ball joints

[chevyCowboy]

im in need of 4 new ball joints any one have any recomendations as far as brands go the local parts store carries moog but i was just wondering if there was any thing better

 

[DMDK]

rockauto.com had every moog item i needed $10-20 cheaper than local store

 

[NovaGuy]

X2 on rockauto.com but i perfer SPICER

 

[DEERE3594]

I have always been real happy with Moog, I didnt know Spicer made ball joints, good to know! :thumbsup:

 

[chevyCowboy]

so which is better the price at rock auto is about the same

 

[shortcircut65]

i just picked up uppers, lowers, and outter tie-rod ends for mine. $130. all 6, advance auto. well, i should probably tell you that my cousin works in the commercial part of the store....

 

[blizzardplowman]

Just did the 01, all Moog here. Got a love the life time warranty.

 

[chevyCowboy]

All right i got my new parts today and im ganna change the pitman arm, idler arm, and all 4 ball joints and all four tierod end iv never done any of these things yet so are there any special tools im ganna need my chiltons book says something about some but i found that there are other ways to do things than how they say.
I hate being halfway into a project and not have a special tool i need
Thanks

 

[shortcircut65]

one big tip of advice. throw out the pickle fork!!! i learned a very cool trick to separating the ball joints/tie rod ends. take off the king nut, grab a 5lb sledge hammer, and hit the joint. it may take a few hits, but dont be afraid to give it a few good hits. scarry at first, but trust me, it work very well. thats how i got my outter t/r ends and upper b/j's

 

[just a number]

I learned to do it half way with the pickle fork. just take the nut off, get it well jammed in there and then turn the steering. it'll pop right off

 

[shortcircut65]

with the pickle fork, it messes up the steel on the joints, and makes it not-so-smooth operation

 

[chevyCowboy]

Well after 12hrs straight wiht only stops to eat i got all 4 ball joints the pitman arm , idler arm, all 4 tie rod ends one hub and one cv shaft replaced only hard part was geting the darn rivits out of the old ball jooints i just ground them off and then drilled in a ways and hit the piss out of them with a slege and punch. the pitman and idler arent to easy to get at but i got her dun i figure i save my self around a grand just in labor and prolly 100 by buying the parts from rockauto

 

[Ed HD]

Glad to hear! Hope your truck drives a lot better now.

 

[chevyCowboy]

it dose i forgot to mention that i put a new procomp steering stabilizer that i had on and all the bouncing of the steering wheel like when driving on gravel is better it still needs aligned but dosent pull as bad to the left like it did before

 

[DMDK]

Nice job!! I got hung up on the pitman, by not taking 2 bolts of the steering box.

Can u describe the steering stabilizer - is it easy to install? does it cure high speed vibration(70-80mph) that causes the steering wheel to bounce?

Thanks-details appricated- got a vibration thread thats driving me nuts.