Changing Ball Joints

[DrkMtnDew]

Just wondering what method everyone uses for press in ball joints.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Changing ball joints on what? Press-in, Screw-in, bolt on?

Too many setups and methods to list, to be honest.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

I apologize. For the purpose of this Poll let stay with Press Fit.

 

[tcsalvage]

I apologize. For the purpose of this Poll let stay with Press Fit.

now let me think about this awhile.......ball joint press.

 

[scott37300]

I've always used a ball joint press or taken the whole arm off and pressed them out on a press. Can you even take out press in ball joints with a hammer? How much damage to the new one pounding it in with a hammer?

 

[ojustracing]

I like using the proper tool for the Job. Ball joint press for me. But as with anything you need to make sure you have the proper adapters. My co-worker loved using an air hammer to pound them out. Made alot of noise and took a long time.

John

 

[greasemonkey44]

ball joint press

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

I have hammered a few in

 

[ibedayank]

balljoint press kit.... if that dont work...off to work and the 20 ton press

 

[KCM1582]

A ball joint press and an impact make quick work of ball joints.

 

[chrisexv6]

Ball joint press

 

[MattPersman]

A ball joint press and an impact make quick work of ball joints.

+1 I agree

 

[Brentocool]

Hammer out Press in

 

[Subytech]

for press in.i like using a hammer.i just like to hit things.

 

[vssjim]

A ball joint can be damaged by beating on it with a hammer or not pushing on the right place on the joint, so I always take time to be sure I'm pushing on the new joint where you are suppose to.

 

[lilredex]

Knock them out and back in with my trusty Blue Point. If you set it up properly it is a damage free operation. Have made up special tools to assist.

 

[srmofo]

I apologize. For the purpose of this Poll let stay with Press Fit.

too late, I already voted

really every make/model is different.

jimmy/blazers that have the rivets
hondas and fords that come with the control arm
dodges that screw out
chevy vans/trucks that I smack out with a BFballpein, then press in
Rear upper chrysler that can be coerced half way out with a press and finished with a air hammer...otherwise you have to remove the tank to get the upper arm off, which I refuse to do

generally speaking though if its a press fit job, I use a press. I never hammer them in,only out.

 

[plierwire]

I clicked "other" - remove the control arm and take it to a shop.

 

[Fedwrench]

Depending on application, I may replace the control arm. New ball joint, new control arm bushings, no sweating, minimal noise, what's not to like?

 

[gwunsch]

Dis-assembly typically requires all of the above. As little hammer as possible, but I usually have it close at hand. The air hammer is new for me, so I've only used it once to separate the ball joint from the knuckle. The press kits in the wrong hands can mangle the new joint or arm as easily as a hammer, but the press kits are smooth when used right. Grease those threads!

 

[melliott28]

I use an air hammer to separate the knuckle from the ball joint, then use a press kit to remove old and install the new.

I am a weekend warrior so I have only changed ball joints on 2 cars. First time back in the 90's on an old Mazda, I used a hammer to get the old ones out and then to knock the new ones in (no money to take it to a shop or buy a press kit). Second time about 3 years ago on a Honda and I used a press kit to get them out and to put them in. Makes the job so much easier and you don't damage the ball joints or the control arms. After using the press kit, I wouldn't consider using a hammer for that type of work; if I didn't have a press kit, I would take the control arms to a shop to press them in for me.

 

[Stick]

Depending on application, I may replace the control arm. New ball joint, new control arm bushings, no sweating, minimal noise, what's not to like?

That's the way I prefer to do them as well. The set I put in my truck last year was only something like $36/side more expensive than just the ball joint. At that price, it's a pretty simple choice...

 

[blacK20]

Either hammer or press out depending on situation, and always press in for install.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

On all the stuff I own, I use a combination of the freezer and a balljoint press for installation, and the air hammer for removal.

I did try liquid nitrogen on a set of kingpin bushings for an I-beam front end that went on my buddy's 54 GMC. It was really cool (no pun intended) - tapped them right in with a small brass hammer.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

On all the stuff I own, I use a combination of the freezer and a balljoint press for installation, and the air hammer for removal.

I did try liquid nitrogen on a set of kingpin bushings for an I-beam front end that went on my buddy's 54 GMC. It was really cool (no pun intended) - tapped them right in with a small brass hammer.

i've never heard of this method for ball joints. Only things that i've frozen were valve guides.

 

[countryroad82]

I use a combo of BFH and the press. When it comes to installing, I also like to freeze 'em. BTW freezing u-joints and heating driveshafts slightly makes for an easy u-joint install.