4x4 Lower Ball joints

[95_4x4]

Help: 4x4 Lower Ball joints

Hi all,
I'm trying to replace the lower ball joints on my 95 xlt 4x4. I have studied the step by step process on this sight: http://www.haroh.com/explorer/ball_joint.html
but since mine is 4-wheel drive I've run into difficulty since the front hub assembly and drive shaft are right in the way. Now, I've replaced ball joints before and have all the tools, but never on a 4 wheel drive vehicle. The hub doesn't let the wheel assembly drop down far enough to free the shaft of the ball joint. Has anyone else with a 4x4 replaced theirs? and how did you get around this problem?
Thanks

 

[95_4x4]

Also I checked out the Chilton manual, and it said that the ball joints are a solid part of the lower control arm which I know is total BS. And I thought Chilton was a good reference manual...

 

[Xzibit A]

its easy your just take the big nut off the drive shaft and using a plastic or rubber hammper gently tap the axle through the splines as you pull the knuckel outand down then sjust slide it down the ball joint, and use a bungee strap to strap the axle up over the sway bar so you can hit the ball joint out with a hammer.

 

[DrkPony]

!

 

[KPT]

First off that is a half shaft, not a driveshaft.

Put a jack under the lower control arm and jack it up as high as you can. the knuckle will slide off the balljoint as you are pushing down on the knuckle. Pull the halfshaft out of the diff. I was able to get my old balljoint out but could not get the new one in with the halfshaft in place.

 

[gijoecam]

Rather than fight it, just pull the halfshaft. It's only one nut (although it'll be VERY tight after 11 years) and the spline may be corroded to the hub, but a few whacks with a dead-blow should solve that problem.

Another option would be to break the upper loose and rotate the entire spindle/knickle assembly to gain clearance. I did my uppers at the same time, so I just went ahead and removed the whole shebang.

-Joe