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Make A Ball Joint Tool |
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By: Alan Vaesa Items Needed (A) (1) 3/4" cap (B) (1) 3/4" x 6" pipe (C) (1) 1 1/2" to 3/4" bushing (D) (1) 1 1/2" coupling (one solid piece)(not a union) (E) (1) 1 1/2" x 4" pipe (F) (1) 1 1/2" x 3" pipe All of this is standard water pipe that can be purchased at Home Depot, Lowes or the like. NOT needing a pipe wrench or a vice: Thread (A) on to (B) Thread (B) into (C) Thread (C) into (D) (Should look like a cookie cutter of sorts and stand on its own) Thread (E) upper or (F) lower onto (D) depending on if your doing the top or the bottom Piece (B) is the "handle" NOTE: You must install the bottom ball joint FIRST, as you must unthread the handle, pass it through the hole for the upper ball joint and rethread back together to install the lower ball joint. (it sounds complicated but its really not) How to remove the Steering knuckle: 1 - Remove tire 2 - Remove hub 3 - Remove rotor/wheel bearings 4 - Remove 5 spindle bolts 5 - Tap/beat/whale/demolish a 2x4 with a hammer to remove the spindle, in a "star" formation (it will eventually come off but, you may be less one wife/girlfriend (esp if you do this late at night) 6 - Remove axle through hole in steering knuckle 7 - Remove both bolts on both ball joints ((if equip) or loosen "pinch" bolt and or snap ring on top ball joint) 8 - With hammer (bigger/heavier the better but it can be done any size hammer) hit on the top of the bottom ball joint stud. WATCH YOUR FEET - THE SPINDLE IS HEAVY 9 - Once the spindle is removed 10 - Remove ball joints by hammering them out in the direction the stud is pointing (hammer on the opposite side of the stud) 11 - Remove rust from steering knuckle and paint (color of your choice) 12 - Install ball joints using method mentioned above into steering knuckle 13 - Hold steering knuckle in place and place studs through holds in TTB 14 - Thread nuts on to stud (15/16" as I recall) 15 This is where you will realize how your "camber/caster" bushing work and where they are located Reverse install the rest: Axle Spindle Wheel bearing Rotor Hub Tire NOTE : This a good time to also replace your;
Go to Autozone for all the parts, they have a "NO Hassle" lifetime warranty on the ball joints (= trust me on that one (and stick them to it if you have to replace them again) DON'T forget to torque all bolts to manufactures spec's DON'T forget to pump grease into the ball joints once your done VIA the zerk (grease) fittings that are provided with the new ball joints. And check your outer and inner tie-rods and Drag-link too (great time to do all this) Air tools can help some but, I have done mine many a times with out them FRIENDS... esp if they are mechanically inclined are a major BONUS
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