Lower ball joint tricks anyone?
- Thread starter G-Body_Vet
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Did this at Christmas. I have a BMF vice on my tool bench. First, I lubed the acme threads on the C-clamp with some white grease or something else not too messy. To get the old rusty ball joints out, I set up the rented Autozone C-clamp on the A-arm and cinched down on the floor, then clamped the back of the C-Clamp in the vice with a few red rags to keep the warranty alive [ :wink: ]. As I cranked down on the clamp with a breaker bar, I tapped on the area around the ball joint with a ball peen hammer, and that sucker popped out. My son lent a hand and held the A-arm so it did not fall off the bench when the joint popped. Nearly jumped when it let go.
When putting the new one in, if the new/old one was splined, try to line up the splines it cut in the a-arm. Take a minute and touch up the bottom edge a little with a file to help it start in square. I didn't learn about the freezer trick until after I finished this job. Shrink the new ball joint a little, and it should slide in easier than doing it at room temps.
For you fellow hoarders out there...I kept some old bearing races from replacing some truck bearings. They fit better on the perimeter of the ball joints than the spacers included in the kit.
When putting the new one in, if the new/old one was splined, try to line up the splines it cut in the a-arm. Take a minute and touch up the bottom edge a little with a file to help it start in square. I didn't learn about the freezer trick until after I finished this job. Shrink the new ball joint a little, and it should slide in easier than doing it at room temps.
For you fellow hoarders out there...I kept some old bearing races from replacing some truck bearings. They fit better on the perimeter of the ball joints than the spacers included in the kit.
For you guys wavering on buying a hydraulic press, I just used the 12 ton bottle jack that came with the HF press to raise the main beam in my house. Then I was able to replace a rotted wooden post with a steel post. Easy peasy, no drama.
G-Body_Vet said:
Engineer.
One further tip. Check the ball joint for alignment markings. I recall the Moogs have 'inner' or 'inside' stamped into them. Probably has to do with the travel arc.
80.00 to h&r parts'n'stuff for there bushing installer/remover tool.ive done 4 full COMPLETE suspensions(rear end uca ears,control arm busings,etc) with it since i bought it back in 09 8) one of my favorite tools!
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