Needing to replace lower ball joint on 99 with PVH hubs. Looks like you have to remove a snap ring inside the hub to remove it, to pull axle to get steering knuckle out of the way. My snap ring pliers aren't long enough to reach the ring. Do you need a special tool to do this?

 

easier way to do it,

remove the upper ball joint and caliper, let the knuckle tip outward. remove the lower ball joint nut and pop the CV axle out of the axle housing using a small pry bar and using care not to touch the seal. separate the lower ball joint and remove the knuckle with the cv axle still attached. use care not to over extend the the cv axle

 

Thanks Toreador4x4. Not sure what you mean by not over extending the cv axle. If removing the PVH hub isn't too difficult, seems this route would be easier. I've seen several videos on removing the hubs with the big nut, which looks pretty simple.

 

i always do it by leaving the CV axle in the hub. if you break the snap ring, they are a dealer item only so i try not to remove them unless i have to....by over extending the cv axle i mean, if you pull the knuckle off and the cv axle gets hung up on the housing or whatever, you can "stretch" the cv axle enough so the bearings will fall off of the rosebud inside the boot, and you will either have to replace the CV axle or take the boots off, repair, re grease and re boot them.

 

If you have the PVH hub system like you state then you don't have the big nut that holds the cv axle. All it is is a snap ring. The easiest way to replace the lower ball is like Justin said. When you pop the CV out of the front differential you can lean it out towards you and remove the whole knuckle with the CV still attached.

 

you just need long narrow snap ring pliers to do it leaving the cv axle in car. it also helps to have it out of the way to hammer the ball joint out

 

If I did it this way, how do you remove the axle from the housing? Does it just pull out of the housing or do you have to force it out. Seems if you pull it out, it would over extend the cv joint like Toreador4x4 said.

 

If you leave the snap ring in place and remove the CV axle still attached to the knuckle you just use a pry bar and pry the CV out of the front differential. All it does is pop in and out. It's not hard to remove or install.

 

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I'll give that method a try. Is there any trick in separating the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle without tearing the rubber boot? I have a pickle fork.

 

Just be cautious when you do it. Why aren't you replacing the top as well? Just curious.

 

pry up on the lower control arm between the frame and the arm and tap down on the knuckle

 

Upon further review, I've decided to do the uppers as well. Mine is the two part upper which is a lot cheaper than the one piece on the driver's side.