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Terry
Member
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2008
- Messages
- 613
- Reaction score
- 19
- Points
- 18
- Location
- Gardnerville, Nevada
- Vehicle Year
- 1987
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Engine Size
- 2.9
- Transmission
- Manual
I am in the process of a complete rebuild of my 4 x 4 87 ranger front end. I have watched youtube videos, searched around on this site, searched other sites, as well read my repair manual. Other than the home made ball joint press and the suggestion of buying a harbor freight press that will work in the tech section, plus the factory tools listed in the book, there is no mention of the information that most rental ball joint presses will not work to install the ball joints on a ttb 4 x 4 front end without an adapter kit. Most ball joint presses you rent at the local auto parts store will have three sleeves, two ends and the clamp. The sleeves are too short for 4 x 4 ball joints for installation. The 4 x 4 ball joints have a longer threaded stem. I looked around the rental tool area of my local auto parts stores web site. I found a adapter set "OEM 27165" that is for this issue. I am not sure about the 2 x 4 ball joints but the lower ball joint sticks out below the knuckle for a snap ring. There is nothing in the press I rented that works for this either. The adapter kit has a sleeve for this too. I wasted hours on this issue thinking I was loosing my mind.
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