Im getting ready to try and replace the lower ball joint on my 2001 ford ranger. Someone told me that they believed the axle had to be pulled out. I havent really every tackled anything like this but it looked pretty simple. Can anyone here offer some tech support about the do's and the donts. and it is also 4x4 Thanks!

 

Pull the cotter pin out of the axle nut with a pair of pliers and remove the axle nut with an impact wrench.

Push the axle into the wheel hub by hitting it with a rubber mallet. It's important to use a rubber mallet, not a hammer, to tap the axle in. If you damage the splines on the end of the axle, the axle will need to be replaced.

Locate the lower ball joint. The ball joint is seated in the lower control arm on the bottom of the suspension. There is a rubber boot covering most of the joint, or at least there should be. If your ball joint is damaged, it may be exposed.

Remove the mounting bolts on the brake caliper and pull the caliper off the brake rotor.

Tie the caliper assembly to the coil springs above the brake assembly with zip ties.

Remove the brake rotor by pulling it off the wheel hub.

Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint mounting nut with a pair of pliers. You'll need to give it a good yank, but it will come out.

Remove the ball joint-to-control arm mounting nut by turning it counterclockwise with a socket wrench.

Place the teeth of the ball joint removal tool where the ball joint and control arm come together. Hit the handle of the ball joint removal tool with a hammer to separate the joint from the knuckle. This will take some time and quite a bit of force, but it will eventually come apart.

Press the old ball joint out of position. Place the head of the ball joint press tool over the top of the ball joint. Turn the press handle to push the joint out of the control arm.

Looked around some more does the sound about right for a 2001 ford ranger 4x4? this post didnt say what year make or model it was just that it was a ford