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Pressing in ball joints the right way

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Old 01-11-2014
k.blakeley's Avatar
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Pressing in ball joints the right way

Wish I would have found this video instead of the other one that caused me to bust the rubber on my brand new Moog ball joint. Show the proper configuration you will need to use also with the ball joint press.



FYI when you get to the point where you have to switch the receiver around TAKE THE RUBBER CUP OFF THE BALL JOINT!! Then press it in there the rest of the way and put it back on just like in the video.

I watched a few videos where they pressed in on with the rubber cup still on the ball joint. This caused mine to bust the drivers side BJ and I don't have time to order a new one. I wonder if Moog sells just the rubber cup?

Lesson learned, worst case is it causes it to wear prematurely but Ill at least get a couple of years out of it. New Moog upper control arms fully assembled, Cam bolts for alignment, new Moog lower BJs. Ive spent so much money and time working on my truck Im about ready to set it on fire if anything else is wrong. All that is left now is to get it aligned finally.

**** you how to video that showed the wrong way, **** you.
 
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Old 01-11-2014
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I've never had any problems with lower bj installation with the press kit or an improvised press kit using exhaust tubing, a jack, and a BFH. Done a handful of T-bar Rangers thus far.

Sorry you have problems, but happy to hear everything is in! Did those lowers work out alright? Your other thread listed coil-spring truck lowers.
 
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Old 01-11-2014
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Yeah had to call Rockauto and get the correct parts, the parts I was needing were not listed on their site.

Im just going to keep the joint that has the busted rubber cup full of grease so nothing gets inside. I tried to repair it with black silicone but as soon as you move the BJ around it breaks the seal. Oh well.

The truck runs down the road alot quieter, no more noise from the ball joints.

Does Moog sell just the rubber boot?
 
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Old 01-11-2014
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I don't know. I know I've seen replacement boots by Energy Suspension. But at that rate, and the labor involved in just swapping a boot, not to mention how cheap the Moog's are through RockAuto, I'd just swap the joint. It'll be a grease mess eventually.
 
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Old 01-11-2014
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True but Im just tired of ******* with it for awhile. This will work for atleast a couple of years and by then I may have a shop or a nice place to work on it. But for now, **** it. I just wanted to share the right way to press them in.
 
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Old 01-11-2014
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Not arguing that feeling.... happens every time I do something to mine now.

A simple Explorer disc swap turned into destroying my carrier to get the axle shafts out thanks to a snapped crosspin retaining bolt...and that lead to a $800 locker upgrade. Coil-over swap was complete and ready to drive save for a damn lower not threading all the way and a outer rod end being cross threaded. If it's not one thing, it's another. Currently chasing trans problems on mine.....again. lol.
 
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Old 01-11-2014
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Yep and we are not getting any younger either. Im pushing 30yrs old and everything hurts for awhile after a job like this.
 
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Old 04-10-2014
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I like 1A Auto's videos. Lots of help, can see and hear everything!
 
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