Ball Joints
 

I'm going to need to replace my ball joints soon and would like to know what kind of job it is. I've never done it before and would like to know what I'm getting in to. Is there anything that usually causes problems when you do it or anything? I mean I watched a how to video, but that's when everything goes perfect and stuff. Thanks for any help.

I had never done it before either, and I tackled it myself last summer. Took me about 5 hours. Go rent a ball joint press tool at autozone or oreilly's. Get a long breaker bar, preferably one you can warranty replace if you break it (I jacked my craftsman one up when I did mine).

Set aside some time and just go slow. You'll need a BFH to knock the knuckles off. I would replace my axle ujoints while I was in there. I didn't, and ended up having to take most everything back off 3 months later when I broke one.

If u are from a northern state with salt on the roads, take it in and pay. Once you are half apart, if one sticks, u are screwed.

This video was helpful to me:

These write-ups helped me:
http://mikestrawbridge.com/blog/2009...erokee-repair/
http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/ball...alljoint-1.htm

And this tool really helped me get the knuckle off and tie rod ends:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-qua...tor-99849.html
http://media.use.com/images/s_2/55c7...d6e5e6d886.jpg

Good luck. It's not rocket science, just hard work. And rent a ball joint press that has a lot of adapters. Watch the video. You will need a couple of washers for the top ball joint since the knuckle is not perfectly square.

Here are some write-up's

• http://www.madxj.com/MADXJ/technical...balljoints.htm
• http://mikestrawbridge.com/blog/2009...erokee-repair/
• http://www.ktioffroad.com/2007/09/02...t-replacement/
• http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/ball...alljoint-1.htm
• http://www.cherokeetech.com/VBull/sh...nt-Replacement

GL.

Oh, part 2 of the above video

TBH, it's not that hard to do, it just may be time consuming but that's perfectly okay when doing the job right. The most difficult part is maybe removing the knuckle, or the wheel bearing assembly (only if it's rusted). All the DIY links should help for sure

Wow thanks for all the great info guys! Yeah I live in north Carolina and don't have much rust but those bolts and joints don't look too friendly either lol. I'll read all the write ups and start gathering tools and parts! Thanks.

Good Luck!

Did mine last weekend. 4 hours on the "learning how much brute force to apply side"

1.5 hours on the passenger side. LOL

Both upper joints came out in pieces and I did not realize I needed to rent the 4 wheel drive auxillary press kit until the installation portion of the job. Azone did not carry it so I had to use the ORielly set.

Oh and one more thing; will pb blasting a couple weeks in advanced help a lot or not that much? Thanks.

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