My Lower ball joint in the front is gone. It squeaks like hell everytime I pass over

uneven surfaces. I have the helms manual and the procedure is not hard, I will be

able to do it myself. My question is where can I purchase those special tools listed

in the helms manual, like the bal joint remover/installer. I called a dealer but they

couldn't help. How did you guys removes your ball joints and which tools did you

use?

Thanks.

 

I went to Autozone and rented their 5-ton claw puller for free, no time limit (they charge a $40 deposit but you get it back). It has two claws that you can wedge between the joint and the rubber boot, and a screw that presses against the bolt. In my case it didn't even ruin the boot, and the join came off easy. One thing though, keep the nut on the bottom of the bolt, because the bolt is hollow and the puller could ruin it.

I needed it in the process of changing the wheel bearing. I guess the combination of road salt and Cambridge roads did me in

 

screw the puller. What I always do is get a pry bar and place it between the LCA and the knuckle and hit the other end of the pry bar with a big hammer. It gives IMPULSES much like an impact wrench and will separate the LBJ in no time. Puller do work but u risk having it slip off while turning the freaking bolt.

 

Finally changed the ball joints today. The drive axle nut was a pain, had to use an

impact gun to remove it. I try removing it with a rachet, but it broke!

Removing the knuckle, ball joints, and brake caliper was easy. I did have to

take knuckle to my boy's shop in order to replace the lower ball joint using a

press. Thanks for the advice fellas!

 

For the next one just remove the snap ring and whack it out with BIG HAMMER your going to replace it anyways and for installation just tap it in with a ball peen.
save u all those trips................just my 2 cents