I am looking at a 1990 W150 4X4. It needs a new fuel pump and a lower right ball joint. I have looked around online and did a search here for the ball joint replacement procedure (I think I can handle the fuel pump) without much success....does anyone know if this can be done in the driveway without alot of hassle, and what tools are needed?

Thanks

Dan

 

Rear balljoint? On the rear axle?

Solid axles don't have balljoints unless they're on the steering end.

That being said, balljoints usually take a special puller-thing to remove (I can't for the life of me remember what its called).

 

it's a fork.....yeah I don't know why I said rear....I think because the guy who has it said that. So now I'm not sure if it even is a ball-joint the thing needs. I can see it if it's on the front, but on the back I dunno. He might have meant a right lower ball joint.

 

To test the front end ball joints, jack the front tires about an inch off the ground, put a bar under it, and try and pry it up and down while a friend watches the balljoint for play.

as for removal and reinstallation of the balljoint, you'll need the tools for it or else it will be a major pain in the butt.

 

yeah, I pretty much knew how to test the balljoint....just wasn't sure how much hassle they are to change. I guess there are two types Dodge used on the 1st generation trucks, the thread in type and the pop-in kind.....the old man says the thread in type are easy.

 

4wd are all pressed in. Do both the upper and lower and it would be a good idea to do both sides. On the W150 you should have a D44 front axle-FYI.
Many people do this job in their driveway. You will need a ball joint press, torque wrench, special socket if you do the upper for the adjusting sleeve. Most auto parts stores will loan out a ball joint press. Don't use cheap ball joints or you'll be right back there in 3 months replacing them again. They should cost you about $25/$30+ each for the best ones.




http://autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/090...es.htm#hd1-1-2

 

thanks.....I've usually been careful to buy better parts (except when it comes to brake pads....my understanding is that the lifetime pads are lifetime because they ruin your disks....who the hell would want to do that?)

Hopefully that socket is readily available. I'll check it out.