[Goobersbro]

So Yesterday i went looking for some ball joints and i found two types the guy at the front end shop told me when i go to buy the ball joints to go with the grade two ones but im wondering if its worth it. The grade two ones Feature Low-Friction Bearing Design For Minimal Turning Effort and are Coated To Resist Corrosion & Prevent Rust.

The regular ones are just your basic greasable ball joint. The hang up is that the normal ones run me 19$ for the top and 22$ for the lower the grade 2 ones run me 50$ for the top and 60$ for the lower. So its a pretty signifacant difference. He did tell me not to go with the adjustables because they tend to fall apart faster and i dont need them. So what are your guys opinions should i pay the extra dollar and get the grade 2 or what. I plan on calling 2 maro i hope to talk to him about it again.

Also have any of you guys done the job i was quoted at around 280-350 to have a shop do it and if its something that isnt terrible i figure i would like to do it because money is super tight rite now. Like how bad can you screw up on a ball joint job. I can get a ball joint press, pickle fork and the other tools needed just wondering how much of a pain in the rear it truly is and how easy it is to screw something like this up???

[JeeperDon]

I'd get better ones, but if you are doing it yourself, look around at normal auto parts stores first.

Doing it yourself is not hard, needing more muscle power than brain power. One of the 'ball joint press kits' like this one is pretty much required. If you collect tools, this one is good to have. If you don't collect, borrow one from a Jeep club buddy. Air impact gun and sockets helps a lot too, to make it easier to clamp the 'C' press tool, but is not absolutely required to do the job. With the tool, just pay attention to the sequence you do the work, which joint first out and in. I don't remember exactly, but I think having the lower joint out while putting the upper one in works best (so the tool can use the empty hole of the lower).

[the_mork]

I just did them on a ZJ which is an identical process and it did turn into an annoying job but much nicer than the $400 I was quoted. The whole process including going out twice to get tools took about 7 hours but I had never done the job before. I think now that I could do it in 3-4 hours. Besides the press you will also need a large enough socket to take the axle nuts off (and you should do them before you take the tires off and lift the Jeep) as well as a 12 point socket that fits the inside hub bolts (9/16 I think assuming it is the same as a ZJ).

[MLJeeper]

Unless you enjoy replacing ball joints more than you have to, Id go with the higher quality ones. I normally use the Moog joints at napa. The tool Don linked to is a definite jeep toolbox requirement IMO. Its cheap and along with air tools or a good battery impact make this job much much easier.

[Goobersbro]

okay yea the guy told me to buy them from napa so i will go with the better ones. So i guess i will go find a good write up and tackle this thing on a weekend. Because yea i dont feel like spending 350 bucks if i can do it on a weekend and its not terribly hard

[JeeperDon]

Originally Posted by the_mork

Besides the press you will also need a large enough socket to take the axle nuts off.

You don't need to do that, just pull the axles with the hubs on, after undoing the 3 12-point bolts holding the hub on.

[the_mork]

I'll keep that in mine for next time.

[Goobersbro]

Hey another noob question i know its probably dumb but every dumb question i get an answer to makes me just a little smarter uhm what did most of you guys do for the grease gun do most of you have your own and would this be a good time to buy one or should i just rent one. I dont mind buying one since im doing the job myself as long as i dont spend over like 200 on tools i will be happy because i will still be under the shop's quote at 350.

So with that said if i do buy one is there any particular gun i should buy and what kind of grease am i going to want to buy.

[JeeperDon]

About a mandatory shop tool for a Jeeper is an air compressor able to run impact wrenches and such. Given that, any air powered grease gun is fine, better than a hand operated one. I use this one.

[Goobersbro]

yea we have a good air compressor so i will look into something like that thanks don you have been tons of help and thanks to everyone else also

[Axl Jack]

Try not to grease the ball joints to the point where grease is pouring over the top (or out the side). That breaks the seal. Not a big deal if you do, but better if you don't.

And NAPA, at least around here in the North East region, carries TRW. Summit Racing has MOOG. I'm still trying to find somewhere where I can get some Spicer myself.

I did find a website that has Spicer upper ball joints..... They are $62 each. But to hijack this thread for a moment.... they are all the same price but come in a variety of part numbers where you can have caster / camber adjustments from 1/2 degree up to 2 degree. Is there any particular one that should be purchased?

[Goobersbro]

yea the local napa here in town carries spicer as for the ones that are suppose to help caster angles the guy at the front end shop told me there is other ways to fix it and that those wear out a lot faster

[Opihi59]

Goober....I picked up one of these to help me do my upcoming balljoint job. Once I get it done, I suppose I'll have to post up a thread if it comes out alright. I am not sure what is available out here, but I was looking at Moog with more than just casual interest. Quite honestly though, at the present I am likely unencumbered with legitimate experience in the matter, but I got the tool..........and that is likely the bigger part of the task.