Maryland Cherokee Club
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,035
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From: Mt. Rainier, MD
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by brian0128
Well since we are all on this Jeep talk then I'd like to ask another. Has anyone replaced the upper front axle control arm bushings on their XJ with the diff in place? I still haven't been able to find a write up on this and I plan on doing the job on Sunday over at Fort Meade.
I've read quite a few posts about it and most people agree that the best tool to use is a ball joint press (C-Clamp Style) but I've heard quite a few peopel damaged the passenger side mount. Also, do I have to remove the coil springs to use the ball joint press? If so, what's the easiest way to remove the spring? When I replaced my springs I had the lower control arms completely unbolted so it was easier but I won't be able to do that since I'll be unbolting the uppers.
I've read quite a few posts about it and most people agree that the best tool to use is a ball joint press (C-Clamp Style) but I've heard quite a few peopel damaged the passenger side mount. Also, do I have to remove the coil springs to use the ball joint press? If so, what's the easiest way to remove the spring? When I replaced my springs I had the lower control arms completely unbolted so it was easier but I won't be able to do that since I'll be unbolting the uppers.
You don't need to remove the springs or the control arms to replace your ball joints. Just everything that is attached to the knuckle.
Did you end up going with the Synergy ball joints?
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,716
Likes: 2
From: Bowie, MD
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 0
From: Near the airport by the water
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I've done both. When you press the bushing out and the new one in the passenger side mount reinforce it with something like a socket that's about the same length as the space that's in front of the bushing.
You don't need to remove the springs or the control arms to replace your ball joints. Just everything that is attached to the knuckle.
Did you end up going with the Synergy ball joints?
You don't need to remove the springs or the control arms to replace your ball joints. Just everything that is attached to the knuckle.
Did you end up going with the Synergy ball joints?
I did the ball joints/hubs/U-Joints 2 weekends ago over at Fort Meade. Everything went well for that job. I ended up using XRF Heavy Duty ball joints. They had good reviews over on the Dodge 2500 forums which are known to eat up ball joints yearly.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Rainier, MD
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by brian0128
Where exactly will I put the socket? I was asking about removing springs for this job to fit the ball joint press in the area to get the old bushings out. It looks kind of tight to fit the ball joint press in the area to push the old bushings out.
I did the ball joints/hubs/U-Joints 2 weekends ago over at Fort Meade. Everything went well for that job. I ended up using XRF Heavy Duty ball joints. They had good reviews over on the Dodge 2500 forums which are known to eat up ball joints yearly.
The front of the passenger side mount is open. Put the socket in there directly in front of the bushing to keep the left side from collapsing when you press the old one out, and to keep the right side from collapsing when you press the new one in. You'll know what I'm saying when you look at it.
Last edited by wormdrink; Sep 26, 2012 at 08:10 AM.
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,380
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From: Partlow, va
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 i6, 307 injectors
Originally Posted by XJnewbiegirl
these procomp M/T's dont grip for $hit on wet payment.
im ready for some new tires.
im ready for some new tires.
Originally Posted by mikefrost
On that note anyone in the market for a nice 5" lift?
☠ CF Sheriff ☠
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,197
Likes: 18
From: Aberdeen, MD
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,716
Likes: 2
From: Bowie, MD
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 8,272
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6 HO
Originally Posted by dukie564
I've had both Firestone Destination M/Ts, and now Mickey Thompson MTZs, both have been excellent in the rain/snow/mud/rocks. The MTZs are really hard to break loose.