ball joint replacement
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Senior User
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From: fort bragg, North Carolin
ball joint replacement
hey yall, Im going to replace the ball joints on my 77 f250 can anyone tell me if I need any special tools or if this is a large procedure? I appreciate any and all advice thanks again!
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You need to remove all the brake, rotor, spindle and axles from one or both sides. Remove the steering knuckle and have a shop press the new ball joints in the knuckle. It is possible to remove them with a big hammer if you have the proper way to support the knuckle to drive them out and then reinstall. You will need a special socket to preload the upper ball joint once you put the knuckle back on the axle. I reccomend you replace the upper/lower ball joints at the same time. I hope this information is useful.
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From: fort bragg, North Carolin
yes thankyou very helpful, I took the tire off today and got a good look at whats going on I had no idea it was that indepth. I was hoping to avoid taking anything to a shop I am wondering if I can reinstall them with a ball joint compressor that they rent at the parts store? To tell you the truth I am just assuming the problem is ball joints, my passenger side tire is cocked outward and the ball joint dust cover is all ratted and squashed and the upper joint seems to be touching the back of the steering knuckle, what do you think, ball joints right? thanks for the help
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Hattiesburg, MS
Yep, it sounds like a ball joint. You can change them with the "C" style press. However, you will also need the special 4 prong ball joint socket and a torque wrench to set the proper pre-load.
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It sounds like there my be another issue with what you described in the thread. Jack up the passenger side and place a jack stand under the axle. Have another person grab the tire top and bottom to check for movement. If it has slop at the top were the knuckle bolts to the axle the tapered adjustment sleeve may be damaged. I have seen 3 axles damaged beyond repair and the housing needed to be replaced. It is a fairly time consuming job to do but you learn about your truck and may save some money in the long run.
Matt
67 F-250 4x4
73 Crew 4x2 (4x4 Soon)
Matt
67 F-250 4x4
73 Crew 4x2 (4x4 Soon)
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From: Aurora CO
i was going to do mine till i researched it some. then decided to take it so a shop.
just got all 4 done yesterday. $450
just got all 4 done yesterday. $450
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From: fort bragg, North Carolin
thanks all for helping me replace my ball joints, I rented the tool and did them today! I have a problem though, when I took the axl out I noticed that the housing was filled with greasy mud, the guy that owned the truck used it for mudding. does anyone know how to clean this crap out before it destroys the gears? thanks
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From: Hattiesburg, MS
There is an inner seal that keeps the mud out of the differential. Having a little bit of junk in the tubes is no big deal. However, if the seals are leaking.....NOW would be the time to replace them. It's a pretty painless process. However, there is a special tool to install them. You can install them without the tool.....but it can be tricky. Check out Broncograveyard. They have the seals and the tools.
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From: Hattiesburg, MS
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From: fort bragg, North Carolin
Thanks HB81 I just came up with an idea, im gonna take the diff cover off clean it out and get a toilet scrubber brush cut the handle off and tie a semi rigid cable to the scrub end and make a bore snake for my axl housing I am thinking this might get all the gunk out of the tube without pushing it into the gears??? what do ya think?
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