Ball joints

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

Its time to do ball joints on my non disco Dana 30

I am going to do them at a family shop so i will be using a lift.

I ordered 2 sets of Spicer joints from Sixstates distributing. but the guy seemed unsure on part numbers and if these were the correct ones, is spicer the right brand? any bad reviews? I know "Moog" is a good brand. but i wanted to go as OEM as possible..

do i have to pull the axle shafts? if so then this would be the ideal time to do my axle tube seals (leaking) and a diff service all at one time?

 

[RadioShackSpecial]

Yes, yes and yes. Spicer is perfect. You do not have to pull the shafts but it may be easier with them out. And of course I would replace the seals if they are leaking.

 

[Skreed]

I don't see how you could do ball joints with the shafts in? But anyway get yourself a good press it make make the job a breeze, with a bad one it will become a nightmare.

 

[ChiXJeff]

It's going to be a little difficult to get the knuckles off with the axle in place. You don't have to take that 36mm nut off the axle, though, just pull those 3 12pt/13mm bolts from the back of the hub to remove the hub & axle as a complete assembly.

 

[xjtrailrider]

I don't see how you could do ball joints with the shafts in? But anyway get yourself a good press it make make the job a breeze, with a bad one it will become a nightmare.

X2, yes the shafts need to come out, there is no way to get the press in for the bottom ball joints with the shafts in the way. Take the top joint out first then the bottom, re-install in the reverse order. You may loose some gear lube out of the axle tubes once the shafts are pulled. Thats ok as it will stop after you put the shafts back in and drive it a while, or....you could use this as an opportunity to change your gear lube in the front. I prefer Lucas 80-90.

Use a garden hose and clean out the tubes really well a couple of days before pulling the shafts, that way when you re-install the shafts you do not drag a bunch of crud into the diff/seals. Install the shafts slowly and with a slight twisting motion as they go through the seals to prevent damage to the seals.

I use the Spicer ball joints in all of my XJ's and they are the best in my opinion. They even do very good in the trail rig on 35's.

 

[RadioShackSpecial]

I was talking about the U-joints. My bad.

 

[RCP Phx]

I was talking about the U-joints. My bad.

You still have to pull the shafts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[joe_peters]

You should rig up a "bore brush" type pull through and clean the tubes pulling the crud to the outside.

Make yourself an all-thread and fender washer seal installer, makes the job go easier.

 

[RadioShackSpecial]

You still have to pull the shafts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you. I will take this time to STFU. :doh:

 

[joe_peters]

Thank you. I will take this time to STFU. :doh:

I'm feeling old, I had to Google what that meant! LMAO! :dunce:

 

[xjtrailrider]

A trick I use to clean the axle tubes is a dryer lint brush and piece of 1-1/4 PVC pipe from Lowe's. Put the brush into the pipe, slide the pipe into the axle tube, pull the pipe out leaving the brush in the tube then pull the brush out. This will pull crud out of the axle tube without pushing any into the diff.