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getting ready to do ball joints

OTC spanner is made the US and seems to be well made :D

That socket that jor posted a pic of looks like it'd be easier to use, or at least less likely to slip off and easier to line up.
 
A picture REALLY is worth a thousand words. That makes it crystal clear. Thanks man.
 
Bringing this thread back to ask a dumb question. Do the ball joints not come out from the side where the nut goes? In other words, in the picture above with the HF ball joint press, the guy is taking the upper joint out, right? Doesn't the lower one come out the same way too (towards the opening for the axle shaft)? I went out and bought a HF ball joint press, but I can't get the lower BJ out to save my life. It doesn't look like the upper adapter (I think they call it the install adapter in the directions) is able to clear the inside of the spindle body, like maybe it's too big around and is hitting that part and is not able to press down on the BJ like it's supposed to. Has anyone else had trouble getting these stupid things to come out? Help! I'm about ready to push this old truck off a cliff, if only I could get it rolling again I would!!:mad:
 
Here's what I remember:

One of them is easier to take out after the other is out. It lets you run the threaded shaft of the press through the hole the other ball joint is supposed to sit in. One of the ball joints has a snap ring that must be removed.
 
Blue85 said:
Here's what I remember:

One of them is easier to take out after the other is out. It lets you run the threaded shaft of the press through the hole the other ball joint is supposed to sit in. One of the ball joints has a snap ring that must be removed.
Click to expand...


Make sure you are trying to press them the right way. Sounds stupid, but its the issue i had. They hammered out after i started moving them the right way....after bending my bj press......


Also, search ball joints. Not trying to be a dick and tell you to search, but there are a few REALLY good threads on doing this, with COMPLETE instructions. You need the spindle nut socket, and the spanner socket, and a couple larger (22-23m?) sockets to torque the bj nuts. Most places rent the spindle nut socket, and napa can order the spanner socket for like $26.

One of the other threads tells you how to find hte spanner socket on rock auto for like $10, its hard to find on their site, but they have it. good luck.

EDIT Searched for you
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183180
 
I reread the whole thread and didn't see anyone mention to check the roller bearing that is inside of the spindle that the stub shaft rides on (only used when hubs are locked)... I overlooked that one for years untill I heard a chirping from one of the front wheels after I had just repacked the wheel bearings. Back apart it came and inside the spindle was that oh so familiar rusty dust that use to be a bearing. I believe the part number is B2110 and cost about $8. When replacing balljoints, the spindle is off anyway, all you have to do is look inside!
 
Thanks for all the suggestions fellas. Here's what I figured out this weekend (besides the fact that 90+ degree weather everyday since March has made me want to just give up on life in general): The lower ball joint does come out from the top, towards the big hole in the knuckle. Buying a new joint and looking at it made this clear. I used an impact gun to get the joint about 2/3 of the way out and then the little cup that the directions say to use on the side your pushing out got bottomed out on the knuckle. Thing was, my little 1 hp compressor didn't have enough power to back the screw off so I could remove the adapter. Luckily the shop on the corner had some guys hanging around Saturday morning who let me use their big two stage compressor to back the screw off and take the adapter plate out. Then the ball joint came out and the new one went it with no trouble.

Now I just need to get my spindle right. The bearing looks good and still has plenty of grease, although I need to repack it. The outside of the spindle looks pretty corroded. In fact, the hub with the wheel bearing and grease seal will not fit back on the spindle. Today I will put the spindle on my 1" belt sander and see if I can get it right.
 
Ditto on the socket. Get a good quality one. You will certain need every bit of those teeth.

Also, do it all. The front end will tighten up, and drive like a new one,... well minus shocks.
 
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