Ball joint replacement???
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 124
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From: Plymouth US
Ball joint replacement???
Does any one have any tips on how to replace the lower balljoint on an '85 F150 4x4? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time,
Drake
Drake
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 206
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From: Louisville USA
Ball joint replacement???
Dont mean to sound rude, but buy a haynes manual I have one for my 1986 Fords one 4x2 and one 4x4 the 4x2 I did without the haynes manual and it took tons of tools and a torch and about 3 hours, then I got the haynes and did the 4x4 (more complicated) in about one hour.
I have it, I can send you exerps, but I reccomend that you buy it you will use it a lot!
I have it, I can send you exerps, but I reccomend that you buy it you will use it a lot!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,100
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From: Durham
Ball joint replacement???
Remove or loosen the nut on the ball joint, take a hammer and whack the piece that the ball joint is passing through. A big heavy hammer is nice and you can give it a pretty good whack...in fact it usually takes about 4-5 good whacks. When the ball joint falls, then all you have to do is remove the snap ring, replace the ball joint, and bolt it back together.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 4
Ball joint replacement???
If you are doing the lower ball joint you may as well do the upper ones as well . You can the knock the old ones out , But the new ones have to be pressed in & the spindles on both sides have to be removed in order to remove the knuckle . Plus mark the camber adjustment on the top ball joint so it gets put back where it was when you reinstall the knuckle . If you have never done this before a repair manual is a must . Its critical you torque the spindle bolts properly . Those spindle bolts & nuts are fine thread & have to be absolutely clean before you torque them otherwise they will strip .
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 29
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Ball joint replacement???
i have a 92 f-150 4x4, and i just replaced my upper and lower ball joints not too long ago, the hardest part i had was seprating the hub from the spindle so that i could slide the axle out. i believe you have to have the tool to put them in, it looks like a giant c-clamp, i rented mine form oreilly's, you have to put about 250 dollar deposit down but you get it all back. it might be able to do it with out but i think it is worth it to "borrow" theres. i hope some of the info i gave well help you some, if you have any questions just email me at jorgester02(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
matt
matt
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,100
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From: Durham
Ball joint replacement???
Yeah, it is more difficult on the 4X4s and it looks like you need the c-clamp tool to press the ball joints back in. You don't need to press the ball joints in on the 2WDs.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Plymouth US
Ball joint replacement???
Thanks so much guys, after work today I will go out and get the manual and the C-clamp "thingy" press. Hopefully it won't be too cold out Sat.
Thanks again,
Drake
If you have any more tips please let me know.
Thanks again,
Drake
If you have any more tips please let me know.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 4
Ball joint replacement???
Also , If you havent rented the tool yet , Since the knuckle is off the truck , Take them along with the new ball joints to a machine shop & have them pressed in , It takes maybe 20 mins & they dont usually charge that much .
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