LBJ replacement procedure and tools

dgeist · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:51 pm

I'm diagnosing some front suspension clunking which looks to be LBJ related. The current units were replaced in the recall a few years back, but no surprise that they're going out again...

Anyway, the procedure looks straightforward based on a few searches:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5375215_replace-ball-joint-jeep-liberty.html

(by the way, I didn't find anyone that had posted the steps here, but I may have been search-impaired.

in any case, I think the only tool I don't have already (aside from replacing my broken impact wrench) is the BJ separator and press tools. Also, I'm guessing the axle nut is a size I don't have (since it always is...) Will the following suit the task:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-1-ball-joint-u-joint-c-frame-press-service-kit-38335.html

and
http://www.harborfreight.com/11-3-4-quarter-inch-ball-joint-separator-1740.html

Take for granted that I wouldn't touch HF tools for anything I used regularly, but will these fit the size of the joints and not kill me when I use them? Also, anyone have that nut size handy?

Dan

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2012 4:22 pm

Nuts a 36 mm on the CV end
and the ball joint seperator forget it
I've seen more people tear thing up with them than is needed
BFH is all you need to knock it loose
I took mine back 6 years ago to a local shop, pressed them in and out for like 15-20 bucks

dgeist · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2012 4:28 pm

tommudd wrote:

Nuts a 36 mm on the CV end
and the ball joint seperator forget it
I've seen more people tear thing up with them than is needed
BFH is all you need to knock it loose
I took mine back 6 years ago to a local shop, pressed them in and out for like 15-20 bucks

Tom, your skill with the BFH probably far exceeds mine, but if you say the pickle fork is too much, then perhaps the 3-pount sledge is more appropriate. I'm mostly worried about smashing something else in there in the close quarters.

As for the shop work, I assume that was with them off the vehicle, right? Unfortunately, I would require the jeep to travel to the shop

Would that press kit do it or do I need something better (more sizes, etc.)?

Dan

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2012 4:37 pm

I've heard pros and cons on that kit
A buddy of mine had one and the c-clamp bent on it, but then he can tear up an anvil with a rubber hammer
Heard another guy telling someone at Harbor Freight the other day that he had one and did 5 sets of ball joints but said never to use a airgun on it
so give it a try? :wink:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2012 5:02 pm

The HF balljoint press will work but you will need additional cups for the KJ's knuckle,the ones that come with the kit will not work.I use the HF press at work and have done hundreds of balljoints with it with no issues and I use my 1000lbs-ft of torque IR impact on it.Now I did kill it(bent it) doing u-joints but we got a press now so no need to bend any further balljoint press's.No difference between the HF press and any others,all made in china.

To seperate the UBJ............

dgeist · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2012 9:25 pm

After checking the LBJs this evening and finding 0 movement (and only side-side steering linkage having a TINY amount of movement in any other direction), I'm a little stumped. What I did find was the upper control arm mounts have some minor cracking (but no deformation I could see):

but the striking thing was the lower strut bushings look like they're completely crushed. The through-bolts look to be riding on the bushing shells:

Would the crushed strut mount account for an intermittent clunking (especially since every other joint looks to be fine)?

Dan

dgeist · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:13 pm

These are apparently referred to as "pivot bushings" by mopar. Anyone else had these things collapse? They look pretty squashed right now...

Dan

Sport · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2012 11:05 am

I replaced that LBJ with the HB tool a few days ago. The cups they had weren't working properly so I got creative. The rod that you thread into the C clamp has a slide hammer on the end of it. If you remove it the hole that is left is big enough for the end of the LBJ to fit into. I was able to press it out that way. Pressing the new one in was fine the the cups supplied.

Overall happy with the tool, decent quality for the DIYer.

LBJ replacement procedure and tools

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