Ball Joint

[Mccoyver]

My 76 Bronco failed inspection becuase of the passenger side lower ball joint is worn out. How do I replace that and do I need a special tool to do it?

 

[seminolepete]

I just recently replaced my upper and lower ball joints on each side and complete tie rod assembly to include the axle U joints. Big job and not terrible expensive but it is time consuming. Once you get past the spindle and the axle yokes you can rent a ball joint press from like Advanced Auto. It helps but I still had to take a five pound hammer to get the uppers to release. They were very well seated. The bottoms were not near as bad. Use a press machine to get the new ones in. I suggest you replace both upper and lower and the U joints once you get inside. Again it is a big job and takes some time. The was my first time doing it though and well worth the work and money.

 

[Guest]

I also did mine about 2 months ago, it only cost a couple of bucks extra at a shop to have them pressed in and out if you have the parts and don't have the press or time.Deffinatly do both upper and lower at the same time. takes time to get all the parts off to get to the ball joints and if you are like me you would rather be driving than going back into the front end to replace something minor. (Remember it's only as strong as its weakest part!)

 

[Mccoyver]

Thanks for your advice guys. The auto shop wanted to charge me 150 bucks to replace the bearings in just labor. I will go ahead and give it another shot. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Mccoy

 

[seminolepete]

If you don't already have one one buy a Haynes manual for a 73-79 Ford Pickup/Bronco. It came in very handy. Also you will need the spindle socket to get the bearings and hub off. My ball joints had an adjustment sleeve that held them on and the removal tool was hard to find. Only place in town that hed one was Car Quest. I forget the name but it looks like the splindle socket but smaaler. Hope this helps.

 

[Broncoholics]

I've always used my handy sledge hammer and a few pieces of pipe and it works great. One large on the bottom to drive it into and a smaller one on top to push the bushing out. Do't forget to take off the snap rings before you start.