Tire shop advises me that the lower ball joints need to be replaced. I'm not *sure* what they are basing this information off of, but I'm skeptical. I had a good look at them while I was doing the motor mounts and saw nothing wrong - but perhaps they've seen something I've overlooked. However, A long time ago they advised me of ball joints needing replacement that I had just replaced... one time I will give them a pass, but if this is a repeat I'm gonna be pissed.

Assuming they are correct -

The FSM says to remove the hub/bearing carrier, but I've read several posts where folks have just tapped the axle out of the bearing and that's sufficient.

I assume the risk of tapping out the axle is damaging the bearing, but assuming it's willing to come out, is there any problem leaving the bearing in the knuckle?

The front lower ball joints are known to wear out prematurely. This is not a CRD problem. Its all KJs. Check the KJ 4x4 section for more info.

They are a total pain to replace too.
They are pressed into the steering knuckle. So remove the knuckle, press out the old joint, and press in the new one.
Use the Moog HD greasable joints.
And you may have to rent/borrow a tool from the auto parts store to press in the new joint.

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U.S. Army Retired

Yep, understood, and I have all the tools - HD front end kit and a big booty press. Not looking forward to it, but obviously it's gotta be done.

I was really just curious about the necessity of removing the bearing carrier vs. tapping the axle out.

Edit: Funny big booty press. The autocorrect on this site is superb.

I kept the bearings in the knuckle. No issues.
Just dont mash the threads on the axle end.

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U.S. Army Retired

Make sure the grease fitting on the new joints is not in the center. They will rub the axle shafts. I got mine from autozone and they rubbed.

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06 Liberty CRD--cheap lift and a Magniflow
04 Expedition--5.4L 4x4 Eddie Bauer
90 Bronco--5.0L another Eddie Bauer
81 Austin Mini--automatic, 1 liter of raw power
69 Cougar--398" of pure torque, when it ran