So I checked my ball joints.......

mtbdemon · **Joined:** Fri Aug 24, 2012 5:15 pm **Posts:** 179

I checked these today when replacing my brake pads. The passenger side were pretty loose, but driver side had no slop.
So, I assume both should be replaced at the same time, but more curious if this is something a simple mechanic can do or is this a job for the professionals?

Thanks!
Ken

mass-hole · **Posted:** Tue Sep 23, 2014 9:58 am

mtbdemon wrote:

I checked these today when replacing my brake pads. The passenger side were pretty loose, but driver side had no slop.
So, I assume both should be replaced at the same time, but more curious if this is something a simple mechanic can do or is this a job for the professionals?

Thanks!
Ken

I think they need to be pressed out, so I guess that would be the biggest hurdle, having access to a press.

tom0826 · **Joined:** Wed Sep 24, 2014 11:24 pm **Posts:** 1

I've done numerous ball joint replacements with a ball joint press from harbor freight. I would say very do-able for the home mechanic. Harder than a brake job, easier than a clutch job if that gives you a sense of difficulty.
The press is 80 bucks plus tax and shipping.
http://www.harborfreight.com/ball-joint ... 60827.html

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Thu Sep 25, 2014 12:09 am

They have got to be easier than the ball joints on the GMT 400's. The Cheap ball joint presses should handle these little guys with ease.

I've also bought a lot of tools on Ebay and other auctions.

JeepMorrison · **Joined:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:34 am **Posts:** 1236

Easy to do ball joints, hardest part is figuring out how the press works

Sent with the power of children's screams!!!

mightybeet · **Posted:** Tue Oct 28, 2014 11:01 pm

tom0826 wrote:

I've done numerous ball joint replacements with a ball joint press from harbor freight. I would say very do-able for the home mechanic. Harder than a brake job, easier than a clutch job if that gives you a sense of difficulty.
The press is 80 bucks plus tax and shipping.
http://www.harborfreight.com/ball-joint ... 60827.html

does this kit have all the right adapters for lbj?

JeepMorrison · **Joined:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:34 am **Posts:** 1236

mightybeet wrote:

tom0826 wrote:

I've done numerous ball joint replacements with a ball joint press from harbor freight. I would say very do-able for the home mechanic. Harder than a brake job, easier than a clutch job if that gives you a sense of difficulty.
The press is 80 bucks plus tax and shipping.
http://www.harborfreight.com/ball-joint ... 60827.html

does this kit have all the right adapters for lbj?

Same one I used before, but I always rent one from autoparts store. Its "free"

Sent with the power of children's screams!!!

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Fri Oct 31, 2014 11:36 am

4x4kayak2112 wrote:

Easy to do ball joints, hardest part is figuring out how the press works

Sent with the power of children's screams!!!

Yep, I may have failed at that recently. I tried to use a similar kit rented from Advanced Auto, but wasn't able to figure out a good way to use the tool. I tried a couple different combinations of things, but in the end gave up and used my press. I disconnected the speed sensor in the engine bay and left the cable connected to the knuckle. If you take this approach, on the drivers side (with the CRD at least) it's very tight around that cable. I put a string on it before pulling it down and then used that guide it back into place when I was done.

Hydraulic press makes the ball joint extraction/insertion part very easy if you have one available to you.

So I checked my ball joints.......

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