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Voodoohax
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/01/2006
19:23:05
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 Subject: Ball joints
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Message:
I've decided to try and some cash and replace these bad boys myself. I've never done ball joints before and I'm lookin for some pointers. Any special tools that I'm gonna need? If someone would post a basic step by step for me that would be awsome. Thanks guys.
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cuzindoug
GenIII
5/01/2006
20:11:20
|  RE: Ball joints
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Message:
That would depend, do you have 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel? The ball joints for my truck (97 2X4) were a pain in the @ss to get off. Make sure you get the Moog joints (greasable) Are you doing uppers and lowers both? If they have been replaced in the past jack truck up, remove tire and rotor(no special tools), then unscrew the 3 to 4 bolts on the control arm and the nut/cotter pin on the ball joint, take a pickle fork and knock the old ball joints out. Replacement is in reverse. If they have never been replaced, jack truck up, remove tire and rotor, grind or shear tops of rivets off and ream, with a 1/2 inch drill bit, area where rivet heads were. Get a heavy hammer and a punch and drive old rivets out. Reinstall new ball joints with the grade 8 nuts and bolts supplied. I have never replaced the joints on a 4X4 so I can't help you there. Make sure you take it to a shop to get an alignment done, unless of course you are Jesus with a ratchet/impact wrench!!:)
So the only special tools you will need will be:
Pickle fork(get a cheap one at any parts store)
Heavy hammer
Punch or drift
Assorted sockets/wrenches
Patience
Rags/Bandaids/Splints(in case you do like me, and miss the punch and hit your finger)
If it doesn't fit, you're using the wrong hammer!
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red
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/01/2006
21:41:31
|  RE: Ball joints
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Message:
The hardest part of this project getting the darn rivets out! First you will need to grind the heads of the rivets off or if you have an air chisel it is much easier. Then start with a small drill bit and drill though the center of the rivet, gradually working up to larger bits. Make sure to have lots of drill bits, because you will go through a bunch of them. Finally get a punch and a large hammer and pound them out! Good luck.
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Voodoohax
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/01/2006
22:11:01
|  RE: Ball joints
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Message:
thanks alot guys, sounds a little over my head though. was hoping for a remove wheel unscrew joints and replace kinda thing. Guess I pay full price, but it sounds like I'm getting a little better deal than some guys on here, $100 bucks a joint. Thanks again.
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J and J Auto
GenII
5/02/2006
04:53:51
| RE: Ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
a ball joint press always makes it esier to get
the bottom out LOL rent 1
Larry
J&J Auto
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zzark
*GenII*
5/02/2006
09:47:37
| RE: Ball joints
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Message:
I did it with no prior experience, but it was a real PITA.
You can borrow from Autozone, all the tools you will need.
Hey, if I can do it, YOU can do it.
And you will save big bucks.
zzark
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Joe M.
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/02/2006
20:13:13
|  RE: Ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
ahahaha cuz doug
"unless of course you are Jesus with a ratchet/impact wrench!"
i enjoyed that! thanks for the laugh bro
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