Getting ready to replace upper and lower ball joints, axle shafts, unit bearings, power steering pump and steering gearbox. Got the garage all cleaned up, parts and tools laid out, ready to start. But first a question. I bought the Harbor Freight 3 in 1 ball joint/u-joint C-frame press kit. I've seen separately listed the four wheel drive ball joint service kit as well as a set for only Dodge Ram trucks and Jeeps. I'm confused. With only the 3 in one kit, do I have the tools I need? Do i need to buy the four wheel drive kit? The Dodge/Jeep kit? I'm in delay mode for a few days since my wife destroyed a tire on her Charger last night, and won't have a replacement in for a few days. In the meantime she drives my Challenger and I need to keep the Jeep in service.
Ball joints
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Get the 4 wheel drive service kit.....I have the HF tool as well and i thought i had everything i needed in the 3 in on kit.....do yourself a favor and get the 4 wheel drive kit as well.......Mine went without a hitch when i did it. I would have set my jeep on fire trying to get the ball joints out without the 4 wheel drive service kit....
I went ahead and picked up the 4 wheel drive service kit - it was on sale for $49. I an a tool-freak and do-it-yourselfer, so I couldn't resist. I have used the tool rental before and it is handy, but in this case I just wanted to have everything I needed in my own toolbox. Tomorrow the demolition begins!
The ball joints are now installed, but I have one question. These are the NAPA blue's and are supposed to be better than MOOG. Can't tell by looking, so I'll assume thay are. My question is how often do you grease the lowers? These lowers come with a zerk fitting and 2? plugs. I checked the fitup with the axle and unit bearing installed and of course the zerk doesn't clear. Easy fix is to grease it, remove the zerk, plug it and move on. Good so far, but it looks like i will have to pull the axle every time the lowers need grease! In truth, if they don't need grease for the next year or so, then its not a problem. I plan to start on converting over to D60's in aobut a year.
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I grease mine after lots of water or every oil change. No issues to date. Just replaced mine with "spicer" units here not long ago. From recent use by many folks, the Moogs are NOT what they used to be. Not sure what the Napa "Blue" line is but the lifetime joints from Napa which are pretty spendy are good joints and should last. Not very "good" info for you, but hope it's something you can use.
Best of Luck,
Mike
Best of Luck,
Mike
Mike,
One more paranoid question. In pressing in all four new joints, I got them in as far I a could, without the use of flame, but there is a tiny gap between the surface of the inner C and the driving band on the joints. You could slip a dollar bill in maybe, but nothing bigger. Is this a problem, or just an irregularity in the mating surfaces? Also, its uniform for each one. I won't be installing the axles for a day or two, so I could drop the knuckles and continue beating them, but I really don't think they will go any farther. Thanks in advance.
JK
One more paranoid question. In pressing in all four new joints, I got them in as far I a could, without the use of flame, but there is a tiny gap between the surface of the inner C and the driving band on the joints. You could slip a dollar bill in maybe, but nothing bigger. Is this a problem, or just an irregularity in the mating surfaces? Also, its uniform for each one. I won't be installing the axles for a day or two, so I could drop the knuckles and continue beating them, but I really don't think they will go any farther. Thanks in advance.
JK
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