How to replace upper and lower ball joints on a '99 4x4 Durango.

[Mt.Hoodlum]

Originally Posted by mgw

Makes sense. I'm glad I didn't have to figure out that I needed to go to the store once I had my front suspension taken apart...

If you get lower ball joints where you can remove the boot when you press them in it will save you all the hassle of this job.

[hutchies]

If you have an air chisel you can knock those rivets out in a heartbeat.

[scdakota]

doing the upper and lower ball joints on both sides of my dakota i found the easiest way to knock the rivit heads off was to cut a groove in the center then use a air chisel and i just did those today

[hutchies]

I'm just having hell getting the lowers out............Got to the last one and my dadgum balljoint tool broke.............

[hutchies]

Originally Posted by hutchies

I'm just having hell getting the lowers out............Got to the last one and my dadgum balljoint tool broke.............

Sorry I should have clarified getting it out of the spindle the u tool broke.


As for removal of the lowers if you press it and it doesn't move then take a 3 lb sledge and hit the housing it is held in. Mine were so tight I almost broke the damn press.

[BlackGS]

Excellent info in this thread!

Just to add an alternative for the lower ball joints - you can pick up complete lower control arms for around $110-120 per side, which include a new ball joint, and has the advantage of replacing the arm bushings at the same time. Although it is more expensive than just replacing the ball joints, it is a much simpler install, and still a huge savings over having the shop install the ball joints.

[hutchies]

Wow at oreillys they told me they were $250 a piece.

[BlackGS]

Originally Posted by hutchies

Wow at oreillys they told me they were $250 a piece.

I believe that. Some brands are a lot less. Dorman is $120.79 at rockauto, and ebay has them for a little less (especially if you go through bing.com and get the 8% off).

Edit: I noticed you have a 2003, which is $143.79 at rockauto. The 98-99's are cheaper.

[lvin4jc]

That Bing deal is saweet!

Are you guys having problems getting the rivets off? I just used a 4 1/2" angle grinder with a new wheel and I know I didn't spend more than 45 seconds on each rivet head before they just fell out.

P.S. I don't know when I last checked on this thread but just so ya know my super cheapo eBay front end parts are still working flawlessly and i've put 30k miles on in the last year.

[fatboy_d]

Hey fellas! I know this thread is old but I need some help. I have a 99 durango 4x4 and am removing my steering knuckle to replace it. knuckle brake threads striped. For some reason the damn ball joint won't pop out of the lower knuckle hole. Everything is disconected except the lbj. I have tapped with a sledge hoping it would drop out. I have also broke my lbj by prying with a fork separator. How do I remove the knuckle from the lbj? I need good dodge guidance! Sry if this is posted elsewhere. Thanks in advance all help is welcome!

[6115]

Originally Posted by fatboy_d

Hey fellas! I know this thread is old but I need some help. I have a 99 durango 4x4 and am removing my steering knuckle to replace it. knuckle brake threads striped. For some reason the damn ball joint won't pop out of the lower knuckle hole. Everything is disconected except the lbj. I have tapped with a sledge hoping it would drop out. I have also broke my lbj by prying with a fork separator. How do I remove the knuckle from the lbj? I need good dodge guidance! Sry if this is posted elsewhere. Thanks in advance all help is welcome!

keep the nut ontop of the joint so it wont fall completely out when you get it out!
you will ruin your lower balljoint, but get a propane torch and heat the shit out of the balljoint stud and wack the top of the nut with a hammer (or use the fork)
(i also hear locktite has this freeze stuff that works great too)

[fatboy_d]

OMG! I'm an idiot. I think my frustration clouded my thought cause I didn't even think of that. Thanks a bunch. I was stressed thinking of ways to do it. I gotta get a new lbj now lol. I can't wait to get the new knuckle on so I can drive my D again. I'm so low in my LHS.

[fatboy_d]

Holy hell did removing the lbj give me a headache. My newish angle grinder took a poo on me so I finished grinding the lip of the lbj out with my 3" wheel cutter. I broke my hammer but I sure as hell pounded the lbj out first. Having trouble putting the new lbj back in, but tommorrow is a fresh day with another 12 pack lol. Thanks again for having this thread here!

[little devil]

i dont have a press and i cant rent one around me, is it still do able without it?

[razman131]

Originally Posted by little devil

i dont have a press and i cant rent one around me, is it still do able without it?

PITA to remove without one, hammers and sockets/extensions are needed.




install, stick em the freezer for a couple hours, then *quickly* install.


or pull LCA(s) and take to a shop and have them press in/out.