BeagleRock Posted April 21, 2020 Share Posted April 21, 2020 Hey gang I've been tearing out the front end of my old 83 because of annoying clunking and recently erratic steering behavior. Everything except ball joints are out,drag link,tie-rods,shocks,coil springs etc. Anyway these joints are inverted according to every video I've watched and they all have the threaded ends pointed up and also have a pinch bolt on top. Not mine. Seems like everything from the EECIII to the spare tire carrier is SPECIAL on this truck lol. Is this normal and are there any SPECIAL tools required to remove them other than a BJ removed as they seem to be pressed into the I beam rather than the knuckle. Thanks Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted April 21, 2020 Share Posted April 21, 2020 The instructions from the factory shop manual are at Documentation/Suspension & Steering/Front Suspension then the Instructions tab and the Twin I-Beam tab. It says "Strike the inside area of the spindle as shown in Fig. 7 to pop the ball joints loose from the spindle." But in my experience it hasn't always worked that easily. It also says "CAUTION:Do not use a pickle fork to separate the ball joint from the spindle as this will damage the seal and the ball joint socket." I've had to use a pickle fork several times, and while it did damage the seal that's not a problem as it is getting replaced. So if the ball joints don't pop out you may have to get a pickle fork and a large hammer. Also, there are specific instructions on the order in which you need to tighten up the nuts on the ball joints. HEED THEM! I didn't and could not get one of the ball joints to take. So I had to remove the knuckle and start over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeagleRock Posted April 21, 2020 Author Share Posted April 21, 2020 The instructions from the factory shop manual are at Documentation/Suspension & Steering/Front Suspension then the Instructions tab and the Twin I-Beam tab. It says "Strike the inside area of the spindle as shown in Fig. 7 to pop the ball joints loose from the spindle." But in my experience it hasn't always worked that easily. It also says "CAUTION:Do not use a pickle fork to separate the ball joint from the spindle as this will damage the seal and the ball joint socket." I've had to use a pickle fork several times, and while it did damage the seal that's not a problem as it is getting replaced. So if the ball joints don't pop out you may have to get a pickle fork and a large hammer. Also, there are specific instructions on the order in which you need to tighten up the nuts on the ball joints. HEED THEM! I didn't and could not get one of the ball joints to take. So I had to remove the knuckle and start over. Gary nothing's just popping out on this thing as it's original and the parts seem to be forever married to one another via rust and time. I'll check it out tomorrow afternoon and thanks for the information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted April 21, 2020 Share Posted April 21, 2020 Gary nothing's just popping out on this thing as it's original and the parts seem to be forever married to one another via rust and time. I'll check it out tomorrow afternoon and thanks for the information! I had to use a press to remove and install all 4 of my 2wd ball joints. The old/original joints were pretty tough coming out as it was all rusted together. The new ball joints were the Moog ones with the splines on them. I got the press kit from a local shop through a loan a tool program, so it didn't cost me anything other than the time to pick it up and drop it off. Same as this kit below. https://www.amazon.com/RAM-PRO-Service-Removal-Installer-Adapters/dp/B01MT5HA0X?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old55pete Posted April 21, 2020 Share Posted April 21, 2020 I had to use a press to remove and install all 4 of my 2wd ball joints. The old/original joints were pretty tough coming out as it was all rusted together. The new ball joints were the Moog ones with the splines on them. I got the press kit from a local shop through a loan a tool program, so it didn't cost me anything other than the time to pick it up and drop it off. Same as this kit below. https://www.amazon.com/RAM-PRO-Service-Removal-Installer-Adapters/dp/B01MT5HA0X?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_5 I was just going to say the same thing, go borrow a ball joint press from O Rillies or Car Quest, soak them down with PB Blaster and press them out. It is a lot less work then swinging a 5 lb shop hammer on a pickle fork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdWrknTrk Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 I was just going to say the same thing, go borrow a ball joint press from O Rillies or Car Quest, soak them down with PB Blaster and press them out. It is a lot less work then swinging a 5 lb shop hammer on a pickle fork. Or use the two in conjunction. Wind a bunch of pressure on it and then smack it with a three or four pound drilling hammer. I have a small oxy/acetylene setup, but not everybody does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 Or use the two in conjunction. Wind a bunch of pressure on it and then smack it with a three or four pound drilling hammer. Yes! That's the process I've used, both on ball joints as well as pitman arms. The smack with the hammer usually allows another partial turn on the puller, and pretty soon it comes off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeagleRock Posted April 26, 2020 Author Share Posted April 26, 2020 I had to use a press to remove and install all 4 of my 2wd ball joints. The old/original joints were pretty tough coming out as it was all rusted together. The new ball joints were the Moog ones with the splines on them. I got the press kit from a local shop through a loan a tool program, so it didn't cost me anything other than the time to pick it up and drop it off. Same as this kit below. https://www.amazon.com/RAM-PRO-Service-Removal-Installer-Adapters/dp/B01MT5HA0X?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_5 Press won't fit as these particular ones don't have a pinch bolt and the threaded end points down on both joints rather than up as do everyone on YT. It looks like they must come out through the tops. I finally got the camber adjustment nut out and there's no way it comes out of the bottom But I can't budge it hammer or not. I'll just sit around and think and heal as I did get the pivot bushings out and in yesterday. I actually thought the ball joints would be a cakewalk compared to the pivot bushings as they were in there good too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeagleRock Posted April 26, 2020 Author Share Posted April 26, 2020 Just broke pickle fork. I'm abit stronger than I care to be 😆 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted April 26, 2020 Share Posted April 26, 2020 Press won't fit as these particular ones don't have a pinch bolt and the threaded end points down on both joints rather than up as do everyone on YT. It looks like they must come out through the tops. I finally got the camber adjustment nut out and there's no way it comes out of the bottom But I can't budge it hammer or not. I'll just sit around and think and heal as I did get the pivot bushings out and in yesterday. I actually thought the ball joints would be a cakewalk compared to the pivot bushings as they were in there good too. Randy - I bought a ball joint press from Harbor Freight and it has worked on two trucks so far. Don't know what else to tell you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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