lower ball joint on a 4x4...welded in?

[faze]

I'm getting ready to rebuild the front end and keep running into a reference that the lower balljoint may be welded in place. I have the stamped lower control arms...anyone had experience with this?

cheers

 

[nikel]

I have a 98 and replaced upper and lower ball joints. No welds. The lowers can be pressed out with a screw type joint press. The only way I could get them back in was to cut a metal pipe that rested on the outside of the joint lip and pound them in with a 4lb sledge. I did not remove the lower arms so I did not have much swing room. The lower arm will also lift every time you whack.

They will eventually go in.. but you will think your arms are going to fall out of their sockets.

 

[faze]

Good times...I bought a ball joint press and have a small collection of BFH's. thanks.