Man, what a PITA to do that job.

I must say that having the proper tool for the pressing would have made the job easier. I did not have the proper press tool. I did rent the Auto Zoo tool though.

The disassembly was the easiest part. The hammer trick of hitting the sides only worked on ONE of the uppers. The UCA's were replaced last year. The Auto Zoo tie rod separator worked on the other. I did not have to use the pickle forks.

I used a combo of Auto Zoo press and driving to work to use the arbor press there. The auto zoo press like d to make the ball joint go in crooked. So did the hydraulic press, but crooked opposite to the Auto Zoo one. So it was an alternating assignment.

I used a piece of 2" x 1/4" angle iron on the hydaulic press. The angle iron gave 3 points of contact.

I used Meyle ball joints.

No pics this time.

If I have to do this again, I will be buying the proper tool.

Let this be a lesson, not learned the hardway like I did.

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

99 W210 E300 Turbo Diesel, chipped, DPF/Converter Delete. Still needs EGR Delete, 232K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Gone and still missed...1982 w123 300D, 1991 w124 300D