Suspension Tech General discussion of suspension for the Ford Ranger.

Balljoints

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Old 09-29-2010
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Balljoints

Need some help on changing ball joints on a 93 ranger x-cab 4x4. Already removed brakes, rotor and hub. how do reomove the upper and lower ball joints?
 
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Old 09-29-2010
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the lowers your going to have tho hit out with a bfh. uppers the arms have to be replaced
 
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Old 09-29-2010
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The arm that the ball joints sit in? isn't that one piece? Do I have to get the whole piece?
 
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Old 09-30-2010
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I looked up the info ona haynes repair manual and 93 ranger 4x4 doesn't have control arms.
Is this correct?

Do I need a puller to get out the ball joints?

Any help is greatful.
 
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Old 09-30-2010
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Originally Posted by aiezzi
the lowers your going to have tho hit out with a bfh. uppers the arms have to be replaced

He's got a TTB, not the newer SLA that you are referring to.

Did you try the tech library at The Ranger Station? I THINK there may be a bolt involved, but not sure...I just remember the top being a PITA to get out, my friend wound up cutting them out with a torch. Lots of guys over there have the older Rangers and experience to go with it.
 
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Old 10-01-2010
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You need a ball joint press, once the knuckle is removed, there's a few clips around the ball joints, then use the press to remove them and install them.
The press looks like a c clamp on steroids. Autozone rents them.
 
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Old 10-02-2010
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Thanks
 
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Old 10-03-2010
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you could do it the old old fashioned way and freeze the lower ball joints for about 2 or so hours in a conventional freezer and when everything is ready, heat up the lower a arm so the heat expands the opening where the lower ball joint is supposed to go, then once heated, drop in the new ball joint and the metal should contract while the ball joint itself thaws.......but thats old old school and yeah, might as well have a press but its a redneck way to do it! haha you get to play with fire!
 
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Old 10-04-2010
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Any ideas on removing the spindle? I have beat on it with a hammer and board but won't move.
 
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Old 10-04-2010
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Use a cold chisel around the edge where it meets the knuckle. Just keep going around until you get a gap, then wail on it with a dead blow. Clean out the hole after you pull the axle shafts, and use anti seize when you put it back in, makes it easy to remove later.
 
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Old 10-05-2010
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Originally Posted by t0x1k
Use a cold chisel around the edge where it meets the knuckle. Just keep going around until you get a gap, then wail on it with a dead blow. Clean out the hole after you pull the axle shafts, and use anti seize when you put it back in, makes it easy to remove later.
x2. Did some work on my friends 93, and it was RUSTED on there. Almost seemed like one piece until I got a small gap, then BEAT on it with a chisel. Try to work around it also, don't just wail on one spot.
Rosebud tip on a torch can help too, along with LOTS of PB.
 
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Old 10-05-2010
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I'll give it a try. Thanks
 
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Old 10-15-2010
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from what ive read, there is a "pinch" bolt on the ball joints and you have to remove that. Im about to go through the same thing, so let me know how it turns out!
 
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Old 10-15-2010
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I haven't removed the balljoints from the truck yet. I have removed the pinch bolt but have not figured out how to remove it, but i will let you know this weekend when I work on it more.
 
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Old 10-16-2010
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Alright that works,how hard were the bearings to get to?
 
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Old 10-16-2010
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Since I am replacing rotor,bearings, seal, balljoints and brakes. The only thing I had to worry about was removing the hub with a few parts. Once the hub is removed the rotor should come right off. The bearings are pretty easy, make sure you get a new seal for the back of the rotor. I just have to figure out how to get the balljoints off the the truck but I will today some how. I will let you know.
 
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Old 10-18-2010
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Dont do what I did and put the damn locknut on backwards lol sat there for 20 minutes wondering why the snap ring wouldnt line up. about 2 hours total time, first time doing them and most was because I was checking the whole front end. I dont like the fact that I have a hybrid fake dana 35 but its ok.
 
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Old 10-19-2010
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I can't get the ball joints off the spindle, I rented a puller but can't get it done. I am taking it to a machine shop to have them pressed out and then the new ones pressed in. It is costing $60 to have this done not to mention that I live in a very small town in AZ and that the nearest shop is 50 miles away. Any thoughts on getting them out would help.
 
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