Lower Ball Joints - Replacing
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Cross-Country
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Lower Ball Joints - Replacing
I am about to replace the lower ball joints on my 98 F150 4wd.
Question - how likely will I be able to do this at home using a c-clamp type removal tool to press the ball joint out of the lower control arm ?
In other words - does the press fit usually require taking the whole arm off to have it pressed out on a press in a shop ?
Question - how likely will I be able to do this at home using a c-clamp type removal tool to press the ball joint out of the lower control arm ?
In other words - does the press fit usually require taking the whole arm off to have it pressed out on a press in a shop ?
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Duluth, MN
You can get the lower ball joints out with a BFH. Just removed the spindle from both control arms and set it aside on the floor. Make sure to hit squarely on the ball joint(so as not to mushroom it out). Give her a few HARD raps and she'll fall right out. sand any marks made during the removal and clean the control arm with a rag. then press the new ball joint back in with the ball joint install press. easy as pie... with practice you can have each side done in under half hour....
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Cross-Country
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Thanks Wilber, So, the install press is that c - shaped tool with a nut driven screw right ? ( I think Kragen rents it for $6 / Day )
Did you use oil on the new one to make the press install easier ?
Did you use oil on the new one to make the press install easier ?
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Anti -sieze
Originally Posted by tim.moman
Use a little anti-sieze to lubricate for putting back it. Oil squeezes out at high pressure, where the A-S will not.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Pismo Beach
i have heard that sticking the ball joints in the freezer helps put them in too. Does that really work or is that like an urban legend?? I am getting ready to do the same job as soon as all of the parts come in.
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Laughing Gas
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From: DC
Originally Posted by Myfirstnewtruck
i have heard that sticking the ball joints in the freezer helps put them in too. Does that really work or is that like an urban legend??
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freezing bearings make them shrink a couple thousands to slip inside a housing. it does owrk... you dont need that on the ball joints. the rented c-press is very strong. it will push the old joint out (remove the snap ring first). clean the bore and seat area with a wire brush and then wipe it off. the press will push the new ball joint in no problem. Once you do it with the press, i dont think you will use a hammer again.
Last edited by steve(ill); Mar 5, 2008 at 06:35 PM. Reason: spelling
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I gave it a try today . Rented a nice press tool set from the local Kragen and tore into the drivers side . When I got to the lower joint the press tool wouldn't budge it .
I put enough pressure on it to dent the top , plenty of penetrating oil and a few raps with the hammer - no luck ...... I gave up and reassembled it .
I've heard that sometimes the lower arm needs to pulled and the joint pressed out on a shop press. Sometimes a man needs to know his limitations and not wind up with an unfixable mess in the garage.
I put enough pressure on it to dent the top , plenty of penetrating oil and a few raps with the hammer - no luck ...... I gave up and reassembled it .
I've heard that sometimes the lower arm needs to pulled and the joint pressed out on a shop press. Sometimes a man needs to know his limitations and not wind up with an unfixable mess in the garage.
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From: Louisville, Kentucky
Originally Posted by steve(ill)
freezing bearings make them shrink a couple thousands to slip inside a housing. it does owrk... you dont need that on the ball joints. the rented c-press is very strong. it will push the old joint out (remove the snap ring first). clean the bore and seat area with a wire brush and then wipe it off. the press will push the new ball joint in no problem. Once you do it with the press, i dont think you will use a hammer again.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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Hey all,
2001 F150 4.6 manual. I am having a hell of a time getting the lower ball joint out. At first I think I was using it wrong...trying to push it up instead of down. Now I've got it set up right, I think, pushing it toward the ground instead of up toward the truck. I removed snap ring, and have the receiving tube around the ballnut stud. Does this sound correct? The directions with the tool suck and I'm getting pretty frustrated.
2001 F150 4.6 manual. I am having a hell of a time getting the lower ball joint out. At first I think I was using it wrong...trying to push it up instead of down. Now I've got it set up right, I think, pushing it toward the ground instead of up toward the truck. I removed snap ring, and have the receiving tube around the ballnut stud. Does this sound correct? The directions with the tool suck and I'm getting pretty frustrated.
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Well, I got it figured out and for the benefit of others, here's what happened:
You have to be careful about which size "receiver" cup you use with the ball joint press. My problem was that the cup was hitting the edge of the outer ring on the side of the ball nut stud and I never realized it.. I wacked the ball joint forever and got no results because the clamp was, in essence, holding the ball joint in place because of the contact with that outer ring. So just make sure you look to ensure that the receiver is in direct contact with the control arm. I wacked my ball joint so hard that, like jvaski, I put a big **** dent in it. Was super frustrated until I figured it out. Got one side replaced today, with another on the agenda tommorrow. Maybe then I'll pass safety inspection. Been several months but haven't had any sirens bare down on me yet!
Carl
You have to be careful about which size "receiver" cup you use with the ball joint press. My problem was that the cup was hitting the edge of the outer ring on the side of the ball nut stud and I never realized it.. I wacked the ball joint forever and got no results because the clamp was, in essence, holding the ball joint in place because of the contact with that outer ring. So just make sure you look to ensure that the receiver is in direct contact with the control arm. I wacked my ball joint so hard that, like jvaski, I put a big **** dent in it. Was super frustrated until I figured it out. Got one side replaced today, with another on the agenda tommorrow. Maybe then I'll pass safety inspection. Been several months but haven't had any sirens bare down on me yet!
Carl