Fricken ball joints

[madmikeismad]

Doing a buddys truck, of course we're having problems.

1. He rented a ball joint press, but the c-handle part is just a little too small, so I had to substitute a pry bar for the spacer that pushes on the bolt end.





2. The shop he had replace them last time, didn't put the 2 bottom bolts back in the bearing unit, so it was pulling out. Trying to find them now, but they seem to be a dealer item. No parts stores have them, and ace just laughed at him.

Once we find them, does anyone know what they should be torqued too? I left my manual at my house, like an idiot. I was going to go to 100ish ft/lb, but want to make sure.

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[j-rod]

Wheel bearing to knuckle is 122 ft. lbs.

Hub nut to axle shaft is 180 ft. lbs.

 

[madmikeismad]

Yeah, I just put everything I had into the bearing bolts, didn't pull the hub nut off.

Thanks!

 

[Billysgoat]

You can replace the bearing bolts with a high grade metric in either hex or allen head. I think they are M12x1.5.

 

[madmikeismad]

You can replace the bearing bolts with a high grade metric in either hex or allen head. I think they are M12x1.5.

Yeah, no stores around had them same length/pitch. He went to dealer(10 bucks each), and the shop that lost them is covering it. Im just afraid what kind of wear it put on the bearing, as it was cocked out on the bottom about 1/16".

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[bigstacks95]

Just curious, why didn't you pop the knuckle off? I think I normally push them up, but I can't remember to be honest with you.

 

[madmikeismad]

Just curious, why didn't you pop the knuckle off? I think I normally push them up, but I can't remember to be honest with you.

Couldn't get it loose. After we had it all but done, he found his 20lb sledge LOL

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[SPEEDSHIFT]

Couldn't get it loose. After we had it all but done, he found his 20lb sledge LOL

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You couldn't get the knuckle off? Hit the side with a hammer until it drops.

Like so...
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDsci-izhhc"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDsci-izhhc[/ame]

 

[madmikeismad]

No we did get it off after he found the sledge. We were at his house working with limited tool selection. My truck with all my tools is still stranded in my driveway.

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[idontcare909]

QUAD 4x4 Home Page

they have lots of odds and end parts like that for all sorts of 4x4s, not sure if they have that specific bolt, but if they dont im sure they will send you in the right direction. they also sell the correct Ball Joint press, if you do the Ball Joints on more than one dodge it might be worth it...

 

[madmikeismad]

QUAD 4x4 Home Page

they have lots of odds and end parts like that for all sorts of 4x4s, not sure if they have that specific bolt, but if they dont im sure they will send you in the right direction. they also sell the correct Ball Joint press, if you do the Ball Joints on more than one dodge it might be worth it...

I was actually looking for that, thanks!

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[Gibson]

I usually cut the ball joints out or At least cut the threaded part off with a torch. The c clamp works way better then.

 

[madmikeismad]

I usually cut the ball joints out or At least cut the threaded part off with a torch. The c clamp works way better then.

We were about to, but then he found the sledge and we were able to knock off the knuckle and use the c clamp.

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[Gibson]

You have to have to knuckle off to remove the ball joints anyways. A pickle fork and a sledge is what I use. Sometimes I use my air hammer with pickle fork attachment and a pickle fork/hammer both.

 

[madmikeismad]

You have to have to knuckle off to remove the ball joints anyways. A pickle fork and a sledge is what I use. Sometimes I use my air hammer with pickle fork attachment and a pickle fork/hammer both.

You can press the upper out with the knuckle still on, but it is indeed WAY easier with the knuckle off. In the future I won't even try with it on anymore. I thought I mentioned it earlier too, but I was working with his tools, and we were short a couple things, had to make do. And the rented press was pretty abused.