Ball Joint replacement

KingZeke · 04-29-2004, 09:29 AM

Ok people, HELP! I have taken my jeep in to get an alignment and they said they did all that they could but to get it to go fully straight they would need to replace the ball joint on the passenger side. They wanted $300 for parts and labor. I don't have that kind of money. Can I get some help here? Is it some that is difficult to replace and what exactly should I be looking for? I replaced some joints on my mustang a few years ago and it wasn't too bad. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated. I new tires and just don't have $300 bucks to pop down for this. Any one have experience changing these ball joints and would this be causing my jeep to pull?

Colo.TJ · 04-29-2004, 02:15 PM

A new ball joint will run about $40 for a dana 30. It's a real pain in the a$$ getting the old joints out. Putting the new ones in is a breeze as long as you go in the right order which escapes me at this point. You will definitly need a ball joint press of some sort. You mine as well do the both sides while you are at it. You can easily check the ball joints by lifting the tire in the air w/ a jack under the knuckle. Try and move the tire side to side. If there is any play it needs to be replaced. It's easy just time consuming. Hence the $300.

Colorado 5.9 · 04-29-2004, 10:41 PM

Here is a great article by Andreas Ritterbusch
at www.madxj.com It's for adjustable ball joints but the procedure is same. http://www.madxj.com/MADXJ/technical...balljoints.htm

As far as him having probs with Harber Freight's ball joint remover/press I've never heard anything bad about them.

KingZeke · 04-30-2004, 06:46 AM

Thanks for the info. I think I will be doing it my self with some help from my Father in Law. He has more tools and he is the one who helped me do my Mustang ball joints. Well I guess it will be a couple of weeks but the info is great.

Colo.TJ · 04-30-2004, 10:24 AM

EDIT: When raising the vehicle DO NOT place the jace under the knucke. This will support the knuckle and you won't be able to tell if there is any movment. Place the jack near the knuckle on the axle tube. You only need to raise it enough to remove weight from the wheel and tire.

KingZeke · 05-15-2004, 11:08 AM

Well thanks guys for the info. I decided to take it to a shop so that they could do it. The adjustable balljoint was around $100 and this place I took it to did the installation and the alignment of the whole thing for only $200. It is running great and no more pull. Well worth the money.

AprilzWarrior · 05-22-2004, 09:49 PM

$100 for an Offset Ball Joint is not bad at all... normally running in at $90.

Its a DIY job, rent the tools from AutoZone or whatever... Its not that bad, and not worth paying a shop to do it IMO.

AW

04-29-2004, 09:29 AM	#1
KingZeke Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 132	Ball Joint replacement Ok people, HELP! I have taken my jeep in to get an alignment and they said they did all that they could but to get it to go fully straight they would need to replace the ball joint on the passenger side. They wanted $300 for parts and labor. I don't have that kind of money. Can I get some help here? Is it some that is difficult to replace and what exactly should I be looking for? I replaced some joints on my mustang a few years ago and it wasn't too bad. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated. I new tires and just don't have $300 bucks to pop down for this. Any one have experience changing these ball joints and would this be causing my jeep to pull? __________________ 1997 Grand Cherokee Laredo with a 2" Budget Boost, 31" AT Tires. "It isn't wise to upset the Wookie"

04-29-2004, 02:15 PM	#2
Colo.TJ HELL ON ROCKS Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Northglenn, CO. Posts: 1,655	A new ball joint will run about $40 for a dana 30. It's a real pain in the a$$ getting the old joints out. Putting the new ones in is a breeze as long as you go in the right order which escapes me at this point. You will definitly need a ball joint press of some sort. You mine as well do the both sides while you are at it. You can easily check the ball joints by lifting the tire in the air w/ a jack under the knuckle. Try and move the tire side to side. If there is any play it needs to be replaced. It's easy just time consuming. Hence the $300. __________________ 01' TJ-7 Flat Fender. Rubicon Express long arm, 4 to 1, Currie HP9" front, Currie 9" rear, ARBs, 4.56s, and 37" Iroks. SOLD.

04-29-2004, 10:41 PM	#3
Colorado 5.9 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Lakewood, Co. Posts: 242	Here is a great article by Andreas Ritterbusch at www.madxj.com It's for adjustable ball joints but the procedure is same. http://www.madxj.com/MADXJ/technical...balljoints.htm As far as him having probs with Harber Freight's ball joint remover/press I've never heard anything bad about them. __________________ 98 ZJ 5.9, 7" TnT long arm lift ,TnT sliders,TrXus 35X12.50x16's, 4.56's, front Arb'ed HP D30, Aussie locked rear & lots of other things. My 5.9 Pics. Latest 5.9 Pics.

05-22-2004, 09:49 PM	#7
AprilzWarrior Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7	$100 for an Offset Ball Joint is not bad at all... normally running in at $90. Its a DIY job, rent the tools from AutoZone or whatever... Its not that bad, and not worth paying a shop to do it IMO. AW __________________ ZJ Lifted Locked Loaded I do Installs !

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04-30-2004, 06:46 AM	#4
KingZeke Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 132	Thanks for the info. I think I will be doing it my self with some help from my Father in Law. He has more tools and he is the one who helped me do my Mustang ball joints. Well I guess it will be a couple of weeks but the info is great.

04-30-2004, 10:24 AM	#5
Colo.TJ HELL ON ROCKS Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Northglenn, CO. Posts: 1,655	EDIT: When raising the vehicle DO NOT place the jace under the knucke. This will support the knuckle and you won't be able to tell if there is any movment. Place the jack near the knuckle on the axle tube. You only need to raise it enough to remove weight from the wheel and tire.

05-15-2004, 11:08 AM	#6
KingZeke Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 132	Well thanks guys for the info. I decided to take it to a shop so that they could do it. The adjustable balljoint was around $100 and this place I took it to did the installation and the alignment of the whole thing for only $200. It is running great and no more pull. Well worth the money.