Hi folks,
Been awhile since I have been on here, but I need some help. I have never done ball joints in my life. I think I can handle them though. My question is, my lower driver side one is bad. Should I do the top while I am at it? Second question I remember when I had an alignment done awhile ago the guy said something about the vacuum system making it harder? Not sure what he ment by that, any insight would be helpful. O also I saw the guy in a video hit the old joint out with a slug hammer. You guys advise? thanks so much in advance.

 

What year ranger are we talking about here.. I know 98+ T-bar rangers are like a 3hrs per side according to all data.

 

I have a 1999 ranger

 

T-bars are a PITA if you've never done them before. i've you've got the time then i recommend going ahead and doing it, but you should look into a ball joint press kit, ask around to see if anyone has one, it'll make your job 10x easier.
I think Pedro (99offroadrngr) just did his a while ago, you might want to see if he could offer some insight.

 

What makes it harder with the t-bar suspension may I ask? And those kits they rent out at like a o'reilly's right? they are the tool that pushes the new ball joint on, and can you use it to take the old one off? You guys are fast thanks

 

its not hard at all. do all 4 at the same time. its like replacing a tire who just gets one do all 4 at the same time and get some grease ones

 

yea, i think you can rent them, and they can do both. I always found it hard to do because of how the T-Bar suspension is set up. no room to work.

 

Alright thanks a lot guys, I dont have to worry about the vacuum system at all then?

 

you have a live axle its different than a PVH system.


To the OP, if you want to save yourself time, don't bother taking the PVH hub off. When i did mine, i pulled my front axles, got a BFH (big ****in hammer) and hit the old ball joint off. to install the new one you'll need to press it in. You can rent a press for them at your local Autozone or Advance Auto Parts. Luckily, my friend whos a Ford tech had one and brought it over.

a picture from when they got done.


pulled the axle out with the whole knuckle, did the balljoint and reinstalled. you don't need to remove the hub that way and it will save you time.

 

Thanks offroad, I feel dumb asking, but I have been searching online and I am not quite sure what the difference is between a live axle and PVH system. What does PVH stand for? Last question, do I need that fork looking tool? I have scene people use them and I am guessing it is to create seperation. I suck at this suspension talk.

 

PVH is "Pulse Vacuum Hub" assuming you have a 98-00 since your title says you have a vacuum engaging 4x4.

I didnt use a "fork tool" when i did mine

 

when i did mine i beat the living s#$t out of the old one with a hammer and used a jack and a block of wood to push the new one up and also used a hammer to hit the steering knuckle down while i jacked it up.

 

why make yourself more work when you can rent the correct tool for free? just put it an impact and blast it on slowly

 

It really wasn't that hard. The weight of the truck did most of the work.