Do I need special tools? I'm thinking about tackling this job myself. I'm getting crazy quotes for like 350-500 bucks.

 

You will need a ball joint press. Special Tool Yes

 

I used a simple hydrolic press.

 

I don't have a ball or hydraulic press. Crap. I guess i'll have to take it in.

 

autozone loan a tool

i took mine out with the remover tool and a good impact, with the truck on jack stands i didn't have enough room to put the new ball joints in with it. so i took the control arms off and put it in my hydraulic press. could of used the c clamp to put the ball joints back in, but the press was faster and easier.

 

Good info. Thanks.

 

Easy to do with a ball joint press. Auto Zone loaner tool Or . I purchase this tool At Harbor freight.
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...o?itemid=38335

 

I wonder what horror freight charges for that press. I bought it from sumit racing for like $100 and it looks like the exact same item.

 

Sorry to say, paid $30 for it . It`s not top quality but it gets the job done.

 

I like tools and using new ones but not sure how I would use it to pop it out. Why do I not trust any professional mechanic to work on my truck either?

 

pretty much the ball joint presses out the bottom with the screw on top. It's easy. Just use the correct "cups" on the top and bottom. Helps to have a impact gun too.

 

Just replaced my lower ball joints this past weekend, cost me $66.00.
Used my brothers shop and tools to do the job, he is a mechanic by trade, also got to use his discount at O'Reilly and they deliverd.

 

Aww... that's very helpful. Pops out the bottom. I guess the gun will screw off the nut from the joint a lot easier cause it might just spin if done with a hand wrench?

 

Dude you can't brag about that unless you do it for me too.

 

this may be a dumb question but how do I know when its time to replace my ball joints?