pathfinder

Hey guys,

in the middle of doing upper and lower ball joints on my '90 4x4. I've managed to get the driver's side done with a pickle fork. My question is do you have to press the ball joints back in or is tightening the nut sufficient? I don't really have any way to press them in...if I tighten everything up as much as possible can it be done when I get an alignment?

Thanks!!!

flashkl

nope, they don't gotta be pressed in. Just torque it to spec and then check to see if it's loosened at all in a week, then a month or so.

pathfinder

Awesome, thanks!

Matt16

For studs found on the steering, I've always put anti-seize in the hole, then tightened the nut until the slots on the nut line up (in a vertical sense) with the hole in the stud. Then you put your cotter pin in and call it quits. No press, no torque wrench.

Also, I find pickle forks really suck on their own. I use a pitman arm puller in conjunction with the fork. Crank the puller until its tough to turn anymore, then smack it with the fork. Usually pops right out.

$30 pitman arm puller:

ovrrdrive

Torque to spec and put in the cotter pin and forget about it.

abecedarian

spin around 3 times, jump in the air and click your heels together then grease the joint...
... and check it periodically. If you put any grease / anti-sieze lube / etc. in where the joint mates with the arm, over time the grease or lube will migrate out leaving a void that will only turn in to free-play.

pathfinder

Well, spacers, shocks and four new balljoints are in. The pickle fork worked for three but the passenger side lower had to be grinded in half so I could get get the press I'd rented to work. Wahoo. DONE!

flashkl

w00t w00t w00t. Congrats