So I decided to tackle the ball joint job on my '99 today. Get up, got started at 9 am then bam. Brick wall. P/s lockout froze solid. Beat on it a few hours and wiggled it free with a big old pair of channel locks. Great. Tie rod off, hub off. Rust rust rust everywhere. Seals are junk. A buddy brings over his Snap On ball joint press he just bought. It's junk. I know that sounds factious but it's true. How the hell are you supposed to drive the ball joints in straight when the cups you need are cut at 15° angle on the openings??? And first time out if the box, it warps a cup and cracks it. We broke 3 pair of snap ring pliers as well. My halogen work light bulb went out during as well. We're both A/B level techs. We have the ability to change a damn ball joint. Everything we did today fought us every millimeter of the way. On top of that, my lock outs are shot. Driving around with no lockouts is upsetting.

 

Lots of heat on the tie rod ends, ball joints in the freezer for an hour or two. Always a major pita regardless but I'm impressed that you kept you feelings and comments readable to the youth out there.
Take a deep breath and a break. You deserve it.

 

I've never had a issue with Ford balljoints. Remove them with a BFH and use a press to install them.


Now I did some on a 08 Dodge 3500. That was a huge pain. I had to use a tourch to cut the old ball joints out. After that it was easy.

 

We ended up only completing the passenger side yesterday. Going to do the drivers side after my wedding this coming weekend. Hopefully I find a set of Snap ring pliers that'll stand up to these beastly snap rings lol.

 

I feel your pain. My buddy and I rebuilt the entire front end of my '03 this last winter and it involved plenty of stuck parts and frustration. I don't mind the heavy work though and for me there's still no way I'd pay someone else to do the work.

It's invaluable to have a extra set of experienced hands/eyes to help. My buddy and I always laugh and say 'together there's no mechanical job we can't tackle' because sure enough what one of us misses or can't do the other makes look easy. I've been wrenching with my same best friend for nearly 30 years. Good times.

 

Yeah, what's up with the bj press? it's BFH time!

 

I've had the OTC balljoint press for a handful of years and find it to work very well.

 

Use a punch or large/longe flat screwdriver on the bottom snapping on the ball joints. I never use snapping pliers unless it's on the new one going on

 

And just a little FYI for next time, if your truck is that corroded soak the parts with PB blaster ever day for a week in advance

 

Boy, can we relate to that. Between my 2 brothers and myself, we can tackle just about anything and get it fixed.

Nothing better then working with someone you enjoy hanging out with. My younger brother and myself recently split the cases of a YZ450, four stroke motocrosser after a dog in the tranny broke off and wondered over to derail the cam chain. Not to mention a few new valves.

Then it was the YZ250 valve job, boat outdrive rebuild, trailer axle replacement, etc.

Our dad grew up on a farm in central MN, built barns, drilled water wells, and did just about anything that had to be done. Worked with other local farmers, each having a specialty, knowing you just couldn't call a plumber, electrician, or concrete guy. It was you.

We all learned at a young age, to not fear trying to fix a toaster, radio or anything else, after all, it's already broke and can't get much worse.

We've, likewise, worked with our kids too on these projects, trying to instill that same passion and proud to see their results, unfortunately, that they're now a minority.

It's amazing how this newer generation just calls a shop or some other old guy to help fix their issue while they have to answer a text or play an on-line game.

I hope I'm not too pessimistic. After all, I'll need help someday too.