Upper Ball joints?

[fastcat800]

Both my upper ball joints are shot. I ordered new Moogs and they should be here tomorrow. They were only $67 shipped to my door from Express Auto Parts. The alignment shop wanted about $250 to install both ball joints. I know the OEM's are riveted in, and that's not a problem as I have air tools. I have a wide tie rod fork that should work to drive them out of the taper and an aceteline torch if they need a little persuasion. Are there any other tools I need? I saw in a search some said they wished they had a ball joint press. What is that? I've never heard of one before. Do I need one? Any other advice and tips are welcome.

[NH2112]

A ball joint press is something really handy to have when doing ball joints on an IFS truck because there's not a large piece of cast steel that you can whack with a hammer to break things loose.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Automotive-BALL-JoinT-PRESS-Service-Tool-Kit-OTC-7249_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43996QQitemZ460698 5883QQrdZ1

[JoeyD]

Uppers are very easy, grind the heads off then punch the rivets out. You can hammer on the stud of the old joint as it's going in the trash anyways

[CareyWeber]

Originally posted by Dave Schumacher:
Both my upper ball joints are shot. I ordered new Moogs and they should be here tomorrow. They were only $67 shipped to my door from Express Auto Parts. The alignment shop wanted about $250 to install both ball joints. I know the OEM's are riveted in, and that's not a problem as I have air tools. I have a wide tie rod fork that should work to drive them out of the taper and an aceteline torch if they need a little persuasion. Are there any other tools I need? I saw in a search some said they wished they had a ball joint press. What is that? I've never heard of one before. Do I need one? Any other advice and tips are welcome. Carey

My ball joint fork is 1" KD # 2287.

Carey

[Hansh]

X2 what Joey said. They are easy to do. Save the 250.00 and buy any extra tools you may need. A small grinder may be nice to finish off the rivit heads. Did both of mine is a couple hours. Hardest part is getting the old rivits out of the control arm, a good air punch works good.

[G. Gearloose]

I concur, uppers are easy.

[fastcat800]

That's great news, I have a 1" fork, die grinder and air hammer. UPS tracking says parts will be here today and its supposed to be 45 degress today. Perfect for changing ball joints. Thanks for your insight guys!

[fastcat800]

New parts didn't show up till today. Started to take apart yestrerday and found I had no wrench to fit 27 mm nuts on bottom of ball joints. What do you guys use? To get on it with a socket the drive shafts have to be removed. Can't get on it with a 15" cresent wrench. I am going to go look for a 27mm or a 1 1/16" box end wrench today.