Mine are getting sloppy. Never done them but they look pretty straight forward.

I pretty much just press the old ones out then press the new ones in correct?

Think I'd be alright buying one (a press) from harbor freight or would you recommend one from amazon?

 

Don't you guys can rent these sort of things at one of the auto part stores, like for free ?(deposit return upon return item)?

 

I got my press from hf and I've had it for a long time ball joints are easy to do with the right tools just like you said press out the old and press in the new ones.

 

Ya there not so bad to do,done mine a few weeks back and only took about 3-4 hours with only hand tools(my air compressor blew a head gasket) I went with the factory Dana replacements from seriousoffroadproducts and couldn't be happier,100$ and only took like 4 days to get to my door.

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...30-And-Dana-44

 

X2 on borrowing from AZ or Oreily... unless you're rich, and looking fr another tool to add to the stockpile, you hardly use them enough to actually own a set...

Also, this operation HIGHLY depends on where you live...

3-4 hours is if you live somewhere in the south. I live in michigan... everything was rust-bonded together.
I tried mine till I broke some tools then paid 200 to have a shop do it. They had to cut them out with a torch. It all depends on the condition of your jeep.

 

Couple tricks on ball joint installation.

1. Make certain you are pressing in the right direction and circlips (if it has any) are removed.
2. Make certain everything is lined up straight (most important) there are adapters that help line up bad angles.
3. If the above is in order and they still won't budge, use a small sledge on the metal around the ball joint. The shock of the hit 9 times out of 10 will get the ball joint moving.
4. If all else fails break out the smoke wrench followed by the small sledge.

 

Best place to buy the Spicer Ball joints with free shipping ($39.22 a set):



Make sure you choose the Amazon sold option. That will drop the price to $39.22 with free shipping.

 

Those are the ones and way I bought them also. Even though spicer is China now I think they still are pretty good

 

I'd "rent" the tool rather than buy. You pay a deposit (the tools cost) and then return it for a full refund. For stuff you don't use often, its better to do it this way. I find the Advance Auto tool set is better than the Auto Zone one.

You'll need to rent an axle nut socket as well. I know some folks just take the entire axle shaft out, but I find it easier to re-install the passenger side axle shaft if the bearing isn't attached.

You'll also need a cheater bar or impact wrench and some good sized sockets, about 30-32 mm or the inch equivalents.

 

Thanks for the replies. Just went ahead and bought two sets from amazon (thanks for that link!).

Going to go to my local advance auto and see if they have the tool to rent.

Have access to shop air, air tools, cutting torch, etc. I was just lacking in the ... err knowledge department.

Thanks again.

 

I rented from Advanced Auto... no time frame, $175 and a very good tool. Once you're done, even 9 months later, you bring it back as long as you have your receipt.


I used all MOOG up-front except for the axle u's. They're Spicer.


That tool comes in real handy for everything... u-joints, bushings, bearings... everything!


I don't know about the quality from HF, I've heard some guys have broken them... but the one I got from AA is tops!


Good Luck... and Youtube ball-joint install for how it's done.


JR

 

I bought the advanced master kit. In my opinion It's as good as snap on or Kent more.

 

Just a note - if yours are THAT rusty, perhaps consider just getting a steering knuckle off ebay. I got one off a TJ for $40, sprayed it black, and just swapped out the whole knuckle with some new moog ball joints. $40 was well worth it for what was really the only substantial rust on the entire jeep - the driver's side steering knuckle (and shock, which actually just blew the other day cuz it was so rusty and so I replaced the front ones) - the front left of the jeep took a lot of weather with how it must have sat for years.