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changing ball joints..

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k5floyd

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Friendswood, Tx
im going to change out the ball joints on my 10b. i know im going to need a ball joint press and will get that very soon. i know i can do it ive just never done them before. it looks like you got to take a lot apart to get to them. so my question is what all do i need to take off to get to them? any other tips? thanks.
 
You have to take everything off all the way down to the axle housing.

In addition to the press, you'll need the spanner socket to set ball joint preload, a wheel bearing nut socket and a 1 5/16" socket for the nut on the top joint.

Other than that, all you need is regular hand tools (but air tools help a lot) and some patience.

Oh, and you'll probably need a dead blow hammer or a hunk of hardwood to get the spindles off.

Might want to change your axle joints while you're in there.

I had a web site bookmarked with the procedure all spelled out but I think it's on my work computer. :doah:
 
k5floyd said:
im going to change out the ball joints on my 10b. i know im going to need a ball joint press and will get that very soon. i know i can do it ive just never done them before. it looks like you got to take a lot apart to get to them. so my question is what all do i need to take off to get to them? any other tips? thanks.
Click to expand...

Use the search button -- you paid for it =))

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197818

-- A
 
ok so i cannot find the spanner socket anywhere. well i havnt tried matco or any of the other tool companies but i wouldnt get it this weekend wich is what i need. my intructors at school did not have it, and our tool room did not have it. i tried oreillys and they didnt know anything about the adjusting sleeve or the spanner. i stopped by my work and only a few guys knew anything about the adjusting sleeve and nobody had the socket either, i also checked our tool room and had no luck. if i cannot find this spanner socket this weekend, i will try matco or another tool manufacturer. so anybody have an idea where i can find this spanner socket this weekend? that is all that is holding me up right now.
 
k5floyd said:
ok so i cannot find the spanner socket anywhere. well i havnt tried matco or any of the other tool companies but i wouldnt get it this weekend wich is what i need. my intructors at school did not have it, and our tool room did not have it. i tried oreillys and they didnt know anything about the adjusting sleeve or the spanner. i stopped by my work and only a few guys knew anything about the adjusting sleeve and nobody had the socket either, i also checked our tool room and had no luck. if i cannot find this spanner socket this weekend, i will try matco or another tool manufacturer. so anybody have an idea where i can find this spanner socket this weekend? that is all that is holding me up right now.
Click to expand...

OTC 2080

http://www.otctools.com/products/detail.php?id=2295

NAPA has them, for instance. Or, if you're clever, you can make one with a grinder and the appropriate OD socket. I had better luck buying one :doah:

-- A
 
Do a search on ebay for BALL JOINT SOCKET/SPANNER

There's a bunch on there. It's where I got mine too.
 
we dont have a napa around here, that i know of, but i guess i will look up the closest one. other than that i guess i will just have to wait on it. thanks.
 
I got mine from snap-on. pricey but I will have it forever. I have used it at least as many times as dollars I spent on it.

there is a guy liquidating a snap-on truck on Ebay. check there.
 
I got mine from a local auto parts store that carries OTC tools. Call around.
 
Doesn't one of the ball joint nuts require a pretty big socket? Like 1-5/16" but maybe I'm remembering wrong.

Ditto on the ebay source for spanner sockets. I've run across them there.

I just took my knuckles to a mechanic to press the joints out. It was $40 for both IIRC.
 
mrk5 said:
Doesn't one of the ball joint nuts require a pretty big socket? Like 1-5/16" but maybe I'm remembering wrong.
Click to expand...

yes.

I use a combination wrench, that way I can beat on it with a hammer. poor mans impact. I don't have a socket that big.
 
mrk5 said:
Doesn't one of the ball joint nuts require a pretty big socket? Like 1-5/16" but maybe I'm remembering wrong.
Click to expand...

Yep. Go back and read post #2.

I bought the socket from Sears but it was 3/4" drive, so I also had to get a 1/2-3/4 adapter.

You can borrow a ball joint press for free from Autozone and save yourself $40.
 
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