4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/lower ball joint

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Expert: - 10/24/2004


Question
i need to know how to remove the lower ball joint on the drivers side on a 1979 f-150 4x4. please help, this is my daily driver.

Answer
Kirk,

Rather than going through a complete description of this process through an e-mail, I would suggest that you purchase a repair manual for your truck.  

You can purchase a manufacturer's shop manual from a dealer.  They are quite expensive, normally costing, around $100.

A Chilton's or a Hayne's manual would be a better buy, as they can be purchased at most auto parts stores for $20.  They have a lot of information on basic trouble shooting, and repairs, along with step by step instructions on ball joint replacement.  They, also give you all the torque settings, and description of any tools that you may need, such as a pickle fork, or special pullers needed.  If you don't have some of the tools needed, and don't wish to purchase them, there are rental companies that rent these tools at a reasonable price.  These manuals are designed for a year or range of years for specific vehicles, and are invaluable if you are planning on doing any repairs, or maintenance yourself.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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