Ball Joints!!!
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Southern IL
Ball Joints!!!
Alright i know my ball joints are out, fun, fun. Ive replace them before on my 00 superduty but now its time to replace on my 02. when i did it on my 00 it required a cutting torch however i realized after i finished i could have done it an easyer way. well ive slept since then. ok so far ive removed everything down to the spindle part that the ball joints are pressed into. but the main question i have is how is the best way to take out the axle shaft with u joint. last time i screwed up the seal that is pressed onto the shaft and i dont want to dick it up this time.
Is it even possible to take out the axle shaft without pulling it out of that seal its pressed into? thanks
Is it even possible to take out the axle shaft without pulling it out of that seal its pressed into? thanks
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
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Originally Posted by dieselaholic
Is it even possible to take out the axle shaft without pulling it out of that seal its pressed into? thanks
I was told by a guy that does a lot of these that if you take the shaft out in this manner, you can re-use the seal. I chose not to.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Originally Posted by dieselaholic
now KelVarnson, you're talking about the seal there on the end of the axle tube right? what about the next seal outward, the one between the u joint and the wheel bearing?
When I did the other side of the truck, I tried sticking a couple of big screwdrivers into the end of the axle tube at 45 degree angles, and if I recall correctly, picking up the lip just behind where the little seal presses on.
I pried the shaft outward, using the end of the axle tube as a fulcrum, and "pop" the whole axle came sliding out, with the big seal still attached. It literally took about 20 seconds. I didn't take a really close look at that seal, as I was going to replace it anyway, but I don't recall it being obviously mangled. And, I have since talked to a local guy that does a lot of these ball joint jobs on Superduties, and he said that he generally doesn't replace the big seal. He also confirmed the method I used.
I wish I could have the 45 minutes of my life back that I spent trying to dislodge that first seal. Good luck, and let me know how it goes.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Plainfield, IL
Well atleast you guys have gotten that far. I got stuck on getting the main hubs off. What is the best way to get them off?
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Originally Posted by yamaguy
Well atleast you guys have gotten that far. I got stuck on getting the main hubs off. What is the best way to get them off?
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Originally Posted by dieselaholic
so i guess theirs no way i can even reuse that old seal? repress it on or anything?
The old seal may not seat properly and could work loose. The sealing lip could be worn allowing contaminates, water, dirt, etc. into the bearings.
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From: Plainfield, IL
Originally Posted by jbrunel
When i did mine the drivers side lower left bolt was rust welded pretty bad so after 3 hrs of trying everything (large 3 jaw puller,1/2" impact driver and 20lb sledge hammer) to bang it off ...I got out my sawzall and just cut the bitch right off..Got a repacement stud from ford for about 4 bucks
Last edited by yamaguy; Jan 27, 2008 at 02:50 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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Originally Posted by yamaguy
Well atleast you guys have gotten that far. I got stuck on getting the main hubs off. What is the best way to get them off?
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From: Southern IL
well KelVarnson, you were right. that was a peice of cake but now ive got another problem. ive got it torn down all the way to were im trying to get the ball joints beat out of the axle. Ive got the top one broke free and the bushing out but i cant get the bottom one out on either side. If youve got any suggestions please help.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Stuttgart, Ar
This write up is in the tech folder: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...-joints-4.html
It should be almost everything you wanted to know about ball joint replacement in a superduty.
It should be almost everything you wanted to know about ball joint replacement in a superduty.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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or how about a ball joint guide i made:....
Also I pop my front axle shafts out by prying on the U joint - it works for me
The seal on the front of my truck was replaced and since then I have had those axle shafts out at least 3 times and the seal is just fine and dandy
The seal is sometimes called the main knuckle seal, or "main seal"
anyway... heres the link
http://www.angelfire.com/fang/mercury/ball.pdf
pm me if you need help or i will try to check this thread
kenny
Also I pop my front axle shafts out by prying on the U joint - it works for me
The seal on the front of my truck was replaced and since then I have had those axle shafts out at least 3 times and the seal is just fine and dandy
The seal is sometimes called the main knuckle seal, or "main seal"
anyway... heres the link
http://www.angelfire.com/fang/mercury/ball.pdf
pm me if you need help or i will try to check this thread
kenny