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yernkie
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2003
13:17:14
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 Subject: Anyone replaced ball joints themselves?
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I have a 97 4x4 Dakota and the ball joints (upper and lower) are trashed. Has anyone replaced them themselves? If you have, do you have directions? Is it too hard for a shade-tree mechanic? Any suggestions? Just got a $750 quote from Meineki (I forget how to spell it) for parts, labor, and alignment.
John
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misato
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2003
15:31:48
| RE: Anyone replaced ball joints themselves?
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http://www.magnumdakota.com/balljoints/balljoints.html
and
http://www.magnumdakota.com/upper/upper.htm
I just have pics I took while doing it. Its not bad at all. the uppers you have to grind off the rivets..
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yernkie
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/13/2003
16:29:52
| RE: Anyone replaced ball joints themselves?
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Thanks Misato...the pics are great. I have few more questions. How long did it take? What special tools are needed (besides ball joint press)? Do you need any other parts besides the ball joints? Was the alignment bad afterwards (the reason I ask is because even through I will get it aligned after, the shop that will be doing it is about 35 miles away and I do not want to ruin my tires anymore than I already have)? I keep hearing that you have to pull the swaybar, axleshafts, torsion bars, etc. You did not do this. How did you get around this? Sorry for rambling, but I want to do this right.
John
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misato
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2003
16:44:24
|  RE: Anyone replaced ball joints themselves?
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each took a half a day, but I didn't do them at the same time, plus I was doing other stuff to it(brakes/shocks). I got it aligned a few weeks after, normal tire wear. Not sure about taking all that other stuff off, it just went on fine without doing any of that. I thought I would have to take the axle shafts out, but I didn't need to. It did take 2 people to get the thing connected back on the ball joint, I think i stood on the a-arm while someone put the nut on it...
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yernkie
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/13/2003
17:04:00
| RE: Anyone replaced ball joints themselves?
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Thanks for the info. Now that my confidence is built up, I will get the parts and get my hands dirty.
Thanks again.
John
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misato
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2003
18:16:43
| RE: Anyone replaced ball joints themselves?
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I did use a pickle fork thing, like for getting tie rod ends off...
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MechanicMike
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2003
19:27:22
| RE: Anyone replaced ball joints themselves?
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Misato. Nice lookin truck. What size tires you runnin? I like the look with stock wheels. Are you runnin a lift? Any rubbing issues or items you had to trim? Sorry for all the questions but I'm looking around to see what the biggest tire I can mount on my stock rims.Sorry to intrude on your post yernkie.
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kevster
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2003
21:30:33
| RE: Anyone replaced ball joints themselves?
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You will need Cobalt drills for drilling out rivets, 3/8" are the size of the rivets, I went through 4 drills I did all 4 ball joints, and took me a few hours along with the use of a air impact gun or rivet gun, with punch die. Air drill motor and compressor also was used, I had the 4x2 Dak. I hear that some places you can rent the lwr ball joint remover for the 4x4 lwrs.And you dont need to remove sway bars, etc..
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misato
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/13/2003
23:00:37
| RE: Anyone replaced ball joints themselves?
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just a 3in body lift and the torsions cranked up about 1". I just got my 3" rancho and I'm putting it in this weekend. 33x12.50's on the stock 15x8's rub the frame and the back of the fenders, made it difficult to parallel park. I just put 15x10's on, definately need more lift now..
I used a angle grider on the top rivets.
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Timberwolf
GenIII
2/14/2003
22:45:30
| RE: Anyone replaced ball joints themselves?
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Yernkie. I have pics and detailed instructions I can email you. Send me an email if you want them. Autozone will let you use a press for free. You just have to leave $100 until you bring it back. Kevster - Did you say you went through 4 drill bits? I just used one (Regualr Craftsman) and it hardly looked worn when I was done. Were your rivets really hard. Mine seemed kind of soft. Also,I made sure I kept it oiled well while drilling.
"I'd rather be fishing"
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yernkie
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/15/2003
01:13:32
| RE: Anyone replaced ball joints themselves?
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Timberwolf -
I just sent an e-mail to you. Thanks for all the info.
Everyone -
Keep up the posts and keep making this site the most informative Dakota site anywhere!
Yernkie
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jwray
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/12/2004
10:24:23
| RE: Anyone replaced ball joints themselves?
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Just replaced mine yesterday. The old lower ball joints are flared at the top. I grinded the flared part off, which made it easier to press them out. Rented the press from autozone which costs nothing, just leave a $103.00 deposit. The replacement ball joints have a keeper ring to hold them in place. Press old ones down and out. Had to Remove brake caliper, rotor, axle, and seperated upper ball joint. Please email me with any questions.
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