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Quick, cheap, easy ball joint replacement 83 b-150?
#222510 August 13th 2008 9:47 pm
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Reed Offline OP
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Working on my brother's 83 Dodge shorty van. He needs upper and lower ball joints on both sides. Anybody have any tips or trick to make this less painfull? Do I really have to pull the lower control arm?

Thanks.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: Quick, cheap, easy ball joint replacement 83 b-150?
Reed #222527 August 13th 2008 11:58 pm
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carpal tunnel
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carpal tunnel
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Don't pull your lower control arm too much! They say it'll make ya go blind! rofl

Last edited by CatFish; August 13th 2008 11:58 pm.
Re: Quick, cheap, easy ball joint replacement 83 b-150?
CatFish #222532 August 14th 2008 12:24 am
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pooh-bah
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pooh-bah
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i had upper and lower done on my 86 dodge, plus front end alignment for $500 three years ago. so i understand why you want to do it yourself.

Re: Quick, cheap, easy ball joint replacement 83 b-150?
86ed #222535 August 14th 2008 12:42 am
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Nice one catfish.... "It's like a baby's arm holding an apple!" ;)

I think i am just going to have a shop do the uppers tomorrow and call it good. I am in the middle of yet another free major tune-up for my brother and I need to be working on other things. The lowers look okay, but the uppers are definitely gone.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: Quick, cheap, easy ball joint replacement 83 b-150?
Reed #222562 August 14th 2008 6:56 am
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N
Supreme Master
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The uppers are threaded and can be a real pain in the arse. That's why I don't do balljoint work...I let someone else feel the pain.


Nate Breece
Re: Quick, cheap, easy ball joint replacement 83 b-150?
NateB #222569 August 14th 2008 7:31 am
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Madman!
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They are a pain to get out. There is a special soket that is really hard to find and is very expensive if you can find it. When I changed them in Lions den, I had to heat the control arm with a torch also, even with the socket. It is nearly impossible to get anything else on the ball joint to get them out.


Ken Schwarz
Tricky Truckers, N.J.
Van Clan Plus One, Canada
Manse Vans, Finland
Rebel Vanners, N.J. "USA"
Toopa Sinner Tribe, N.C.

www.showvans.com

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Re: Quick, cheap, easy ball joint replacement 83 b-150?
Superbeast #222631 August 14th 2008 12:01 pm
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I think I actually have the special socket buried somewhere in my garage, but I am loaning my air compressor out to my great uncle so he can do some roof work. No air hammer for me. If the local Napa has the upper joints in stock then I might just do it myself. I will just dig out my four foot cheater bar!


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: Quick, cheap, easy ball joint replacement 83 b-150?
Reed #222638 August 14th 2008 12:36 pm
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Four foot cheater bar + Hulk Hogan. smile


Nate Breece
Re: Quick, cheap, easy ball joint replacement 83 b-150?
NateB #222647 August 14th 2008 1:11 pm
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Madman!
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If you leave the arm on the van and use a 4' cheater bar it may come out. The last time I did a set I made the mistake of removing the arm from the van first. I was changing the bushings too. I almost ripped my workbench off the wall.


Ken Schwarz
Tricky Truckers, N.J.
Van Clan Plus One, Canada
Manse Vans, Finland
Rebel Vanners, N.J. "USA"
Toopa Sinner Tribe, N.C.

www.showvans.com

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/360991

[Linked Image]

"Coolness ALWAYS trumps comfort"
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