thanks!

 

Now, anybody out there with a 2wd in the '95-98ish range that did have trouble with their press-fit replacement ball joint(s) fitting loosely (for whatever reason)?

 

I think I've read some cases of people having loose fitting ball joints, don't know the solution though...

 

Generaljr,

Did you replace your bushings too or wish that you had? Essentially, bushing replacement = alignment check/adjustment, but with this truck being 17 yrs old and having 122k on it, these bushings may start squeaking before too long.

 

didn't replaced the bushings, they still good (No squeak or play), i had bad upper ball joints, pitman and idler arms, and the tires were wearing (cupping) really fast, and had a very loosey steering, you need to figure what parts are bad and if possible get them all together and do all in one time job

 

...you are right about the bushings being old and prone to fail, if you are planning to replace the ball joints, install a new set of bushings as you don't want to tear apart the front suspension again

 

Great...thanks!

 

We did everything except bushings on my brothers 96 2wd in 2009 at 150,00 he has 200,000 plus and no issues with bushings, still.
Yes they were all pressed in.

Dave

 

i believe the reason for loose fitting is because it is easy to press the BJ in or out at an angle out of square and enlarge or make an oval shape the hole in the UCA, the UCA is made of kind of thin material and easy to become deformed, take your time setting the pressing tool, don't drink any beer (you are only 17) and save some cash doing the job yourself

 

Haha...I wish I was only 17. It's the truck that is 17 years old. Hey, I'm ahead of it by almost 27 years, but at least my ball joints are still
good