When you remove the upper control arm, it will allow you to work on the ball joint in a much easier fashion, like on a work bench versus on the vehicle.
__________________ Chris MODerator
99 Dodge Dakota, 56 Ford F100, 06 Honda RC51
uhm what rivets, and no you don't replace the whole arm...
__________________
---Travis---
2002 Chevy Trailblazer LT 4.2
1996 Subaru SVX LSi AWD 3.3 L Flat 6 (Highway car)
1987 Grand Am 2.5 L Inline(Just keeps going and going...)
Can't forget the work van 04 3500 EXPRESS lol
the stock BJ's are held on with rivets, you just need to grind them off. and you'll need a BJ socket too. and they just turn out. I didmine with them still on the truck. just watch out that it doesnt fall off the jackstands when your prying on he BJ's to get them out mine came close.
I would still suggest removing the upper control arms. It takes an additional 3 minutes and is well worth it to ensure an easy swap. However, you will need to get an alignment if you do not properly mark their original position before taking them off. As Jonny said, you will need to grind down the rivets and get a ball joint socket to remove them. Be very careful while removing tension from the spring. The slower the better.
__________________ Chris MODerator
99 Dodge Dakota, 56 Ford F100, 06 Honda RC51
the stock BJ's are held on with rivets, you just need to grind them off. and you'll need a BJ socket too. and they just turn out. I didmine with them still on the truck.Â* just watch out that it doesnt fall off the jackstands when your prying on he BJ's to get them outÂ*Â* mine came close.
does this apply to the 1997 upper arms too? Also what size socket should I get? Recently my right upper balljoint gave out on me.
you have to buy a socket specifically for BJ's. and since it's a specialty tool, it's expensive. I think I got mine for like $50. but you can go to autozone and probly just rent a tool if your only gonna use it once. I've used mine more than enough time to pay for its self. and only the stock BJ's are riveted in, and if they are the stock ones. just grind the rivets off and clean all around the top of it off. then spray it with ALOT of release all or what ever you like to use. then hammer the socket on to the BJ and get a johnson bar and put a pipe on top of that. I used a 3' piece of exhaust pipe. and brake them loose. there on there tight so dont be afraid of a lil brute force.
you have to buy a socket specifically for BJ's.Â* and since it's a specialty tool, it's expensive. I think I got mine for like $50. but you can go to autozone and probly just rent a tool if your only gonna use it once. I've used mine more than enough time to pay for its self.Â* and only the stock BJ's are riveted in, and if they are the stock ones. just grind the rivets off and clean all around theÂ* top of it off. then spray it with ALOT of release all or what ever you like to use.Â* then hammer the socket on to the BJ and get a johnson bar and put a pipe on top of that. I used a 3' piece of exhaust pipe. and brake them loose.Â* there on there tight so dont be afraid of a lil brute force.
damn sounds teadious. what's "release" and where can I get it?
1999 Dakota Upper Ball Joint Removal HELP!
mine came close.
