Ball joint tools
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 6
Ball joint tools
I also posted this question in the general Superduty section, but would like to get your guys' opinion as well...
I'm trying to make sure I have ALL the necessary tools to complete my upper/lower ball joint replacement. Here is everything I think I will need:
-3 Jaw pullers for hub & sway bars:
4 Piece Three-Jaw Puller Set
-Ball joint press kit (Do I need a special Ford adapter for this particular kit?):
Four Wheel Drive Ball Joint Service Kit
Possibly this OTC adapter (Do I absolutely need this? I'd rather not spend an additional $60):OTC Tools 6731 - OTC Ford Ball Joint Adapter Upgrade Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com
-Pickle forks:
Grip-On Tools 5-Pc. Pickle Fork Kit, Model# 21318 | Ball Joint, Bearing + Gear Repair | Northern Tool + Equipment
Out of the ordinary sockets:
-1/2 drive 33mm socket
- 1/2 drive 21mm socket
- 1/2 drive 13/16" socket (for ball joint press)
- 1/2 drive 1-1/8" socket
-Home made knuckle seal tool:
Ford Super Duty Knuckle Seal Tool - AKA OTC 6695 | Superdutypsd.com
-Beefy impact wrench. It's time for me to upgrade, and was hoping to find a good used one on ebay. Any suggestions (make/model #)?
Anything else?
I'm trying to make sure I have ALL the necessary tools to complete my upper/lower ball joint replacement. Here is everything I think I will need:
-3 Jaw pullers for hub & sway bars:
4 Piece Three-Jaw Puller Set
-Ball joint press kit (Do I need a special Ford adapter for this particular kit?):
Four Wheel Drive Ball Joint Service Kit
Possibly this OTC adapter (Do I absolutely need this? I'd rather not spend an additional $60):OTC Tools 6731 - OTC Ford Ball Joint Adapter Upgrade Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com
-Pickle forks:
Grip-On Tools 5-Pc. Pickle Fork Kit, Model# 21318 | Ball Joint, Bearing + Gear Repair | Northern Tool + Equipment
Out of the ordinary sockets:
-1/2 drive 33mm socket
- 1/2 drive 21mm socket
- 1/2 drive 13/16" socket (for ball joint press)
- 1/2 drive 1-1/8" socket
-Home made knuckle seal tool:
Ford Super Duty Knuckle Seal Tool - AKA OTC 6695 | Superdutypsd.com
-Beefy impact wrench. It's time for me to upgrade, and was hoping to find a good used one on ebay. Any suggestions (make/model #)?
Anything else?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Hanover, PA
you can rent the master front end suspension toolkit from advanced auto it has the short sleeve you can use for the ford.
replacr your hub o rings n check for vacuum lines for the 4 wheel drive. I also service the needle bearings....
replacr your hub o rings n check for vacuum lines for the 4 wheel drive. I also service the needle bearings....
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 183
Likes: 27
From: Northern CA
I am not sure what I was trying to seperate but of the size but my largest pickle fork was not wide enough when I did mine. I would look for the largest one I could find. Maybe someone else has a source for the correct one.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 0
From: Grand Bay, Al
i havent done the ball joints on my f250 but on all the other ball joints ive done i didnt use the fork. i turned the wheel to one side and hit the spindle (rite at the ball joint) with a 3lbs hammer. if they have tension on they they usually come rite out
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 718
Likes: 2
From: Chattanooga, TN
NITRO,
Take one of your ball joints (lower is largest) and see which pickle fork fits that one.
I purchased some time back the IR impact: 1/2" drive with 1000 ft-lbs torque; Mdl IR2135QTIMAX.
It is light weight and a strong tool.
The Advance Auto kit (large one) will have all the required sleeves.
Not a bad job, but a little time consuming and some grunt work.
Very satisfying considering the money you will be saving.
Take one of your ball joints (lower is largest) and see which pickle fork fits that one.
I purchased some time back the IR impact: 1/2" drive with 1000 ft-lbs torque; Mdl IR2135QTIMAX.
It is light weight and a strong tool.
The Advance Auto kit (large one) will have all the required sleeves.
Not a bad job, but a little time consuming and some grunt work.
Very satisfying considering the money you will be saving.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 4
From: Blaine, TN
It's not too bad of a job. I've got it down to 1 1/2 to do 1 side from start to finish. I don't use the ball joint press, I've got a round stock piece I hardened to use as a punch, and an old worn out 3/4 impact socket I had that I used to just punch the old joints out, all of the ones i've done so far came out pretty easy. The only thing I usually run into a problem with is getting the knuckle loose, I usually put a pickle fork on it to keep some tension downward on it, and beat it off with a 3lb sledge.
As the others mentioned It is a good time to service the needle bearing and vacuum hub.
You will also need a large set of snap ring pliers, The ones with the round tit on the end, not the flat end ones, for the snap ring on the axle shaft.
As the others mentioned It is a good time to service the needle bearing and vacuum hub.
You will also need a large set of snap ring pliers, The ones with the round tit on the end, not the flat end ones, for the snap ring on the axle shaft.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 6
Anyone want to sell me their homemade seal press? No where locally sells 1-1/4" threaded pipe, a flange & cap. I would gladly pay $20+ shipping...
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 6
NITRO,
Take one of your ball joints (lower is largest) and see which pickle fork fits that one.
I purchased some time back the IR impact: 1/2" drive with 1000 ft-lbs torque; Mdl IR2135QTIMAX.
It is light weight and a strong tool.
The Advance Auto kit (large one) will have all the required sleeves.
Not a bad job, but a little time consuming and some grunt work.
Very satisfying considering the money you will be saving.
Take one of your ball joints (lower is largest) and see which pickle fork fits that one.
I purchased some time back the IR impact: 1/2" drive with 1000 ft-lbs torque; Mdl IR2135QTIMAX.
It is light weight and a strong tool.
The Advance Auto kit (large one) will have all the required sleeves.
Not a bad job, but a little time consuming and some grunt work.
Very satisfying considering the money you will be saving.
I'm just hoping I dont have to pay someone to do this. I only have a week timeframe to do this on a busy schedule between when I get the parts & when I'm leaving for a 3000 mile road trip...
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
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Likes: 50
thats how i roll bud, but if your not try'n to "save" the ball joints, guess the pickle fork will work then.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 6
I'm in San Luis Obispo, CA. I'm also open to the idea of paying someone to do this job if anyone here wants to make a few bucks.
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