Balljoints

[dksob81]

well fellas, I ran into a problem while replacing my balljoints, the lower ball joints I cannot get off, I have heated it up with a propane torch for about 20 minutes straight and NO GO! It looks like it pounds down out of the axle housing, but if does not move.

Has anyone changed their balljoint (I know a few of you have) Please let me know if they go out thru the bottom or come out of the top? The new balljoint slides up thru the bottum but has a SNAP-RING that hold it up, the old one thats in there does not have a snap-ring holding it in place. anyways someone who has replaced theirs let me know, also if you have any tricks on getting it out.

94 ZJ 5.2L

[xj31]

if you dont have the right tools youre pretty much screwed.those things are pressed in so frigging tight they are even hard to do with the right tools.and you are right,they come out the bottom

[dksob81]

ok good to know which way they actually come out.

well I have changed many balljoints before (this is the first time on my jeep or any jeep) I actually rented the tool once and it did not make the job any easier. I usually just heat control arm (for about 10 minutes) and jack the control arm up and then pound the balljoint out, it damn near always falls right out after a couple good smacks with a mini sledge.

[dksob81]

I just really needed to know which way they actually come out.
Thanks XJ

[xj31]

i really dont recommend pounding them out.I saw a guy do that once and he actually bent the axle housing.a decent ball joint press does the job

[Ironic]

Harbor freight has the right tool for about $40, a C- frame press.

[MagicRat]

Heating the whiz out of the lower control arm might ruin the heat treating/forging of the metal. A propane torch wont harm it, but oxy acetylene or oxy/propane will.