Metric Ball Peen Hammer 
ball joints
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Mount Sunapee, NH
ball joints
I have a 99 ranger 4x4 with bad lower ball joints. How hard would these be to replace myself? What special tools if any do I need to do this job? I have done upper and lowers on a 77 dana 44 so it wouldn't be totally new to me.
Thanks
Jeff
Thanks
Jeff
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 943
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From: Randolph, NJ
I don't think they are that bad. I was going to do them but got convinced to bring it some place. I watched them do it at the place and they did nothing that I wouldn't have done. Basically, they popped the balljoint out of the spindle. This may require disassembling a lot of the suspension (tie rod out of spindle, caliper off of spindle, etc). Then the used a ball joint press similar to the one you can rent at Autozone and an impact gun to press those suckers out of the control arms. Once it was out, they pressed the new Moog K8695T's (with a grease fitting) in and reassembled the suspension. Then they did an alignment. Other than the alignment, I could have done it and saved some bucks. You don't have to move the tire rods, so the alignment will be good enough to get you across town at under 40 to have it redone professionally.
I wouldn't try this job unless you are comfortable with some pain in the butt, grunt labor, chassis work.
-Jim
I wouldn't try this job unless you are comfortable with some pain in the butt, grunt labor, chassis work.
-Jim
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From: Homer, Alaska
My 83 Ranger plow truck is on the jack stands "as we speak". Just hosed all the joints down with wd-40, and I am getting ready to change all 4. I'll let you know how it goes. Other than a couple of expected "busted knuckles", it doesn't look to hard. I think I will chain the springs just in case. I don't think that they can get loose, but it seems like an easy and safe precaution. Updates will be forthcoming. The manual and instructions say not to use any heat to remove the joints because it can take the temper out. I certainly can understand if everything turns cherry red, the temper can be affected, but I really doubt that a small propane torch or heat gun would remove any temper. Heat really works wonders for this type of removal. Any comments?
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Joined: Apr 2004
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replacing ball joints is simple. all u need is a ball joint tool and a press. u gotta take the whole spindle off and brakes apart. then all u do is press the old out and the new in. i did both upper and lower on both sides of my 93' ranger. it only took me bout 2 hrs. overall it wasnt that bad.
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From: Homer, Alaska
Once I fugured out to remove the camber adjuster from the top joint, the bottom one popped out with a couple of smacks with the metric ball peen hammer. I didn't have the ball joint press, so I used the vise and the metric ball peen to install the new ones. Everything went together fine, and the truck is ready for the next snow season. The springs were not an issue. It's not a hard job but kind of messy.
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I replaced mine on my 93 2WD last fall. I just had to buy a ball joint toolkit and the job was completed easily inside 2hrs. You NEED the tool to press the suckers out without a hassle, unless you like hassles. They also need to be pressed in STRAIGHT. The tool helps in a huge way with this. Hope you can pick one up for your job in your area. Keep us posted on how it goes.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Mount Sunapee, NH
I bought the ball joints and can get the ball joint press from auto zone through their free borrowing of it which really helps. But I am starting to wonder if the ball joints really are bad or not. They have 73,000 miles on them with with just normal highyway and city driving, stock tires. Does 73,000 miles sound reasonable for them to be worn out?
Jeff
Jeff
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From: Homer, Alaska
Jack the wheel up and push/pull the tire. You will know immediately if the ball joints are bad. There should be no vertical movement. If there is, it is probably a ball joint, or a loose wheel bearing. You can actually see the joint moving if you look at it while someone else rattles the tires. If they have grease zerks, and you have been squirting grease in them, they are probably ok. Otherwise, it may be time to change them. And you don't absolutely need the ball joint tool to change them, but it makes the job easier. The metric ball peen hammer is an amazingly useful tool!