How hard to change lower ball joints ?

[BlackoutExpy]

Hello I want to change my lower ball joints, I can’t really afford to buy the whole lower control arm which I read is easier. I will probably rent the ball joint press from autozone. How hard is it for someone with not too much experience. Im not new either but any tips ? Advice? Is it easy ? Lol I just want to know before I decide to go for it and then not be able to do it. Im also changing the front struts. Thanks for any help !

 

[Retiredusps]

Not really hard, Just make sure when installing new ones you line them up while pressing them back in About a six pack of your favorite refreshment helps !!!

 

[Hamfisted]

Hope you have a good air compressor and impact gun & large impact socket set. The lower strut bolt is torqued to 300 ft lbs. Have you called around to local shops to ask what they charge to do the job you want done ?







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[whtbronco]

Hamfisted is right, it is much easier to do the struts with an impact. I did it the first time with a 25" breaker bar and impact sockets though and it worked. I found taking the sway bar brackets loose from the frame so the lower control arms will droop enough makes it easy to install the new struts.

Front ball joints aren't too bad. Watch some videos on YouTube, rent a ball joint press from Advance or where ever you prefer. I'd suggest Moog or Ford ball joints. An impact helps here too, but can be done without.

 

[BlackoutExpy]

Hope you have a good air compressor and impact gun & large impact socket set. The lower strut bolt is torqued to 300 ft lbs. Have you called around to local shops to ask what they charge to do the job you want done ?







.

I went for it. I bought an impact wrench from Amazon and a 30mm socket. Some PB blaster and that bottom bolt came out easy ! Hardest part was putting the strut back in. But all good ! I didn’t do the lower ball joints myself had a mechanic come do it . I honestly think the struts are easy to change. The mechanic did struggle a but with ball joints . The expedition is feeling great I’ll get an alignment tomorrow but so far so good!

 

[whtbronco]

That's awesome.