jeep_freek88 Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 So it turns out my front ball joints need to be replaced, and my repair manual just tels me I need a special tool so i should bring it to a shop. well thats just not how i like to do things. I need detailed instructions for replacing front ball joints in a dana 30 front axle on a 1989 Comanche Pics and instructions would be great. thanks for the help. :bowdown: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddzz1 Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Here you go: http://www.madxj.com/ Click on tech articles, then on adjustable ball joints. The process is the same for regular ball joints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepthing07 Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 you can rent the tool for free at autozone or you can get a OTC brand set like this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OTC-3-IN ... enameZWDVW cheap off ebay. the generic ones will just bend and be worthless. i bought a OTC off ebay with the extra cups for $30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeep_freek88 Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 holy smoke better have a whole day for that and a case of beer :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deziped Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Yeah but drink half that beer the evening before you start & the other half when yor finished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 holy smoke better have a whole day for that and a case of beer :cheers: Two hours tops using a cheap steel ball joint press and some assorted 3/4" drive sockets. Don't heat the knuckles like th MadXJ write-up shows. Strike the ends of the knuckles on the backside where the joints go threw the knuckle. If you are doing ball joints you should check the axle u-joints and replace them also if they are old or in poor shape. I also recommend Spicer parts be used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeep_freek88 Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 would you all recomend doing both sides at the same time because I'm gonna have to rent a tool, and just for the sake of even wear? :hmm: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddzz1 Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 I would defiately do both sides. I am having mine done in the next few weeks. I got u-joints for both sides also and I got moog uppers and lowers for both sides. I was gonna try it myself but my mechanic said he would do all of it for $150 so i am just gonna have him do it. My truck is also an 89 U-joints are 260X for spicers Moog ball joints are part# 3134 for upper and 3137 for lower. Rockauto is the best prices i found for the moog ball joints and ok4wd.com has good prices on the u-joints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeep_freek88 Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 how much are you paying for the ball joints madzz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeep_freek88 Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 My mechanic quoted me $640.00 labor + $106.00 for balljoints both sides upper and lower so $746.00 pluss whaterver U joints cost :eek: So that means 2 things #1 I need a new mechanic #2 I'm going to rent the tool and do it all my self. which solves #1 I nominate myself to be new mechanic forever :D my cost- 25.99 moog upper and lower ball joints u joints ?? havent checked yet cube of beer for the help 16.00 $104.00 ball joints tool if free after i return it I just have to pay a deposit 120+u joints :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddzz1 Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Where did you find moog ball joints for $26? If it is the ebay site they are not moog even tho the site says they are. They are omix ada ball joints. I sent them an email about it and reported them to ebay. Its gonna cost you about $90 for the uppers and $70 for the lowers. $30 apiece for the u-joints form ok4wd.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeep_freek88 Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 O'Reilly Auto Parts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeep_freek88 Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 Sorry my mistake the brand is master pro which is O'Reilly Auto Parts brand they have a lifetime warrenty and are identical to moog any oppinion on master pro??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddzz1 Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Sorry my mistake the brand is master pro which is O'Reilly Auto Parts brand they have a lifetime warrenty and are identical to moog On a part like ball joints spend the money on good ones. The warranty is great but do you really want to do the job again next year? Id rather buy the moogs and know they will last probally as long as the jeep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeep_freek88 Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 Yea valid point but money is tight. so I suppose I can give a review on master pro in a year. I have had good luck with O'Reilly parts so i guess we shall see thanks for the advise. :dunno: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWLONGSHOT Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 I understand money can be tight. But remember, when them cheapies go bad you will have to spend MORE money on the ones you should have bought in the first place. THEN the hassle of doing the hole job over again... Just trying to help you benefit form YEARS of experience doing things twice... :eek: :roll: CW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonedef131 Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I agree that now is the time to spend the money on the nice ones. After doing this job you will not regret the few extra bucks you dropped, because you will never want to do it again. I did mine this past winter and did the wheel bearings and front axle U-joints which were terrible, so you might check those while you are in there. My father in law who is a mechanic said that if you have trouble getting the new ones in you can shave just a hair off of them on the bench grinder. I have never had to do it, but I can't imagine with the amount of weight on them that they would ever come out, I mean they are still going to be incredibly tight in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWLONGSHOT Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Getting the old ones out is the generally problem. BEFORE installing new ones, thouroughly clean the bores looking for burs or irregularitys in both the bore and the new joint. CW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjbliley Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Before you install the new ones, place them in the freezer a night or two before you install them. they will slip in alot easier and make your life alot nicer. Same holds true for control arm bushings and the like. A really old man told me this trick a long time ago and it has never let me down yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeep_freek88 Posted August 11, 2008 Author Share Posted August 11, 2008 yea I plan on putting new U joints in too if I put in brand name ball joints it will be like $100 more Ill just put moog in and pay the money. master pro have nylon sleeves forget that bull moog have bronze that sounds better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeep_freek88 Posted August 11, 2008 Author Share Posted August 11, 2008 What about McQuay-Norris Ball Joints? Does anyone have an oppinion on this brand? They also have a life time warrenty and metal sleves. :dunno: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeep_freek88 Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 Ok I have all my parts. U-joints, upper,and lower ball joints and required tools I am going to put them all in tomorrow....Any last minute words of wisdom? :???: Thanks for all the help. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWLONGSHOT Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Good Luck!! CW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
possum Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Before you install the new ones, place them in the freezer a night or two before you install them. they will slip in alot easier and make your life alot nicer. Same holds true for control arm bushings and the like. A really old man told me this trick a long time ago and it has never let me down yet. Yup, the racing shop I used to work at sleeved our blocks in this manner. We put the blocks in an oven for a few hours set on 450 and put the sleeves in coolers packed with dry ice then they slide right in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeep_freek88 Posted August 15, 2008 Author Share Posted August 15, 2008 So I was told not to cheep out on ball joints and to buy moog. So what did I do. Thats right I cheeped out and am now paying for it. I bought McQuay-Norris Ball Joints For 29.99 a piece and you guessed it they don't fit right. so I am returning the cheep ones and i have moogs on order they will be in on Monday. So a word from the Not-So-Wise listen to those wiser than you and don't be a cheep skate because you will pay :oops: :bowdown: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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