Ball joints...

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BigBlockMopar28

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Posted this on FTO, hasn't gotten much traffic and im in a bit of a predicament right now. I realize that this isnt a truck forum, but you guys have helped me a ton lately. If anyone can help i'd greatly appreciate it:


87 w150, almost positive it has a dana 44 front axle. Drivers side lower bj needs replaced, and im hearing different stories on wether the axle NEEDS to come out or not. Is that so the knuckle can come off or is it nessecary?

In other words, can the lower ball joint be replaced without removing the axle, assuming i had the right ball joint press, or is it nessecary? Also, has anyone that has done this have any tips?
 
If your lucky you might be able to get the job done without pulling the knuckle off the truck, but you'll be torching the old joint out carefully without cutting into the knuckle and then while things are still warm carefully hammer in the new joint without destroying it. There's no way to use a ball joint press with the axle in the way, hence the need to pull the axle and sometimes the whole knuckle.
Oh and did I mention you have to be lucky?

Sometimes it's easier to take the time to do a job the right way than to spend hours taking a short cut.
 
If your lucky you might be able to get the job done without pulling the knuckle off the truck, but you'll be torching the old joint out carefully without cutting into the knuckle and then while things are still warm carefully hammer in the new joint without destroying it. There's no way to use a ball joint press with the axle in the way, hence the need to pull the axle and sometimes the whole knuckle.
Oh and did I mention you have to be lucky?

Sometimes it's easier to take the time to do a job the right way than to spend hours taking a short cut.
X2 on this. Redid the D44 in my Scout. Really is easier to remove axle and knuckle. I'd highly recommend replacing both uppers and lowers while it's apart.. (and axle seals, and bearings, and u-joints... project creep sucks!)
 
I've done it on my 01 ram 3500, I borrowed a hydraulic portable press from this old man, who's a friend of a friend. Worked awesome. I first tried using Harbor Fright tool, which didn't work worth a crap. I did buy a mechanical press kit from OTC, which will probably work just fine, but it didn't arrive in time, and it will be a little more physical work.
 
Yeah I doubt i'll take my chances, better to just pull the axle and be done with it from the sounds of things. On a busy schedule atm and ill have about 4hrs this sunday, then im locked up w/ work for that whole week. Oh the joys of having a project for a daily lol.
 
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