Ball joints (and arms) -- OEM or other

[mattbta]

Been fighting steering issues on my stock, not lowered 04 2WD and have taken it to various shops. Finally took it to a frame/alignment specialist and they say I need ball joints and a gear box (I figured that was coming, but besides that, BJ's and hubs -- everything else is new within the last 1.5 years) However, they say they'll only put OEM on as all the others they've tried in the past are too tight and make steering a pain. Claims I'll have to manually turn the wheel back to center.

Any truth to that? I'll either go OEM or get some Moogs. I'm thinking lower ball joints and upper arms -- don't wanna mess with disconnecting torsion bar to put new lower arms and the arms are $$.

Also, do you think this is a job me and my FIL can handle? I don't have a lift or air tools. Looks like I'd need to rent/buy a press tool, but the rest seems straight forward. Obviously an alignment after it's done.

 

[08HoeCD]

Can't go wrong with stock or Moog.
Pretty sure you can do it with hand tools including a breaker bar and a press tool.

 

[Snowbound]

If you have to counter steer after a turn, meaning the steering wheel doesn't want to return to straighten the wheels, you have caster issues. Only issue a ball joint would have to play a roll in that would be a seized joint. You'll be fine with Moog joints.
As far as you handling it without air tools or a lift, that's not for me or pretty much anyone else to say. It's up to you and what your comfortable with. Watch some YouTube videos and make an executive decision. Sometimes them press in joints can be stubborn. Can be done, tighten the press with breaker bar and smack the side of the control arm with a BFH and it will jar it enough to allow you to tighten on press again. It'll come out.
Good luck with whichever direction you chose. And be safe, jack stands, gloves and safety glasses.

 

[mattbta]

Purchased the lower BJs, UCAs and decided to get Timken hubs since I'll be in there. Will report back after the install.

 

[mattbta]

Well, I managed to put in Moog lower ball joints, upper control arms and Timken wheel hubs since I was going to be in there. What a demoralizer. I got everything taken apart Saturday save for separating the steering knuckle/spindle from the lower ball joint. I banged on it with a BFH. Rented a ball joint separator only to find it was too small. Went back and rented a pickle fork and could drive it between the BJ/knuckle and it wouldn't budge. I was in total despair and ******** bricks all night - barely slept. The BJ's were trashed so there was no way I could put it back together as it sat and take it somewhere.

Sunday my father in law came over and we banged around some more. Still not budging. Finally took a six foot long piece of pipe and slipped it over the pickle. We pulled upwards until they broke free! Whew. From that point, it was smooth sailing. The press pulled the lowers in easily. I had one dumb moment though, forgot to put the dust shield on the new wheel hub one side and didn't realize until I already had the calipers tightened down. That was only a 15 minute setback though.

All in all, everything went great except for separating those damned lower BJ's. Truck handles much better. Still have a small issue with steering, but now that everything is new except for the gear box, I'll look into that.