1997 4wd and the lower ball joints do NOT have c-clips. How does a person go about removal of this type of ball joint, from the lower control arm? Maybe I am over thinking this, but the way I see it my options are.


a. ignore it. Press just inside of retaining band


b. grind off folded over sections of retaining band. Press to outside edge of band.


c. small flat chisel to get under folded over areas of band and pry it up and out. Then press joint down and out.

 

They are pressed in, you will have to press them out.

 

i would at least try to get the folds back in, whether it is bending them over or being a surgen with a grinder. just my opion though

 

Cut or grind that lip off. Then they press out.

Your replacements should have a c-clip.

 

I assume you are already past the fact the they are riveted?

 

2WD are rivetted. 4WD are only pressed.

 

Same thing on my 1st gen and I had to grind the lip off.

 

Ok I understand they must be pressed out, but I guess I still don't understand what is the width of the bore. Is the original ball joint (the one in the picture) one or 2 pieces. Is the "band" that is bent over for retaining, part of it or a separate band. Am I pressing to the edge of it or the inside (already flat recessed area across top)?

 

Instead of bothering you folks I could just wait til the new ones arrive, that would answer the bore size question. But I was hoping to be further along by then.

 

The "band" is what Dodge used to retain the ball joints, instead of a c-clip. Dodge did not intend for you to just change the ball joint itself and instead only supplied the entire control arm.

Just get rid of the band, grind it, chisel it, etc., and then press out the old joint.

Sorry, don't know the bore size.