Doing ball joints/tie rods/struts, any advice?

Goldmember · Mar 16, 2008

As far as I can see it looks to be a straightforward job. I'm going to rent a ball joint puller for sure. I know I'm going to need an alignment once it's done (outer tie rods getting replaced)

Any tips/suggestions/advice? This is my first time doing it.

Red96GT · Mar 16, 2008

Soak all the bolts in PB blaster before going at them. Breaking one off is the worst feeling in the world as there is usually no easy way to get it out, especially if you don't have a torch or there is no part of the bolt to grab on to. You're probably going to disconnect the caliper or at least bungee cord it to the frame...I'd recommend removing the caliper by the floating bolts (caliper bracket still attached to the spindle) instead of taking the bracket off with the caliper on it as the floating bolts are less likely to break.

Good luck.

Goldmember · Mar 16, 2008

Had the brakes all apart just after I got it, those bolts *should* come out without a problem. Will pick up some PB and blast away, I love the stuff but I need another can.

Thanks for the tips- I'm somewhat mechanically inclined and hoping I'm not biting off more than I can chew. Good thing I'm off work if things go really horribly wrong!

1FastGT · Mar 17, 2008

when you take your tie rods off remember how many threads each side goes on like mark it with a piece of tire chalk or a permanant marker or something get it as close as possible. and the ball joints once you get the hub and shit off the balljoint just start hammering the old one out. and use the tool to install the new one. its very simple and very straight foward it took me like an hour to do both of mine.

Goldmember · Mar 18, 2008

Cool, I hadn't thought of the permanent marker idea but I like that a lot- will use it. I expect to have to get it re-aligned but I need to be able to drive it to the shop LOL

I'm not what you'd call an "experienced wrench" but I have enough faith in my ability to try this out. Set aside 2 days for it, can't predict anything on an old Ford haha