Howdy folks. 91 Ranger 2wd. Got new balljoints for er, cause with almost 315,000 miles on the original ones, they're pretty wore out.

I went out earlier and just played around a little, taking the nut off the bottom ball joint, and loosening the "clamp" up around the camber adjuster on the top of the upper ball joint, got a punch and a hammer, and tried to see if I could break the spindle loose (didn't want to do a full out job tonight... probably this weekend I will though!) I couldn't get er to budge, so I came inside and looked at my Ford service Bible. It says to remove the camber adjuster, but I haven't ever had to do that on any other vehicles. Shouldn't the spindle assembly just come apart with a couple of smacks on the upper ball joint? Maybe I should apply a lot more heat than I did...?

Also, once I do get the spindle assembly off, do I need anything special to remove the ball joints? Usually I just use an old 1 inch socket and a hammer and that pops em out. Anything special I should need there? Again, take into consideration that the truck is 15 years old, and has almost 315,000 miles on er. Rust probably will play a huge factor! Thank ya kindly ahead of time for your reguards!

 

those things are "pressed in" and with years of use only jesus can move them.. lol nah you need a press to get them out. most auto part stores sell a C-clamp "looking" device that cups the joints on one side and as your turn the screw it "presses" it out.

edit- also some times you have the heat the area around the joint (not the joint it self) to expand it away from it. so it makes life easier. and as with any torch note what you are doing not to set you, your ride, or house on fire.

 

Thank ya for the response! I did the ones in my F-150 last year, and it was a pain. Again, original ball joints. They had to be pressed out.

I've got an 12 inch C clamp. It's from Harbor Freight (Cheap tools), but think it'll do the job? What kind of "locking" device do you recommend I get? Will they know what I'm talking about when I go in there?

 

your gonna need a ball joint press its a scecial tool i looks like a c clamp but it has a bolt head on the one side and a large circle that goes on the oneside of the ball joint. go and rent one or buy one about $90 or so. also buy a or rent a tourch. the little oxygen and mapp gas ones will work. heat the area then press the ball joint out. it will make a big diffrence with heat. get it nice and cherry red. you might want to get a impact to use on the clamp bolt or a really long rench.

if you buy this ball joint press it also works for u joints.

 

I've got a propane torch, so I think I can heat em up pretty good and try a big hammer/socket. If not, I have access to a press.

 

I did a set on a 91 4x2 ranger. About a week before I decided to pull em apart, I soaked the ball joints with penetrating oil. The clamp bolts on the uppers loosened with no problem as in New England we have a lot of rust build up. One thing I don't agree with is using heat on the spindles to loosen up the ball joints. Most directions I have read advise not to do so. I took the spindle off with the ball joints attached and then pressed them out. After using penetrate they came out easy. If you want to add to your tool collection, Harbor Freight usually has their ball joint remover/installer on sale. It has a very heavy duty clamp and adapters. The only problem is getting the proper ball joints as the service manuals and online suppliers use generic diagrams and don't show the upper ball joint (on a 4x2) that uses the pinch bolt setup, most show the threaded type and show them as being pressed into the axle, not the spindle.