Changin ball joints.... - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

GMCTruxrule · 01-31-2006, 08:02 PM

Hey guys, fixin to change the ball joints on my 10 bolt this weekend, does a standard shop press remove them, or is there a special fixture required in conjunction with the press to remove them? The help is appreciated.
Thanks......

mudslinger99 · 02-01-2006, 12:21 AM

I used one of these and it can be done with or without an air hammer

Quote:

LISLE Pickle Fork Kit #41500

Made In USA
For Separating Ball Joints Tie Rods Pitman Arms and Other Uses.
Six tools in one for exceptional versatility and value.
Kit consists of three forks and two handles; one for hammering the other for use with an air hammer (.401" shank).
All forks are threaded to interchange with either handle.
Forks are heavy-duty forgings handles are heat-treated alloy steel.

Price: $45.36

s1037s · 02-01-2006, 04:25 AM

bfh works pretty good.

Stuckle · 02-01-2006, 08:14 AM

i user a bfh...and if i have to pickle fork them...but usually dont...

just hammer down

weaselzz · 02-01-2006, 09:12 AM

do you have an air gun? You could get the ball joint tool that hooks in with your air gun. If you are changing them often then it oculd be a good investment.

onetonbb74 · 02-01-2006, 10:30 AM

are you talkin bout off the housing or off the knuckle

Housing i just use a bfh or pickle fork

Knuckles i just use www.harborfreight.com item # 4065-0vga 4x4 ball joint service tool.

removes and installs easy

k10caddy · 02-01-2006, 10:41 AM

and remember to put the upper in first.

s1037s · 02-01-2006, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k10caddy

and remember to put the upper in first.

you must haveseen me cuss the first time i did that!

GMCTruxrule · 02-02-2006, 09:37 AM

I understand about removing the knuckle from the axle and separating the balls joints using a pickle fork, what I was wanting to know is once the knuckle is removed from the axle, with the ball joints still attached, are they removed from the knuckle with a standard shop press or is there some kind of tool required to remove them in conjunction with the shop press?

mj · 02-02-2006, 03:06 PM

I use my shop press for one side and my porta power for the other
I can't recall why.

http://www3.telus.net/mjmillar/4x4/dana44balljoints/

steve86k5 · 02-04-2006, 05:55 AM

Here is a link to a write up on how to change them.

http://nashvillek5.freeservers.com/balljoints.htm

When I changed mine, the first side I took to a machine shop to do b/c they were rusted in. Cost me $10 for him to replace both top and bottom. For the other side I did myself with a ball joint press I got from harbor freight and a impact wrench. Dont forget that you need a special socket to put the adjesting ring in the top ball joint. You can buy one or make your own out of an old socket.

Ball Joint press
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=4065

Adjester socket
http://www.partsmikeparts.com/ball_j...uster_tool.htm
or
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

mj · 02-04-2006, 11:31 AM

last I looked snap on discontinued the spanner

onetonbb74 · 02-05-2006, 04:29 PM

my spanner is an otc part # and of course i forgot it but the snap on spanner socket sucks because they crack often. The otc part is hex so you stick a socket on the tool instead of using a 1/2 drive. I dont know why but this part has lasted longer then the snap on. The snap on socket is chrome and the otc is black. btw, you dont need a spanner socket for disassembly of knuckle which is what the question was.

GMCTruxrule · 02-06-2006, 11:03 AM

Cool, okay, the question was answered. I see what I need to do and thanks for the help guys.

01-31-2006, 08:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
GMCTruxrule Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 51243 Location: Tropical Paradise Posts: 3,409	Changin ball joints.... Hey guys, fixin to change the ball joints on my 10 bolt this weekend, does a standard shop press remove them, or is there a special fixture required in conjunction with the press to remove them? The help is appreciated. Thanks...... __________________ [COLOR="Lime"][B]1999 Chevy K3500, 5.7/4L80E/14FF/stock/stock/stock[/B][/COLOR]

02-01-2006, 04:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
s1037s Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Member # 54549 Location: stae of confusion, Ky Posts: 446	bfh works pretty good. __________________ My wife still doesn't know about Pirate4x4.SHHHHH! Sky high!

02-01-2006, 10:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
onetonbb74 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 52039 Location: San Jose Posts: 244	are you talkin bout off the housing or off the knuckle Housing i just use a bfh or pickle fork Knuckles i just use www.harborfreight.com item # 4065-0vga 4x4 ball joint service tool. removes and installs easy __________________ [COLOR="Orange"]Wheeler:[/COLOR] 89 k5 350-700-241-60-14-5.38's-38 tsl...

02-01-2006, 10:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
k10caddy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Member # 45101 Location: new england Posts: 103	and remember to put the upper in first. __________________ caddy powered '80's chevy... D60; 14FF-LL; 12K ramsey; 35's; parked for the winter. [SIZE="3"]I agree! IntelliTXT is of no good .[/SIZE]

02-02-2006, 09:37 AM	#9 (permalink)
GMCTruxrule Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 51243 Location: Tropical Paradise Posts: 3,409	I understand about removing the knuckle from the axle and separating the balls joints using a pickle fork, what I was wanting to know is once the knuckle is removed from the axle, with the ball joints still attached, are they removed from the knuckle with a standard shop press or is there some kind of tool required to remove them in conjunction with the shop press? __________________ [COLOR="Lime"][B]1999 Chevy K3500, 5.7/4L80E/14FF/stock/stock/stock[/B][/COLOR] Last edited by GMCTruxrule; 02-02-2006 at 09:43 AM.

02-01-2006, 08:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
Stuckle Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Member # 57804 Location: Langley, B.C. Posts: 485	i user a bfh...and if i have to pickle fork them...but usually dont... just hammer down

02-01-2006, 09:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
weaselzz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Member # 54711 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 487	do you have an air gun? You could get the ball joint tool that hooks in with your air gun. If you are changing them often then it oculd be a good investment.

02-02-2006, 03:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
mj Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 1919 Location: BC Canada Posts: 7,547	I use my shop press for one side and my porta power for the other I can't recall why. http://www3.telus.net/mjmillar/4x4/dana44balljoints/

02-04-2006, 05:55 AM	#11 (permalink)
steve86k5 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Member # 65331 Posts: 2	Here is a link to a write up on how to change them. http://nashvillek5.freeservers.com/balljoints.htm When I changed mine, the first side I took to a machine shop to do b/c they were rusted in. Cost me $10 for him to replace both top and bottom. For the other side I did myself with a ball joint press I got from harbor freight and a impact wrench. Dont forget that you need a special socket to put the adjesting ring in the top ball joint. You can buy one or make your own out of an old socket. Ball Joint press http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=4065 Adjester socket http://www.partsmikeparts.com/ball_j...uster_tool.htm or http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

02-04-2006, 11:31 AM	#12 (permalink)
mj Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 1919 Location: BC Canada Posts: 7,547	last I looked snap on discontinued the spanner

02-05-2006, 04:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
onetonbb74 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 52039 Location: San Jose Posts: 244	my spanner is an otc part # and of course i forgot it but the snap on spanner socket sucks because they crack often. The otc part is hex so you stick a socket on the tool instead of using a 1/2 drive. I dont know why but this part has lasted longer then the snap on. The snap on socket is chrome and the otc is black. btw, you dont need a spanner socket for disassembly of knuckle which is what the question was. __________________ [COLOR="Orange"]Wheeler:[/COLOR] 89 k5 350-700-241-60-14-5.38's-38 tsl...

02-06-2006, 11:03 AM	#14 (permalink)
GMCTruxrule Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 51243 Location: Tropical Paradise Posts: 3,409	Cool, okay, the question was answered. I see what I need to do and thanks for the help guys. __________________ [COLOR="Lime"][B]1999 Chevy K3500, 5.7/4L80E/14FF/stock/stock/stock[/B][/COLOR]

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