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Ball Joints tomorrow

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Old 08-30-2006
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Ball Joints tomorrow

Well any suggestions. I have never done them before. But I am doing the uppers with new Moog ones. I have a service manual but I am looking for any first hand experience suggestions. I gotta get em done because I failed inspection and I leave sat morning for School. So please help me out with any tips. Thanks!!!
 
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Old 08-30-2006
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First of all support the lower A arm with a jack and you will just have to remove the upper joint bolt. If I recall correctly its a 14mm, then lower the A arm down slowly and remove the two 21mm that hold the upper A arm to the frame. My truck had lock plates so camber is not adjustable without camber plates. Yours may not have this so mark where they were before you remove them so camber is not way off. You will need an alignment after the fact.
 
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Old 08-30-2006
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Sweet thanks Bill. I imagine it has had an alignment before since it has 76K on it and I wrrecked the front end once.
 
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Old 08-30-2006
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Its a good possibility then
 
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Old 08-31-2006
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Well it didn't have camber plates but I took it for an alignment and it checked out ok. I have to say that it was an easy job to do. These Moog uppers are real nice. My old ones were pretty beat cuz my suspension seems a lot more solid. Thanks again Bill!
 
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Old 08-31-2006
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Where did you get the "moog" ones from? These have grease fittings correct? how much did they run?

I think mine need replaced, because the front end feels kind of loose, but it could be because the torsions are cranked which made them go out faster...

Rocky
 
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Old 08-31-2006
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RockysFord - jack up the front of the truck and then pry on each front tire with a crowbar or something. If you see the ball joint moving around in the spindle, that's a definite sign for needing ball joints. I replaced all 4 ball joints in my truck with new greaseable Moogs and have been happy with them. -Mike-
 
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Old 08-31-2006
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Good deal man
 
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Old 08-31-2006
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Originally Posted by RockysFord
Where did you get the "moog" ones from? These have grease fittings correct? how much did they run?
MOOG (Federal Mogul) suspension parts are available just about anywhere. Auto parts stores around here get $115~145 each for the UCAs and about $30~40 each for the lower ball joints. Greasable MOOG tie rod ends are around $21~25 per side.

You can also get the parts online from places like Rock Auto and Summit Racing. Example: Rock Auto gets about $100 apiece plus shipping for the UCAs.

Part numbers here:
https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...4&postcount=48
 
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Old 08-31-2006
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I paid 120 a piece but they had them in stock and I needed them at that moment since my truck failed inspection. I actually ended up with the 2 piece passenger side one which is actually much faster to install. I did the DS in about 45 min to an hour and the PS in about 20 min.
 
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Old 08-31-2006
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I replaced the UCAs, lower ball joints and tie rod ends today, all with greasable MOOG parts. The lower ball joints have to be pressed out using a ball joint service tool but the local parts store lends it for free ($100 deposit).
 
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Old 08-31-2006
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If I wasn't on such a budget and in such a hurry, I leave for school about 7 hrs away Saturday morning. I wanted to do the lowers but just didn't work out for me this time.
 
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