Ball joint help

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Jan 5, 2012 | 05:05 PM

#16

bashby

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Joined: Nov 2005

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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va

You don't need the special socket for a 2wd truck

Jan 5, 2012 | 09:02 PM

#17

blkF250HD

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Joined: Apr 2011

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From: Hartland, WI

I bent a harbor freight one doing mine, along with an Astro brand. A guy at work has a Snap-On one, it'll survive Armageddon. I'm going to be picking up a Mac one within the next few weeks. Lifetime warranty!

Jan 5, 2012 | 09:05 PM

#18

Ole' gray

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Joined: Jan 2012

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From: Missouri

humm, if i used a large wood block to cover the wedge, and made some other peices, would it be possible to do this with a 6ton log splitter? i have no idea why that thought came into my mind, but its just somthing we already own

Jan 5, 2012 | 09:20 PM

#19

GoinBoarding

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Joined: Mar 2010

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From: Laramie, WY

Two wheel drive makes things more simple. No axle u-joints to worry about, no spindle needle bearings, no spindle needle bearing seals, and the rotors aren't burried like on a 4x4 so unless they're trash run em.

I would buy new wheel seals (CarQuest sold me some for $3 each, different truck though) and repack the wheel bearings while you're in their. Tops that might be $20 extra but worth every penny compared to twisting a spindle off the knuckle.

6ton might not be enough, but maybe. Afterall, a log splitter is just a hydraulic press with a wedge on the cylinder. Definitely leave the ball joints in the freezer for a few hours first, I do the same thing with U-joints. The ball joint press these guys are referring to looks like a burly C-Clamp and comes with the right sized cups. The first time I did ball joints I had the factory Ford ball joint press as well as a 30 (?) ton press. I just used the big press. A BFH could work too, its just recommended you use some kind of press.

Jan 5, 2012 | 09:36 PM

#20

Bootlegger's Deluxe

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 1,690

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From: Delhi, Iowa

some sort of a press is going to be required ... doing it with just a hammer requires a steady swing and lots of repetitive force ...

I suppose you could use the splitter ... getting the old ones out isnt the hard part, getting the new ones in is trickier ...

Jan 6, 2012 | 08:29 AM

#21

deeznuts822

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Joined: Feb 2008

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From: ohio

The harbor freight press works ok as long as you dont use an impact on it. Put a lil pressure on it and smack the top with a hammer.

Jan 6, 2012 | 11:05 PM

#22

blkF250HD

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From: Hartland, WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by deeznuts822

The harbor freight press works ok as long as you dont use an impact on it. Put a lil pressure on it and smack the top with a hammer.

Or a large ratchet of any kind. I used a 3' long 1/2" drive Matco ratchet when I did mine, still bent it.

Jan 6, 2012 | 11:49 PM

#23

deeznuts822

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From: ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by blkF250HD

Or a large ratchet of any kind. I used a 3' long 1/2" drive Matco ratchet when I did mine, still bent it.

3'? Damn. I bent my first one pushing out leaf spring bolts with about 4' pipe but the second held up ok. I usually just snug it up and hit that baby with a baby sledge. Done about ten sets of ball joints and about 30 u joints,still goin strong.