Ball Joints

[blopez]

OK, I jacked up the truck agian and I think I agree with everyone it's ball joints.

How do I replace them?

Do I need speacial tools to replace?

Is there a step by step with pictures available anywhere?

1972 GMC Jimmy.
Dana 44(5F) with 8 lugs,
39.5 tires

 

[southernspeed]

OK, I jacked up the truck agian and I think I agree with everyone it's ball joints.

How do I replace them?

Do I need speacial tools to replace?

Is there a step by step with pictures available anywhere?

1972 GMC Jimmy.
Dana 44(5F) with 8 lugs,
39.5 tires

You'll need a spindle bearing tool (4 pronged socket), a torque wrench a big F hammer!
They're a piece of cake to do,(I've done 3 trucks in the last 12 months and they've all gone easy) but if you're not very mechanically minded or have never had your spindles off you'll also need a manual or a pal who has done it.
I don't know of any write ups though, sorry.
Don't be afraid of it though it's only a mornings work.

 

[dremu]

Do a search -- it has been covered and there are a coupla good writeups.

You will need the big c-clamp-with-a-hole-in-the-end; Harbor Freight has some crappy ones, but

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42236

that one, #42236, is passable and hasn't broken on me, doing more axles and U-joints than I care to count.

-- A

 

[Triaged]

Learn and understand the term "balljoint preload".