Balljoints? Pay someone or do it yourself?

Maui_Dave · #1 09-02-2006, 06:46 PM

My front left balljoints are getting sloppy. The axle boot is ripped. So I figure on replacing them (axle too) myself.

I've done balljoints in the past. Some easy as pie. Other times I made a special short handed sledge hammer, yeah scary.

Has anyone replaced the balljoints before. What's the good bad and ugly? I'm 42 now and while I enjoy working on my Jeep, I don't like bleeding near as much as I used to.

Should I do it myself or just pay someone and save the aggrevation?

dksob81 · #2 09-03-2006, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maui_Dave

My front left balljoints are getting sloppy. The axle boot is ripped. So I figure on replacing them (axle too) myself.

I've done balljoints in the past. Some easy as pie. Other times I made a special short handed sledge hammer, yeah scary.

Has anyone replaced the balljoints before. What's the good bad and ugly? I'm 42 now and while I enjoy working on my Jeep, I don't like bleeding near as much as I used to.

Should I do it myself or just pay someone and save the aggrevation?

Well, these are not the easiest balljoints to do and you will need a balljoint press to get the upper joint out, the lower you can pound out, it will fight you all the way, I would get a lil propane torch and heat the bottom one up and then beat it - thats what I did to get mine out.

Maui_Dave · #3 09-03-2006, 10:41 AM

Thanks Joe - that's what I figured. Looks like I'll shop around and find someone to do it for me.

I'm gonna assume a stealership quote will be close to the cost of my Jeep!

ac8428 · #4 09-03-2006, 09:26 PM

Little piece of advice for you. The axle is about $275 installed with alignment (or so):just had mine done. Don't mention the ball joints up front. once the assembly is apart they can't charge you labor for the joints. The joints are only around $50 each.

Maui_Dave · #5 09-04-2006, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac8428

Little piece of advice for you. The axle is about $275 installed with alignment (or so):just had mine done. Don't mention the ball joints up front. once the assembly is apart they can't charge you labor for the joints. The joints are only around $50 each.

Sweet - I like your thinking. Thanks for the heads up.

legalfee · #6 09-06-2006, 10:42 AM

Another thing to consider - They make offset balljoints for Jeeps .5, 1, and 1.5 degree. If your Jeep pulls to the right (as mine did) you may need one. Heres the TSB: http://home.sc.rr.com/janet/TSB/02-12-99.htm
I had a .5 degree installed on the left side and it cured the pulling to the right. You'll need a front end man to look at it and determine if you need one.

Maui_Dave · #7 09-06-2006, 12:02 PM

Legalfee,

Thanks for the pulling tip. Since I replaced the tires it's a lot less but it's still there slightly.

I had a Honda prelude for close to 300K and I wish every car I ever own would have that steering system. Even after all those miles the steering was perfect, extremely tight and I never had it aligned or replaced any steering parts. Friggin' amazing.

The GC steering seems very sloppy. Everything seems to be pretty tight in the steering components. Is this just one of those things that come with the jeep?

legalfee · #8 09-06-2006, 12:13 PM

Yeah the Jeeps steering system seems to go out easily. There's no adjustment for camber. My camber was off .5 degrees when the dealer did a front end alignment. I had read the TSB and it fit what I was seeing - drifting to the right when you let go of the steering wheel. So I told them to install the offset ball joint. He didn't want to do it but I insisted. He was amazed by the result - no more drift. My front tires were wore on the outside so when I purchased a new set 6 months ago I had my front end aligned. It had gotten way off. Anyway good luck. Are you near Kaanapoli and Lahaina? The Molokini snorkel cruise was great. SJ

Maui_Dave · #9 09-07-2006, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legalfee

Are you near Kaanapoli and Lahaina? The Molokini snorkel cruise was great. SJ

I live on the North Shore, Haiku area. But I'm actually back in Jersey right now. Rapping up my rental properties and my house. I bought the jeep here and I'm shipping it to Maui at the end of the year.

You're right though, snorkeling is amazing in the pacific. I can't wait to get back this winter because the whales are in full force. Awesome.

That's why I'm trying to tune up the suspension on the Jeep before I ship it out. Don't want any nasty surprises when I'm on the south shore lava beds.

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