Ball Joints

[Ralph]

Do the ball joints have to be pressed into the steering knuckles, or can I do this myself with a hammer?

I mean, can I do this myself SAFELY with a big-Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley hammer?

Also, I don't see where there is any room to adjust the ball joints once they're in place. I remember a thread on this forum some time ago where the writer complained about having to take his Jeep to a mechanic to have the camber or caster set. Maybe that was for a different model/year than mine.

See my post in the General Discussion about buying parts from Krage.

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[This message has been edited by Ralph (edited May 16, 2001).]

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Well, you can do it with a really big hammer, I have done quite a few this way. I since have made a press for this job. However if you do not plan on doing these often it is hardly worth the time to fabricate a press, so the REALLY BIG HAMMER is the way to go. As far as the adjusting goes this is done by the top balljoint there is a threaded offset sleeve in the axle eye for the ball joint however I never move it nor remove it unless visible damage is present (never seen any ever) install new balljoints and I take it in for wheel alignment, saves on the tires and is far more accurate than trying to do it in the backyard.

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Making a Career Out Of Restoring My 1979 Jeep J10 360/T18/D20 44s Doing The Turning
And For True Adventure! Driving Daily, An Ugly 70 Wagoneer! Dauntless 350/Th 400/D20/44s. Posi In My Rear. The To Do List Is Longer Than The Wagoneer Is!!!!

[jeepbob]

Harbor Frieght has one for $39.99

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65 wag. 360/edelbrock rb4/t400/20 t-case/4:10 d27/d44 broken power lok/onboard air/onboard 110v power(no inverter)/1999 Lincoln t.c.leather buckets/Lincoln ctr console/winch/33x12.50/tunes/water proof door pads
soon to have new motor/d44frt/d60r(4:10)welded diff/custom bumpers
see ya in da mud

[Red78j10]

Habor frieght has what? A press for 39.99

[Ralph]

Okay, 'preciate the answers. I'll take it to a shop and have them pressed in, install them into the Jeep, then go back to a shop for a wheel alignment.

SOooooooo, my 'nother question is: Can I tap them out with a hammer? I'd like to paint the steering knuckles while I've got them bare -- Hmm, bare knuckles...

And once again I mean a really big-Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley hammer.

By the way, CrazyJeepman, I got the A/C hose. Thanks. The axle part I asked you for is actually the portion in which the front u-joint is housed. If you look at one, you'll see the flange with the rubber seal I was talking about. You know, while I've got the front-end apart, might as well do it all.

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[Charly]

The Moog ball joints I have cme with a new adjuster sleeve, and the instructions state to just screw them in (with special socket) and torque them to 50 or 70 lbs (can't rememebr which it is), then they say torque the nut on the ball joint.

It sounds simple enough, or are they leaving something out?

Charly

[Ralph]

Oh, there are directions with those?

Also, I was wondering why each ball joint kit has a snap-ring with it,

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[This message has been edited by Ralph (edited May 17, 2001).]