Ball joints
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 17
Used Moog myself, no complaints so far.
4wd, 2wd? There's some tips and things to look for when doing the 4wd. Mine also ended up taking an entire weekend, both 12+ hour days. I did mine at 260,000 miles however so take that with a grain of salt.
If 4wd, expect axle seals. You can make the tool yourself for about $20 from Lowe's and about 30 minutes (I only had an angle grinder so it took forever to cut the flange down).
4wd, 2wd? There's some tips and things to look for when doing the 4wd. Mine also ended up taking an entire weekend, both 12+ hour days. I did mine at 260,000 miles however so take that with a grain of salt.
If 4wd, expect axle seals. You can make the tool yourself for about $20 from Lowe's and about 30 minutes (I only had an angle grinder so it took forever to cut the flange down).
!["Phatman"'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%23d1ad97' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>"</text></svg>)
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Senior User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 172
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Thank guys... Yes it's 4wd 221000 miles. I figured it would take some time. Hopefully not 2 days but if so... So be it. Will also have to look into this special tool so I can have it on deck lol.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,595
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In the sticky links up top of this forum there's a tech folder. I followed the second link for ball joints, and inside THAT there's a link to what you need for your own axle seal tool 
There's also a pretty comprehensive list of part numbers for items that you may want to replace, such as the axle seals.
There's also a pretty comprehensive list of part numbers for items that you may want to replace, such as the axle seals.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
In the sticky links up top of this forum there's a tech folder. I followed the second link for ball joints, and inside THAT there's a link to what you need for your own axle seal tool
There's also a pretty comprehensive list of part numbers for items that you may want to replace, such as the axle seals.
There's also a pretty comprehensive list of part numbers for items that you may want to replace, such as the axle seals.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
with such a labor intensive task to install them I have never been willing to risk using anything but the known quality of Spicer ball joints.
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 402
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From: Burlington, Maine
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 458
Likes: 2
From: The Northwoods, Wisconsin
XRF are quality pieces. Once you do the first side, the second is much easier. I bought the seal tool. I don't have a good way to have pipe machined. I know it is right and worked super easy. I did the hub, ujoint, brakes all seals, steering linkage, redhead and brake lines. I am confident I could drive anywhere in the US I might need with just an oil change.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 402
Likes: 1
From: Burlington, Maine
Everything on the front of my rig was still very tight, except the DS upper ball joint. I just did all ball joints and seals since I had to tear things down anyway - if you're gonna do one side, might as well hit both sides and do a complete job. The ball joints that were on it were Moog, so they had been replaced at some point. I liked what I'd read about the XRF pieces, so to me they were a no-brainer.
My front axle u-joints were in very good shape, as were the front drive shaft. The rear drive shaft... lets just say I have a little squeaky noise coming from under the truck every now and then. I have the joints, just have to find the time to swap them - really soon since I'm going to Maine in a month.
My front axle u-joints were in very good shape, as were the front drive shaft. The rear drive shaft... lets just say I have a little squeaky noise coming from under the truck every now and then. I have the joints, just have to find the time to swap them - really soon since I'm going to Maine in a month.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2015
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Everything on the front of my rig was still very tight, except the DS upper ball joint. I just did all ball joints and seals since I had to tear things down anyway - if you're gonna do one side, might as well hit both sides and do a complete job. The ball joints that were on it were Moog, so they had been replaced at some point. I liked what I'd read about the XRF pieces, so to me they were a no-brainer.
My front axle u-joints were in very good shape, as were the front drive shaft. The rear drive shaft... lets just say I have a little squeaky noise coming from under the truck every now and then. I have the joints, just have to find the time to swap them - really soon since I'm going to Maine in a month.
My front axle u-joints were in very good shape, as were the front drive shaft. The rear drive shaft... lets just say I have a little squeaky noise coming from under the truck every now and then. I have the joints, just have to find the time to swap them - really soon since I'm going to Maine in a month.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 402
Likes: 1
From: Burlington, Maine
eBay is where I got mine - complete set for less than Autozone wanted for just one side.
If you don't have the removal/installation tools, rent them from Advance or Autozone. DO NOT buy the crap Harbor Freight sells. That crappy set slowed me down almost a whole day just trying to get them to work right...
If you don't have the removal/installation tools, rent them from Advance or Autozone. DO NOT buy the crap Harbor Freight sells. That crappy set slowed me down almost a whole day just trying to get them to work right...
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Senior User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
eBay is where I got mine - complete set for less than Autozone wanted for just one side.
If you don't have the removal/installation tools, rent them from Advance or Autozone. DO NOT buy the crap Harbor Freight sells. That crappy set slowed me down almost a whole day just trying to get them to work right...
If you don't have the removal/installation tools, rent them from Advance or Autozone. DO NOT buy the crap Harbor Freight sells. That crappy set slowed me down almost a whole day just trying to get them to work right...
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 4
From: North Texas
FWIW, I used the harbor freight ball joint press, there were two to choose from and I got the bigger of the two, but I did have to make some custom spacers to get the joints seated all the way, and to press them on the correct location. I believe I used a few different sizes of outer races from other bearings and cut to create the spacers.
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