ball joints seat themselves?

[perna00]

sorry, i know this is in the wrong section, but i need an answer quick. i'm working on a large delivery truck and just replaced the lower ball joint. it gets pressed in from the bottom. i got it all the way in except for about 1/4-3/8" and was wondering if i had to get it completely in or if the weight of the vehicle back together would set it completely in while driving. if i had to do it myself, how would you recommend getting it completely on? thanks alot!

[kenny-1907]

The way i have done and have seen them done is put a floor jack under the ball joint , use something to make sure that the ball joint is sitting right on the jack and only the ball joint(the idea is to raise the vehicle a bit so the weight is resting on the ball joint on the jack, and be sure to be using jack stands) , then take a good sized dead blow hammer and persuade it the rest of the way in . If you don't have a dead blow hammer , you can use a regular hammer 2-3lb or larger ballpein hammer and use a block of wood to protect the controll arm. Oh ya , by the way , that is where you hit , the edge of the controll arm right in front of the ball joint. Hope this helps you , have a wail of a time lol

[perna00]

thanks for the info. i actually found out that they make a balljoint press you can rent from autozone. saved me alot of frustration!

[kenny-1907]

Oh sure , take the easy way out. lol jk. The method i described does work and will do in a jam when the stores are closed cause the job ran late for one reason or another which as we all know is usually the case.