Hi I have a 2002 4x4 ext cab with 4.0, can you change a ball joint lower control arm without messing with the torsion bars, please help

 

No.. the torsion bar runs right through the back side of the LCA.

 

I'm sorry, just the ball joint, not the whole arm

 

I suppose it's possible if your ball joint is pressed into the LCA. You'll most likely need to rent the proper tools from O'Reilly or Autozone or whatever you have. This will make it easier to separate the ball joint from the LCA and also press the replacement back into the LCA.

The benefit of taking it off the truck is you can beat on it w/o risk of tipping over your truck.

 

You don't need to beat on anything when doing a ball joint.... If you are, you're doing it wrong.

Rent a ball joint press, will be done in no time. Torsion bars will not be touched

 

I wouldhttps://www.ranger-forums.com/suspension-tech-36/ranger-4-inch-lift-questions-139872/ I would never beat on my truck with a hammer, after removing the circlip does the ball joint press up or down thank you

 

a few hits with a 5lb dead blow and the lower ball joint should come right out. its a waste of time pressing it out. There's no reason to not use a BFH to get it out, that LCA won't even be phased unless your aim sucks and you miss hitting the ball joint repeatedly

getting it back in however, yes requires it to be pressed in.



and if you want to save yourself even more time, pull the whole knuckle off with the axle and you'll have tons of space. This was on one of my old rangers but the same applied to my 2004 i currently have when I did replaced everything a couple of months ago.

 

No way mine were coming out with a hammer.... Was a bitch even with a press lol.

 

I always beat my ball joints with a hammer.

 

Gotta use a 5lb steel one and its easy lol

Sounds painful. Trollolol

 

Lol wouldn't budge bro. Salty roads and being an original joint 6 years old living its whole life outside, thing wasn't going anywhere without a press.

Using a hammer instead of a press is just silly anyways.

 

PUSS FGT

 

Whatever you say bud.

 

I dont beat on my truck, thank you for the tip, i appreciate it