I have a 94 F150 4x4 with IFS. The factory manual says you need to pull the front differential in order to replace the ball joints. I'm hoping that's not the case. I am going to be pulling the spindles and need advice on how to break them free. They're not rusted just can't get them off and really don't want to use a torch to heat the steering knuckle up.
If anyone has experience doing this project I'd appreciate any tips or advise.
Thanks in advance!

 

You do not have to remove the entire IFS. You will have to remove the hub, spindle and axle shafts, then rent or buy the proper tool to remove the ball joints. There is a good video on you tube showing how it is done and some great write ups on here about rebuilding the front end. I think Encho has one.

 

It's a big enough job, I'd consider replacing everything you can while,it's apart. U joints etc. that away you don't have to do it again

 

I totally agree with OldGrayFord. Do it all while you have it apart.

 

Thanks Guy! I watched a video on the front end. The one I watched shows after you get the spindle off, the axles pull right out??? So it's not like the rear diff. where there is C clips are holding the axles?
That would be great if it means that's all I have to do. I just need to buy the U joints, boot for the spline shaft on the passenger side. Already have spindle bearings, seals, ball joints. I'll clean the case of dirt and grime before pulling axles, can I do the Differential seals as well?
I just did the bearings and wanted to see how involved it was and the factory manual said you had to pull the diff. Didn't make sense, but I've found that sometimes the factory likes to do things the hard way.

I'm fortunate to have all the tools. I just really didn't want to open up the differential if I could avoid it. Still recovering from major back surgery and with out a lift I didn't want to be on the loosing end of a wrestling match with the differential.

 

If I remember correctly from taking mine apart, there's 1. On the passenger side.

 

The pass side has a slip joint in the axle. Remove a clamp from the rubber boot and it will slide apart, leaving the inner u joint attached to the diff. The inner ujoint rarely goes bad, so I would not worry about replacing it. When you put it back together, you should line the inner and outer joints up to avoid vibration when hubs are locked. I just put a zip tie on the boot to replace the factory clamp.

 

Removing the spindle is a real treat. I used about half a can of PB Blaster over a week, made a puller, and still had to heat it. Even then it certainly didn't fall out.

I've seen pullers available for purchase that are based around a slide hammer. Instead, I made mine so that it pushes against the spindle mounting nuts, and is tightened with the large spindle nut on the outside. It worked quite well.

 

I just recently did a front end rebuild on my 96 every seal ujoint and even pivot bushings where replaced I just haven't had the time to do a write up. But the tool to find for those spindles is the special threaded attachment to screw on the end of the spindle that attaches to a slide hammer about five knocks and popeasy as you can get...