ball joints or tt first?

[patrick112390]

You can return it at any time and get your money back. I charged it on my credit card, they returned every penny. Its worth the "cost" I'm telling you.

haaa well im devising a plan to get everything ripped apart, using the tool, then goin straight to buy the ball joints from advance in my other car :

 

[parad1mg]

check-out rockauto.com for MOOG lower ball joints.. i got mine there cheaper..

 

[parad1mg]

i also rented all the tools (ball joint press & torque wrench) at autozone.. its pretty neat since you get all your money back.. you do need a breaker bar, axle nut socket, helper bar, 2 jacks, jack stands, decent socket set, PB blaster, BFH, mechanics gloves (a must!) and some time researching how-to's in this forum..

MointaineerGreen did a great write-up on the balljoints IMO..

the lower ball joints at rockauto.com are $29.00 each, MOOG Part # K8695T.... 60 bucks for two plus a small fee for shipping.. that beat $51.00 each at advanced auto..

 

[patrick112390]

i also rented all the tools (ball joint press & torque wrench) at autozone.. its pretty neat since you get all your money back.. you do need a breaker bar, axle nut socket, helper bar, 2 jacks, jack stands, decent socket set, PB blaster, BFH, mechanics gloves (a must!) and some time researching how-to's in this forum..

MointaineerGreen did a great write-up on the balljoints IMO..

the lower ball joints at rockauto.com are $29.00 each, MOOG Part # K8695T.... 60 bucks for two plus a small fee for shipping.. that beat $51.00 each at advanced auto..

thanks man! i will take that 40 bucks i saved and get me all the stuff you mentioned.. i just got an impact wrench so it will def be goin down

just last week i bought 2 jackstands 3 ton and a 2 ton hydralic floor jack ... so why are mechanics gloves a must? i dont mind gettin dirty..

 

[patrick112390]

just ordered from rockauto! 59 bucks for 2 amazing and it was so easy since i pay for stuff off ebay with paypal, that they take it too! seamless.

 

[patrick112390]

soory for the continuous posts but when you say axel nut socket... what size? at az they have 29, 30, or 32 mm ... 13 bucks a piece

 

[parad1mg]

i dont mind getting dirty too but those gloves saves your hands from accidental burns (if ever you touch something near the engine's exhaust system..) scrapes, bloody knuckles and it gives you a better grip too.. just get a cheap one at wal-mart or home depot..

i used a 1-1/4 AmPro deep socket for the axle nut.. i got it from Advanced Auto parts.. i was also in a budget back then so i found certain tools that would function the same as the ones that are made for the same purpose..
basically, its cheaper that a regular axle nut socket.. if memory serves right, about $7 each..

wait, do you have camber adjusters installed on your driver side upper control arms? talking about these: http://www.napaonline.com/masterpag...iption=Camber+/+Caster+Kit+-+Front+Suspension

you'll need it when you get an alignment.. NAPA was the only place that had it in stock and with a very reasonable price too.. a complete bolt, washer and nuts for $25.00 ...

 

[patrick112390]

i dont mind getting dirty too but those gloves saves your hands from accidental burns (if ever you touch something near the engine's exhaust system..) scrapes, bloody knuckles and it gives you a better grip too.. just get a cheap one at wal-mart or home depot..

i used a 1-1/4 AmPro deep socket for the axle nut.. i got it from Advanced Auto parts.. i was also in a budget back then so i found certain tools that would function the same as the ones that are made for the same purpose..
basically, its cheaper that a regular axle nut socket.. if memory serves right, about $7 each..

wait, do you have camber adjusters installed on your driver side upper control arms? talking about these: http://www.napaonline.com/masterpag...iption=Camber+/+Caster+Kit+-+Front+Suspension

you'll need it when you get an alignment.. NAPA was the only place that had it in stock and with a very reasonable price too.. a complete bolt, washer and nuts for $25.00 ...

idk why... would my truck not already have them? do i have to have them for the install or something?

 

[Dan Whitaker]

idk why... would my truck not already have them? do i have to have them for the install or something?

Because the factory ones do not allow for enough camber adjustment when you do the TT.

BTW you need a set for each side. That $25 is per side. The left side is a biatch!
The right side is a piece of cake.

 

[parad1mg]

Because the factory ones do not allow for enough caster adjustment when you do the TT.

BTW you need a set for each side. That $25 is per side. The left side is a biatch!
The right side is a piece of cake.

that's true.. driver's side took me about half hour to do 'cause of the damn pressed washer.. i ended up separting the washer from the bolt head so i could slide them in between those hard lines.. i was too afraid to break them since the mounty was my only ride.. the passenger side took me atmost 15 minutes..

 

[patrick112390]

Because the factory ones do not allow for enough camber adjustment when you do the TT.

BTW you need a set for each side. That $25 is per side. The left side is a biatch!
The right side is a piece of cake.

ohhh ok well, what if i just go ahead and do the tt will the alignment shop SAY i have to go buy them?...

 

[Dan Whitaker]

The alignment shop will most likely have them on hand but they will charge you at least double the cost for them plus labor.

 

[parad1mg]

90% chance they'll say yes.. unless you're keeping the stock suspensions settings and not going for or doing TT's, new joints, etc. you wont need those adjustment cams..

 

[patrick112390]

The alignment shop will put them in and charge you at least double the cost plus labor.

damn! well so your positive i will need them? how come after all the reading ive done on how to do a tt ive never seen a comment on that???

 

[parad1mg]

it was mentioned right here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=194453

and here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191451

 

[Dan Whitaker]

damn! well so your positive i will need them? how come after all the reading ive done on how to do a tt ive never seen a comment on that???

That's a good question. I am 100% positive you will need the camber adjusters.

Something else that hasn't been mentioned here is it is a possibility you will need to replace your tie rods as well.

 

[patrick112390]

it was mentioned right here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=194453

and here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191451

yeah! but nowhere does it say i have to get new ones? i will look in the morning but im sure mine has the adjusters..what other would it have?

 

[patrick112390]

That's a good question. I am 100% positive you will need the camber adjusters.

Something else that hasn't been mentioned here is it is a possibility you will need to replace your tie rods as well.

damn! the list is growing lol uhh well if your talking about the tie rod ends, those are the only things under there that are greased and look good...

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Yes you have factory camber adjusters but they only allow for 1 degree of positive or negative IIRC.

After market sets come in a wide range. The set I put in my '97 Mounty allows for 2-1/2 degrees of positive or negative adjustment. The minimal you need is 2 degree.

The tie rods may look good but that does not mean they are.

 

[patrick112390]

Yes you have factory camber adjusters but they only allow for 1 degree of positive or negative IIRC.

After market sets come in a wide range. The set I put in my '97 Mounty allows for 2-1/2 degrees of positive or negative adjustment. The minimal you need is 2 degree.

ohhh gotcha ok well i guess ill b gettnn them too...but that still doesnt really answer, how come nobody has said that on the tt how to....all they say is to get an alignment right after the tt?- correct me if im wrong

and my engine may look good! but god knows what the hells inside it! until something is wrong no need to replace.. lol