Any balljoint replacement tips?

[96stacked&smoken]

Well my balljoints finally went bad and iv never had to change any before so not exactly sure how to go about it. Any tips, tricks, or links?Also thinkin about changin the center u joint. Any info on that? thanks

 

[Stacks92]

Heat is going to be your best friend. Take the wheel off via lug nuts. remove your 4x4lock out assembly, remove the snap rings inside the hub, remove the two nuts, remove the four to six bolts that hold the spindle to the spider, spindle should come off. take off your steering arm. Remove the nuts that hold the ball joints in and nicely tap down on the spider, should come off. Now, for the fun part(if your bushings are bad,which I'm assuming they are.) if you have an air hammer I suggest you use it. Put the chisel end between the collar of the bushing and the axle and hammer it out kinda prying it up while hammering. They should come out. If not heat up the axle slightly and try again. For the ball joints, heat is going to be your best friend along with a good sturdy work bench and vice. Heat up the area around the ball joints so it is nice and warm, not cherry red but a dull red. I opted to beat the old ones out with a punch and heavy hammer. Install the new ones with the correct tool when the spider has cooled. Reassemble everything to correct torque and preload on bearings. Install wheel and torque and you are ready for a road test.

 

[superduty4x4]

A neat trick I learned for doing ball joints if they are being stubborn about releasing from the axle tube...
Get your pickle fork in there and make sure it's snugged up real tight. Bang on the "ear" of the axle tube that the ball joint slides into... the vibrations will help to break it loose. Re-snug the pickle fork as needed, and keep thumping on the axle tube until it pops loose. You might leave one of the nuts threaded onto the stud at least part way so the knuckle doesn't drop on your foot.
Also, if the ball joint studs are spinning while you're trying to loosen or tighten the nut, use a pickle fork, pry bar, screwdriver, etc. and pry between the knuckle and axle tube to put just a little pressure against the ball joint and it should keep it from spinning. Or, you can notch a slot in the top of the stud and use a screwdriver to hold it.

 

[96stacked&smoken]

Thanks. Now i really wish i had a torch.lol Sounds like a job. Is there any place to go for some step by step instructions and pics?

 

[MadDiesel73]

http://www.superdutypsd.com/ball_joint_article.php

http://www.frontiernet.net/~jmray/F250BallJoints.htm

 

[96stacked&smoken]

Thanks

 

[Stacks92]

Another trick if the stud is always turning, put a jack under the spider that houses the ball joints under the bottom ball joint and Jack up on it to "seat" the stud in place.

 

[96stacked&smoken]

Yeah i noticed they tightin up when you do that.