Upper and Lower Ball Joints
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
It can be a royal PITA! Depends on rust, length of time they've been in etc. start spraying everything with PB Blaster (daily). An impact wrench will help tremendously. Don't forget to buy any swear words you're partial too in BULK, it's cheaper that way. 
. I've done them before, one time it's a piece of cake the next I'm ready blow it up.
I bought the BJ's and TRE's from Summit Racing (moog), best price I could find on them. I was ready to do the install myself, but work got in the way. I called a shop I had used in the past, He quoted me $300 to install BJ's, TRE's and alignment. He had it done in less than 4 hours, well worth the $300 IMO.
. I've done them before, one time it's a piece of cake the next I'm ready blow it up.I bought the BJ's and TRE's from Summit Racing (moog), best price I could find on them. I was ready to do the install myself, but work got in the way. I called a shop I had used in the past, He quoted me $300 to install BJ's, TRE's and alignment. He had it done in less than 4 hours, well worth the $300 IMO.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 250
From: North Texas
I've done my 2wd and it wasn't all that bad. I know 4x4 is a bit different, but I imagine you could do it. Youtube has some how-to videos if you want to see what all is involved and see if you're up to the job or not. Rent a press and buy or rent a fork - comes in handy to break them loose from the knuckle.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 6
You can rent the press from one of the parts stores to get the old ones out. It is definitely worth the savings doing it yourself. There are a ton of how to videos out there, and this forum has a wealth of information from people who have done it. I did all 4 on my excursion in about 6 hours. I got lucky and my dually had them replaced 2 months before I bought it!
the tips about pb blaster are spot on. That goes for pretty much any work on these trucks. Soak it all down good days or weeks before you plan to do them. Repeated soaking and the vibrations from driving will help work it in really good. An impact wrench and air compressor are a necessity almost for the press. Even if you don't have them, buying a decent impact wrench and air compressor will still be way cheaper than paying for them to be done, and you will have other uses for them. IIRC, when I worked at the dealership it was about 2 grand for ball joints. I'm pretty sure that was both sides, but it is still extremely pricey for something that you can do yourself for a few hundred.
if you get into trouble with it, post back and you'll get the help you need.
the tips about pb blaster are spot on. That goes for pretty much any work on these trucks. Soak it all down good days or weeks before you plan to do them. Repeated soaking and the vibrations from driving will help work it in really good. An impact wrench and air compressor are a necessity almost for the press. Even if you don't have them, buying a decent impact wrench and air compressor will still be way cheaper than paying for them to be done, and you will have other uses for them. IIRC, when I worked at the dealership it was about 2 grand for ball joints. I'm pretty sure that was both sides, but it is still extremely pricey for something that you can do yourself for a few hundred.
if you get into trouble with it, post back and you'll get the help you need.
Tuned
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 364
Likes: 65
I had 10 or 12 hours in mine including running around and all. First time I had ever done it. That includes new slide pins, lubing hubs, etc. I ended up getting a big pickle fork and that worked easily. I don't know how the guys on You Tube separate them from the knuckle so easily with a few hammer raps as mine were not that way. I'm sure if you had done it before and had everything you needed right there, its probably a 4 hour job for just ball joints.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
I had 10 or 12 hours in mine including running around and all. First time I had ever done it. That includes new slide pins, lubing hubs, etc. I ended up getting a big pickle fork and that worked easily. I don't know how the guys on You Tube separate them from the knuckle so easily with a few hammer raps as mine were not that way. I'm sure if you had done it before and had everything you needed right there, its probably a 4 hour job for just ball joints.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
It took me a day and a half for one side to do the ball joints, stub axle seals and ujoints in my 4WD. The other side took me 6 hours. I have to replace another one again 5000km later thanks to an alignment shop's mistake which I figure I can do in 4 hours. Practice I guess. I think Ford quoted me 6 hours to do both sides.
I'm new at repairing vehicles so I took my time and most of it was getting things apart. I learned to not be afraid of using a hammer lol. Also, be careful if you do the ujoints while you're in there. I used my ball joint press but it would've crushed the yokes before the ujoints moved. I had to make it tight, hit the yoke with a hammer over and over until they were out. Each time the caps would move 1mm or so.
So if I could do it so can you!
I'm new at repairing vehicles so I took my time and most of it was getting things apart. I learned to not be afraid of using a hammer lol. Also, be careful if you do the ujoints while you're in there. I used my ball joint press but it would've crushed the yokes before the ujoints moved. I had to make it tight, hit the yoke with a hammer over and over until they were out. Each time the caps would move 1mm or so.
So if I could do it so can you!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,277
Likes: 32
From: Blairsville, Pennsylvania
Rent the press. I didn't follow that advice on ONE side. Guess what I did on the other? LOL.
Impact gun, big air compressor.
Fork, etc.
Do you have big tools now? If not, might want to go visit a buddy and use his garage and tools
Impact gun, big air compressor.
Fork, etc.
Do you have big tools now? If not, might want to go visit a buddy and use his garage and tools
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
If you're looking to purchase an impact and start to get tools that will do big jobs like ball joints look at some of the cordless impacts available today like Dewalt XR and Milwaukee fuel. Decide which brand you like and stick with it, once you have several batteries you can buy the bare tools which saves you money. Very often you can buy them brand new off of craigslist or offer up (App). I recently purchased a Dewalt (XR) hammer drill brand new with two big batteries the charger and the drill (brushless)for $80 off of offer up, new they're $300+.
I bring my impact with me when I go off-road in my jeep, whenever we're towing or I'm driving the truck too. Changing a flat tire on the trailer or on the truck on the side of the road using the impact can often be done before most people get the wrenches out.
http://a.co/fEygaTs
I have this one it's a beast, excellent battery life and the ft/Pds of torque are impressive!
DEWALT DCF899B 20V MAX XR Brushless High Torque 1/2" Impact Wrench with Detent Anvil
I bring my impact with me when I go off-road in my jeep, whenever we're towing or I'm driving the truck too. Changing a flat tire on the trailer or on the truck on the side of the road using the impact can often be done before most people get the wrenches out.
http://a.co/fEygaTs
I have this one it's a beast, excellent battery life and the ft/Pds of torque are impressive!
DEWALT DCF899B 20V MAX XR Brushless High Torque 1/2" Impact Wrench with Detent Anvil
- Brushless motor for superior performance
- Heavy-duty impact mechanism with max torque 700 ft./lbs., breakaway torque 1,200 ft./lbs.
- 3-speed selector switch for control
- LED work light
- Battery fuel gauge
Last edited by Colorado350; Dec 2, 2017 at 10:36 AM. Reason: Not sure why it's all bolded but...
New User
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
thanks
