Nick Snow

Hi guys, my mechanic is having a hard time getting out the 2 bottom ball joints on my 1989 Jeep Cherokee Laredo.

Is there any special technique that he should apply, he isn't very familiar with this kind of vehicle.

ZJFreak

If your mechanic cant change ball joints, Time to find a new mechaninc

SeriousOffroad

Make sure he's push down on the lowers.....

dave1123

We had problems with one lower on my 97 ZJ. When we pressed it out, the ball blew out the bottom of the joint. We had to torch cut the outer shell to get it out.

Bustedback

Remove the lowers before installing the uppers. With the uppers out slide a drift through the upper hole in the C and hammer the lower joint out.

Nick Snow

THanks guys,

Hey Busted Back, I was having a killer death wobble. that's why i"m changing the ball joints now. Changing all 4 in the hopes that it will resolve the problem. changing the stabilizer bar bushings as well. Do you think that will fix the problem?

JJCIII

Check your steering stabilizer also.

caged

part 1

part 2

Bustedback

The steering stabilizer will not cause or cure death wobble, it will only mask the real problem. Death wobble is caused by worn suspension and steering parts, or steering geometry that is out of wack due to worn parts or suspension modifications.

Red82

Really?
No do not read that. Yes your steering stabilizer will hide your DW, but it won't fix it. It'll actually keep wearing out all your parts while you feel like the problem is resolved.

JJCIII

I somtimes get a wobble when i hit a bump at high speed and anything with play has been changed. It still has the o.e. stabilizer. So for arguments sake if it were a new vehicle with no stabilizer it wont have a death wobble?

Bustedback

The stabilizer is there to help with bump steer, not vibration. Do you still have the factory control arms? The bushings could be worn out.

JJCIII

They are stock arms. The bushings dont have any play and have minimal seperation on the upper rearwards. I do plan on doing the uppers for that reason sometime soon. Also something offtopic, ive heard the 98 zj model group has a tendency to pull to the right which it does. All parts tight with perfect alignment measurements. I then made the caster as negative on the left as i could to no avail. Any thoughts?

Bustedback

Cross the front tires and see if the pull changes direction.

dave1123

IMHO, check your wheel bearings also. Most often overlooked problem.