1997 - 2003 F-150

HELP!! Ball Joints Install

Old Aug 26, 2009 | 11:56 AM
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HELP!! Ball Joints Install

ive got my truck on jacks out front so any help would be useful...

i got the loaner ball joint press from the parts shop but it wont work for the upper control arm/ ball joint because theres no place for the top of the clamp. ive tried hitting it with a hammer but it wont slide out.
also i have the press on the lower joint but i cant turn it any farther, im bending tools... and the joint will not come out.
 
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 12:03 PM
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The upper ball joints are not removable. They are a one piece unit with the control arm.
 
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 12:04 PM
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Agreed a replacement uca with new ball joints aren't very expensive
 
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 12:07 PM
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i knew that they wont come off... its like the bolt was screwed in but there is no way to unscrew them....
 
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 12:10 PM
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Where are you stuck exactly pics would help. Can you not get the upper ball joint out of the spindle?
 
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 12:12 PM
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Try this video there are related videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYZLM...eature=channel
 
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 12:21 PM
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thanks OG i dont have the pickle fork that would be my problem...
 
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 12:22 PM
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They are 10 bucks at autozone
 
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Murray92589
thanks OG i dont have the pickle fork that would be my problem...
Well they only cost about 15 bucks any reason you couldn't pick one up? How far is Harbor Freight form you, could get one cheaper there and other tool you may need.
 
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 12:26 PM
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harbor frieght is about an hour-1 1/2 but advance auto parts is right down the road someones coming to pick me up so i dont have to put everythign back together. i have the press but i didnt know i needed the fork also.

i took some pictures but i cant get them to upload right.
 
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 02:13 PM
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just hit the upper control arm were it goes into the spindle or hit the part of the spindle were the BJ goes into it. they will just pop out no need for a pickle fork. then you just undo the 2 bolts on the frame rail holding the upper control arm on.

pretty easy to do the upper ball joints the lower ball joints can be a pain and take some time. mostly if you have 4x4

No need for a press on the upper ball joints
 
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 06:53 PM
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i got it done finally, it rained for 2 hours after i got the tools...
 
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 07:07 PM
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Were the youtube videos any help for you? I have learned alot of things just by watching videos on how to do things I have no knowledge of. When I was taking geometry, trig, and calculus, I did video search and found quite a few and go to understand the process much better. Glad to hear you were successful with your project .
 
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Old Aug 30, 2009 | 12:10 PM
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yeah the videos made the job easy.
 
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Old Aug 31, 2009 | 03:14 PM
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to remove the lower ball joint you just take the snap ring out and set the ball joint press up backwards from how it suggests to remove them
 
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