1995 Dodge Dakota 2wd Upper Ball Joint? Help!
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Amateur
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From: Nebraska
1995 Dodge Dakota 2wd Upper Ball Joint? Help!
So my manual says i need this [C-3564-A Ball Joint Separator](http://www.etoolcart.com/balljointse...-c-3564-a.aspx What is this tool, i thought they just threaded in? I already have the socket, anyone have a better tuturial (I have the Factory Service Manual and the Chilton's Manual), [Here](https://i.imgur.com/4QpMwon.png) are the instructions from the Factory Service Manual, saying i need that tool, the C-3561 is the [Ball Joint Socket](
) that I've already bought. What am I missing/not comprehending, honestly, I'm so lost...
Edit: Fig. 7: https://i.imgur.com/KvnbZMm.png
Edit: Fig. 7: https://i.imgur.com/KvnbZMm.png
Last edited by Master X964; Aug 29, 2014 at 07:02 PM.
Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Va
I used a pickle fork to separate mine. One something like this. http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Tie-Rod-Pickle-Fork-/380984199076?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item58b46d87a4&vxp=mtr
To replace the ball joint, you remove the bottom nut off of the ball joint. Take the pickle fork, and drive it in between the knuckle and the control arm.
Then you screw the ball joint out. FWIW I found a used snap on socket on ebay for 20 dollars, and in my case I really needed the 3/4 breaker bar with a pipe on the end to separate it.
Also, you do know you have to take the spring loose. Not sure how you do this on a 2wd. The 4wd has a torsion bar so its different. Also I removed the brakes and rotors. Not sure if you have to, but it makes access easier.
To replace the ball joint, you remove the bottom nut off of the ball joint. Take the pickle fork, and drive it in between the knuckle and the control arm.
Then you screw the ball joint out. FWIW I found a used snap on socket on ebay for 20 dollars, and in my case I really needed the 3/4 breaker bar with a pipe on the end to separate it.
Also, you do know you have to take the spring loose. Not sure how you do this on a 2wd. The 4wd has a torsion bar so its different. Also I removed the brakes and rotors. Not sure if you have to, but it makes access easier.
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Amateur
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From: Nebraska
Ohhhh, okay thank you very much, i feel stupid now lol, can't understand a stupid fsm, oh well that's why there's forums right :P
So wait.... I have to remove the spring? It says i only need to put a support/jack stand under the control arm, I know for the lowers i have to take the spring out.
So wait.... I have to remove the spring? It says i only need to put a support/jack stand under the control arm, I know for the lowers i have to take the spring out.
Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 109
From: Va
Well mine is 4wd and its different so Im not for sure. It may be you just have to support the lower control arm to keep it from dropping or springing down when you separate the ball joint from the knuckle. Hopefully someone with experience with the 2wd will step in.
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Amateur
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From: Nebraska
Thank you for all your help, got them both in today, after going to the store 3 times all to end up with a stupid pickle fork that was wide enough, but the first one only took 4 hours of dickering around, and the other one took a whole 30 mins, hell $60 in parts and tools, better than $400 to have some shop do it!