1999 Dakota Upper Ball Joint Removal HELP!
RE: 1999 Dakota Upper Ball Joint Removal HELP!
When you remove the upper control arm, it will allow you to work on the ball joint in a much easier fashion, like on a work bench versus on the vehicle.
Grand Champion
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: ontario, canada
RE: 1999 Dakota Upper Ball Joint Removal HELP!
the stock BJ's are held on with rivets, you just need to grind them off. and you'll need a BJ socket too. and they just turn out. I didmine with them still on the truck. just watch out that it doesnt fall off the jackstands when your prying on he BJ's to get them out
mine came close.
mine came close.
RE: 1999 Dakota Upper Ball Joint Removal HELP!
I would still suggest removing the upper control arms. It takes an additional 3 minutes and is well worth it to ensure an easy swap. However, you will need to get an alignment if you do not properly mark their original position before taking them off. As Jonny said, you will need to grind down the rivets and get a ball joint socket to remove them. Be very careful while removing tension from the spring. The slower the better.
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RE: 1999 Dakota Upper Ball Joint Removal HELP!
ORIGINAL: jonnymagnum
the stock BJ's are held on with rivets, you just need to grind them off. and you'll need a BJ socket too. and they just turn out. I didmine with them still on the truck. just watch out that it doesnt fall off the jackstands when your prying on he BJ's to get them out mine came close.
the stock BJ's are held on with rivets, you just need to grind them off. and you'll need a BJ socket too. and they just turn out. I didmine with them still on the truck. just watch out that it doesnt fall off the jackstands when your prying on he BJ's to get them out
mine came close.
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Grand Champion
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,645
Likes: 3
From: ontario, canada
RE: 1999 Dakota Upper Ball Joint Removal HELP!
you have to buy a socket specifically for BJ's. and since it's a specialty tool, it's expensive. I think I got mine for like $50. but you can go to autozone and probly just rent a tool if your only gonna use it once. I've used mine more than enough time to pay for its self. and only the stock BJ's are riveted in, and if they are the stock ones. just grind the rivets off and clean all around the top of it off. then spray it with ALOT of release all or what ever you like to use. then hammer the socket on to the BJ and get a johnson bar and put a pipe on top of that. I used a 3' piece of exhaust pipe. and brake them loose. there on there tight so dont be afraid of a lil brute force.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 1999 Dakota Upper Ball Joint Removal HELP!
ORIGINAL: jonnymagnum
you have to buy a socket specifically for BJ's. and since it's a specialty tool, it's expensive. I think I got mine for like $50. but you can go to autozone and probly just rent a tool if your only gonna use it once. I've used mine more than enough time to pay for its self. and only the stock BJ's are riveted in, and if they are the stock ones. just grind the rivets off and clean all around the top of it off. then spray it with ALOT of release all or what ever you like to use. then hammer the socket on to the BJ and get a johnson bar and put a pipe on top of that. I used a 3' piece of exhaust pipe. and brake them loose. there on there tight so dont be afraid of a lil brute force.
you have to buy a socket specifically for BJ's. and since it's a specialty tool, it's expensive. I think I got mine for like $50. but you can go to autozone and probly just rent a tool if your only gonna use it once. I've used mine more than enough time to pay for its self. and only the stock BJ's are riveted in, and if they are the stock ones. just grind the rivets off and clean all around the top of it off. then spray it with ALOT of release all or what ever you like to use. then hammer the socket on to the BJ and get a johnson bar and put a pipe on top of that. I used a 3' piece of exhaust pipe. and brake them loose. there on there tight so dont be afraid of a lil brute force.