I have a 01 Ram 2wd, and i'm trying to replace the balljoints. I've had a few guys try to help me on here but no luck.

I've replaced balljoints before and I know about Autozones rent-a-tool program and i've rented the balljoint press before. I've never seen balljoints installed like this before. There isn't a way to press the balljoints through like others i've worked on. I talked to a machine shop and they won't work on front end parts.

The Hayne's Manual doesn't give much detail on removal and installation. It just says take it to a machine shop to be pressed in.

Here are some pictures of what they look like so you can kind of see what i'm seeing.

<a href="http://s957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/jesssed/?action=view&current=uppercontrol2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/jesssed/uppercontrol2.jpg" border="0" alt="upper control arm"></a>

<a href="http://s957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/jesssed/?action=view&current=uppercontrol3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/jesssed/uppercontrol3.jpg" border="0" alt="upper control arm"></a>

<a href="http://s957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/jesssed/?action=view&current=uppercontrol.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/jesssed/uppercontrol.jpg" border="0" alt="upper control arm"></a>

<a href="http://s957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/jesssed/?action=view&current=lowercontrol2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/jesssed/lowercontrol2.jpg" border="0" alt="lower control arm"></a>

<a href="http://s957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/jesssed/?action=view&current=lowercontrol.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/jesssed/lowercontrol.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

html code doesn't worky so well.

 

Advice I got when I did mine was go to advance auto parts and get their press tool because it has ALOT of different fitting so one of them will work.Big hammer,penetrating spray of some kind,maybe a torch for heat.I did mine and had to end up getting another spindle/knuckle assembly because I managed to bend mine.I couldnt get my caliper back on.Im a big guy and I guess I dont know my own strength.

 

http://s957.photobucket.com/albums/a...ercontrol2.jpg

I think this where to start looking at his photos.

 

Don't need a press for those guys, as they are riveted in place. Need to blow the rivets outta there, yank the old joint, the new one should come with bolts to hold it in place.

To get them out of the knuckle (make DAMN sure you have a jack under the lower control arm, or you WILL get a surprise), use two big hammers, hold one against one side of the knuckle where the balljoint stud goes thru, and WHACK the other side with the other hammer. Couple blows, and it will hop right out.

 

god, why do these things have to be so complicated. I had a Ford Bronco II and all i had to do was get a press and press them out.

thanks guys for the info.