I installed my lower ball joints today... :) Check 1st post!
 

Hey everyone, I am planning to install some new lower ball joints this Saturday. I have a couple of questions though. I am also wanting to crank my torsion bars while I'm at it, but I thought that I remember someone saying something like it would be better to disconnect the upper control arms so that you don't go through ball joints like we go through candy. What is THE proper way to crank t-bars. Also if I don't use a press to press the ball joints in then how hard will it be to get them in w/ out one?

**EDIT** I installed them this morning, each side took me approx. abotu 30-45. min. taking everything apart & putting it back together.

I didn't use a ball joint press, & they went in like a breeze, I haven't drove my truck since then, I'm just waiting to get an allignment...

Brenton

You can beat the balljoint out with a hammer....But you have to have a press to put the new one in..Most parts stores will rent Ball Joint Presses for free..(deposit)
as far as the T bar crank..just crank them up ...do it evenly though..
ifyou turn the left side 5 times turn the right 5 times.. it changes your camber alitttle when you crank them... thats why you have to do it evenly..
I would recommend an alignment after the ball joint install and or the t bar crank!

Yes, I'm defintly getting an allignment. Because my truck will not hold an allignment & the store said that I needed lower ball joints, but they wanted around $600 to fix it...

Brenton

2wd or 4wd?
Where did you get the quote?

2wd, a local auto shop called Savannah Tire...

Brenton

I had my 4x4 done last june and it cost I think 150 bucks for them to fix the B-joints.. I would find another shop!

man thats high!
the labor here is 72 an hour
im not to sure exactly what the labor is but well say it is ~2 hours (maybe .5 hrs) morefor both sides-144
the ball joints are 45 a peice (thats my price ...may be higher there) ~100
one time alignment 69.99 ...lifetime alignment 139.99
well under $600

give these guys a call

Firestone Tire & Service Center
7805 Abercorn St
Savannah, GA 31406
(912) 354-1346
let me know what they qoute you! I can write a quote for you tomorrow and email it to you!

Well my friend's dad is a mechanic & he is supposed to help me out on it, or well he's gonna do it...

Brenton

lol..ok

But does anyone know THE correct way to properly crank the torsion bars? Should I do it whil I have the spindle disconnected & the truck being already off the ground?

Brenton

You can do it right now sitting in your driveway if you want.....

But I thought that unless you disconnect something than the ball joints will keep going bad?

Brenton

nope, do it with everything connected

you have to loosen (not remove) the 4 upper A arm bolts where they atach to the frame to free the bushings then with the truck on the ground you can adjust the torsion bars, then when you get the height where you want it tighten the 4 bolts and torque them to 65 ftlbs

Ok, thanks Mark, that's what I was waiting for...

Brenton

crawl under the truck... put a socket on the nut and start turning.... count the turns of course do the same to the other side... i would go drive it over some bumps, have heard people say it can settle a lil i dunno... then measure the fender heights and adjust again accordingly

I'm so glad i don't have torsion bars anymore...lol

Haha oh rub it in everyone's face why dontcha? You don't have a driving truck either! = P

As far as cranking t-bars, I just did mine in the driveway no disconnecting or anything. Never had a problem yet!

I think John Griggs posted something about changing balljoints just recently. See if you can find the thread Brenton.

Yeh, I've seen it before, actually lots of times... But thanks Kyle...

Brenton

Check 1st post...

Brenton