2000 XJ 4WD. I am pressing in my upper ball joint on the right side and I feel like I am getting a bit more resistance on this side than I did the left. There is maybe about 1/8" of the ball joint left to be pressed in. At first I thought that maybe I pressed it in crooked, but looking it, the gap looks pretty uniform around the joint.






Before I just go cranking on the press some more and break something, I thought I would get some feedback from the CF crew. I guess my biggest question is, if I do crank too hard and something breaks, what are the odds I will break the ball joint versus the housing on the axle versus something else? I put grease on both the ball joint and the housing for it, and it went in easy for most of the way, but the last little bits seems pretty stiff.

I would try putting the press under as much pressure as you are comfortable with (not near where you fear breakage), then heat the "C" (not the joint) gently with a torch. It might just suck it in. Some hammer taps to the same area might jolt it past whatever friction is holding it up. When I do these I like to lube them, then stick them in the freezer. They go in pretty easy that way and you don't have to worry about damaging anything with the heat.

Good luck

Dang, that is really clever, I wish I had though of that before! Lol, do you have any secrets for pushing the ball joint back out without damaging it? In case I need to take it out and try the freezer idea.

It is very difficult to break the housing. The ball joint will break first. I know this because I once tried taking out ball joint the wrong way. I didn't realize I was pushing the wrong way and just kept cranking away until the stud broke thru the cap.

I would say, just make sure nothing is binding on the press or the cap. Then crank away. If you have a painters heat gun, you could try to heat up the ring of the housing. Make it real hot and then press it. That may facilitate the final turn.

Oxy acetylene for all things.

You want direct, pointed heat to the C

I've never had to heat anything like this to install parts. Not saying it's wrong to do but it's not something I have had to do.

I do the tighten then smack everything with a hammer then tighten then smack. Works well in my experience especially with U joint installs. Dont be afraid and dont use a little hammer

I use freezer and a little heat one mine also freezer worked great on the control arm bushing also. I learned this trick back in the 80's while taking automotive mechanics while knocking in a cylinder sleeve in.

I've heard, but not tried, that using a cooler full of dry ice works even better. As if I needed another reason to run to the local beer distributor...

I had no issues pressing mine in. I did not freeze them or need a hammer. I cleaned the hole with low grit sandpaper, cant remember what grit but just enough to remove any surface rust. Then used a light coat of chassis grease and an angled adapter kit to press them in. Like butter.
You can try the heat and hammer, but i would remove the balljoint and make sure the bore is clean. Being a press fit, it doesnt take much to bind up. And check the entire circumference of the balljoint to be sure it is infact going in straight.