99 Durango lower ball joints

[DOGN 99]

I am going to be replacing the lower ball joints. I had already did the uppers a couple of years ago (piece of cake). Are the lower ball joints rivited in the a frame or pressed in. Thanks for any help.

[jusber15]

The lowers are pressed in. I just went thru this on a 98 Durango. After you remove the entire steering knuckle assy, you can hammer the heck out of the top of the lower ball joints and get them out. You should get a ball joint press to get the new ones in....or you can do the the poor mans way. Take the new ball joints and put them in the freezer or a deep freezer for a few hours. Heat the lower control arm where the ball joint goes into until it is nice and hot...almost red. VERY VERY quickly, shove the ball joint into the hole and hit the bottom with a hammer to be sure its in all the way. You will know when it is all the way in because the ring at the top of the ball joint will be high enough thru the control arm to get the large snap ring on that is included with the ball joint. Thats how I did mine and it worked just fine.

[DOGN 99]

Originally Posted by jusber15

The lowers are pressed in. I just went thru this on a 98 Durango. After you remove the entire steering knuckle assy, you can hammer the heck out of the top of the lower ball joints and get them out. You should get a ball joint press to get the new ones in....or you can do the the poor mans way. Take the new ball joints and put them in the freezer or a deep freezer for a few hours. Heat the lower control arm where the ball joint goes into until it is nice and hot...almost red. VERY VERY quickly, shove the ball joint into the hole and hit the bottom with a hammer to be sure its in all the way. You will know when it is all the way in because the ring at the top of the ball joint will be high enough thru the control arm to get the large snap ring on that is included with the ball joint. Thats how I did mine and it worked just fine.

Thanks for the info jusber. I think I'll try freezing the ball joint & the press. Thanks again.

[rhandwor]

http://www.autopart.com/tools/toolsmain/tool/T_4004.htm
http://www.harbourfreight.com/ Item 66958
These are tools for the job. Advance Auto, Auto Zone, and Pep Boys have a tool loaner program.

[DOGN 99]

Originally Posted by rhandwor

http://www.autopart.com/tools/toolsmain/tool/T_4004.htm
http://www.harbourfreight.com/ Item 66958
These are tools for the job. Advance Auto, Auto Zone, and Pep Boys have a tool loaner program.

Thanks for the info rhandwor. I have Moog upper ball joints, inner tie rod ends, idler arm, & pitman arm from O'Reilly auto parts & use their loaner tools. If their loaner tool isn't in decent shape, witch was the case on thier pitman arm puller, I may try Advanced. Thanks again.