Jeep Ball Joint Replacement

[@ansicin6883]

I know this video is 6 years old, but I wanted to leave a comment to say that this has been extremely thorough and helpful. Thank you for making this.

[@richstacey2485]

great video! no language, clean place, clear viewing

[@neilwheeler8533]

Owning a 20 year old TJ means you better learn how fix things yourself or you are going to be wasting a lot of money. This is by far the best Jeep repair video I have watched. Just did the upper and lower ball joints on the driver side yesterday. I had this video on the tv in the garage and just followed right along. I was dealing with a bit more rust but I got the job done. Successfully completing this project motivated me to do some other much needed maintenance items. Going to do the passenger side today and will try leaving the axle nut on this time. Thanks for putting this together. It seriously saved me a ton of money and it was fun too!

[@josephnickerson6000]

I really love the fact that you put on the screen what size sockets and wrenches to use even after you say it, that goes a long way for a lot of people! And I love the fact that you outline or mark the parts with the white lines and include the names, very helpful and informative! Great work!

[@aaronbrown2286]

one of the best jeep how-to videos i've watched.

[@wilderstefan3360]

i know Im randomly asking but does any of you know a way to log back into an instagram account..? I was dumb forgot my account password. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer me

[@moisesreid283]

@Wilder Stefan instablaster :)

[@JP-wb1oo]

Very informative, thank you. This really helped me get the job done on my '03 TJ. However, for those of you, like myself, who are changing ball joints to get rid of 'death wobble', should do yourself a favor and check your front hubs (bearings) before you take the tires off. Once the vehicle is lifted, hold the tire at 12 and 6 and see if there's any vertical play and dull metal tapping sound while jiggling it. This was the culprit on my driver's side vibrations and I only discovered it AFTER complete reassembly, so I had to take it back off all the way to the axle. Still, it was worth it, I'm riding as smooth as a Wrangler can, which is not smooth at all but with no wobble.

[@nicklw2424]

Definitely a great video for step by step purposes! In reality, there is a lot more rust and this job is a pain in the ass!!!

[@Itsjusttim365]

I’m installing a lift and replacing a bunch of front end parts. I have resorted to this video multiple times. I can’t thank you enough for making it.

[@FreedivejeepHD]

Awesome! Glad it was useful and thanks for watching!

[@jhedrich]

Best instructional video I've ever watched. Perfect clarity, beautifully edited and spot on commentary. Thanks!

[@rodlawyer3508]

One of the best informative videos I've seen yet; fantastic job: clear, concise and to the point. Nice touch having all the necessary socket sizes and torques included in the video. Much appreciated.......

[@ronj4994]

best video I have ever seen. Step by step. I followed your video and with another and was able to replace my sway bars and ends front and back track bar front and back, upper lower ball joints all wheels, breaks, tie bar ends, dampener and upper tie rod saved a ton of money and learned everthing I needed about suspensions THANKS!

[@robnichols1726]

Best videos I've seen on TJ's. Nice job!! Thank you.

[@FreedivejeepHD]

Glad to be of service!

[@Ryp1116]

If you're just replacing ball joints you can leave the axle nut on and pull the hub assembly and shaft as one piece. Saves the hassle of removing then re-torquing the nut.

[@enragedgrandpa2889]

That's how I do it in the shop. If eveything goes smoothly, it can save you almost an hour in flatrate.

[@michaelme8829]

One of the best vids I've watched. Great audio, camera work. Nice speed for covering the work being done. My first time watching you and it made me a subscriber!

[@christianballester428]

This is absolutely the best how-to video I've ever seen on You Tube!! Thanks so much!

[@FreedivejeepHD]

Thanks Christian; glad to be of service!

[@svendholme3627]

Excellent! The best video I have seen on how to replace ball joints on a Jeep. You even included torque settings fantastic.

[@briandady9030]

Great video, concise, not too dry and very informative.

[@adamhmitchell2010]

This is how you make a HOWTO video. Great technical detail, lighting, editing, text/graphic overlays. Harry Connick Jr. can play piano and replace ball joints, too! 👍

[@henrypeterson1981]

01 XJ Owner. Excellent Video!

[@BenjiWYHS]

Super helpful video just knocked out ball joints on my 01 thank you sir!

[@reptiliangold15]

2:20 oh those bolt pops though, so satisfying

[@BrianGarcia87]

Great Video, helped a lot when replacing my TJ ball joints. Gave me the confidence I needed to complete the job vs paying someone $$$$ in labor for no reason. I replaced the wheel bearing & Bolts, and spline u joint while i had everything off so i don't have to worry about it later though. With all of that plus the ball joint press and Mopar adapter (Definatly need, find on Amazon) i am still way ahead of what a shop wanted to charge!

[@FreedivejeepHD]

Great job!!! Plus, it's nice to know it was done right...

[@johnnyg961]

Great camera work. Great instructional video.

[@1Gwfn]

that's the best ball joint video I have watched yet. I'm a idiot when it comes to that kind of thing and you made it crystal clear. Thank you very much I had your video playing the whole time I did mine and it went perfectly smooth

[@frankdelpozo7494]

Great instructional video! I see the value of separating the axle from the hub as it makes it lighter and easier to manage. He took great care to not contaminate the axle splines which would be more difficult to align without scraping the inside of the axle housing. Someone with bigger stronger Popeye forearms and wrists could do it, but not me. Great job! Hope to see more videos?

[@herbertcarrillo7722]

Awesome video used to today to change mine. I would have been lost with out it. Thanks

[@Bo12346hhgfgdg]

something very simple guys- don't use a differential as a lifting point. Differentials are not designed to be lifted from and yes they do crack. Use the FRAME to lift the vehicle every time, no exception.

[@spencerkaufmann5449]

Cherokees don't have a frame, they're unibody

[@mikehartmann5187]

Really good step-by-step video of the ball joint replacement - nice job. As others have noted, many of us own crusty Jeeps where these components are heavily rusted. For those doing this for the first time with rusty parts: If you can't get the old ball joints to move using the press, you will need to heat up the 'C' metal the ball joints are being held by using a torch (a hand torch with a MAP gas bottle will work). First take a wire wheel and remove surface rust as must as you can, then apply penetrating oil like PB Blaster and let it soak in awhile. Next, use the torch, avoid applying direct heat to the ball joint itself as much as possible. You shouldn't need to get the metal 'cherry red' with the torch, but you will need to get the metal fairly hot, and the ball joints should break loose. Note - do NOT apply heat with the ball joint press mounted. Heat the metal first, then assemble the press over the ball joints and push them out. Use gloves to avoid getting burned (and safety glass too). My old very crusty ball joints would not budge without heat. For installation, use caution with heat when installing new ball joints, as the heat could damage the ball joint. You shouldn't need heat to re-install, though it may make it easier to press in. Some ball joints have an internal plastic component that will melt at high enough temps - with removal, this doesn't matter, but installation, you don't want to ruin a new ball joint using too much heat. Some have recommended the combination of freezing the ball joint, and heating the 'C' metal to ease installation - it will work, but if you use the heat to excess, then you run the risk of ruining the new ball joint. Good luck

[@tobydunbar1153]

EXCELLENT INSTRUCTION!!! THANK YOU!!!

[@zacharymoore8110]

salt belt = 3X harder job lol. wish they looked like that here...

[@brandonbrown2743]

This dude is a wiz at this!

[@msach4277]

Absoltuely great video, has helped me so much... but also I did not unbolt the hub from the axle, as recommended by another commentor. You made my job so much easier! Nice professionalism, great directions, great filming, no profanity like others who feel need to be more of a man I guess, so no worries about my kids being around. Well done.

[@brentroth6235]

Time To Stop The "Death Wobble". Thanks For The Video

[@7940home]

Don’t stop making Jeep repair videos. 👍🏻

[@kyleh.1952]

Are we an engineer? lol. Fantastic job, sir, very thorough and succinct.

[@FreedivejeepHD]

Haha; nope :) I'm a car salesman and a photographer. Thanks for watching, and I hope it made your life a little easier!

[@theophaniawahnon9449]

So impressive, I now realize that this job is going to be done by someone other than myself😮😃

[@michaelplaziak3828]

Very clear and well done video!

[@BillraeZzz]

Thanks for the vid. Got bored during Pandemic Lockdown and I pulled my 99 TJ out of the garage after not driving it in 3-4 years because I didn't feel like replacing the cracked exhaust manifold. So I did that without issue one weekend. Next weekend did a roadside repair of a faulty CPS, and noticed my right front brake was squeaking/dragging. So here I am in week 3 doing brakes and find my steering knuckle has the dreaded pad indents/grooves on the slide causing the pads to hang. So ordering steering knuckle replacements, wheel hub assembly, rotors and pads and ball joints since i have it all apart, i might as well knock it all out. Thanks for the clear vid, just what the Doctor ordered for everything i have to do.

[@FreedivejeepHD]

Wow! You've got a happy Jeep there now! Nice work my friend.

[@TheDucttape4all]

There is no reason to remove the axle nut or tie rod to do ball joints it is a waste of time. Other than that good video.

[@EKAutoTech]

Don't you have to remove the hub and axle shaft to get your tool in there to remove the ball joints?

[@vladbpootin3122]

@@EKAutoTech Yes, but the axle shaft will come out with the hub if you leave the nut on, just remove the hub bolts on the knuckle

[@EKAutoTech]

@@vladbpootin3122 ahh good point. Thanks!

[@4speed3pedals]

A solid hit with a good hammer (no claw or small ball peen) directly on the steering knuclke where the stud goes through will also pop the tie rod out of the knuckle. Usually just a couple good hits does it. I have never had it fail unless my swing missed. The shock breaks the taper free and you don't really do any damage to the knuckle, nothing gets deformed. The knuckle is cast steel.

[@jeffreyjones3367]

Hands down the best instructional video I have seen. The printed tech data was an awesome bonus. Please do more as I have an 05 LJ Rubicon I will follow your lead on my vehicle

[@TyGuyPS5]

I dont even need to replace my joints. But I watched the whole thing cause I knew it would be a good video once I saw him work on it with a rolex lol

[@LaNiceguy]

NICE JOB! Very professional video and thorough. Thanks

[@jeremiahhebner8593]

Thanks for the step by step

[@leftystrat62]

Awesome Jeep. My dream Jeep

[@simpleman2980]

Awesome video man. Thanks for posting for everyone's reference; this has got to be one of, if not the best, online. I do have one question though. Where did you find the 125 ft lb torque specs for the Dana 44 unit bearing vs the 75 ft lb for the Dana 30? All of my manuals show this torque spec. to be 75 ft lbs. irregardless of the differential. I just want to make sure I torque my Rubicon unit bearings to the correct spec. Thanks again for the great videos on your channel.

[@FreedivejeepHD]

Great catch, I usually cross reference all my torque specs and I didn't double check that one. 75 ft-lbs is correct for both D30 and D44's. Thanks for watching!

[@sarabrown7689]

Do you want to replace mine for me? Then you can make a video showing what this job is like on a 23 year old, 275,000 mile rusted to hell XJ. :)

[@musashiblade8665]

If I lived close by, I would do it for you Sara. ;)

[@seese34]

Great video! Probably the most informative and well shot one I've seen lately. Love that this was done on an LJ! As an LJ owner myself, it's hard not to love this video.

[@bL33ds]

I don’t even need to replace ball joints. This is just entertaining.

[@michaelshoup2703]

You should WARN users about the knurled & non-knurled ball joint issues! No one mentioned that to me, nor was it listed in the product specs on the 4 Wheel Parts websight, from which I purchased the ball joints.. Knurled are for worn knuckles.. Non-knurled are for installation on 1st or 2nd time replacements, where the knuckles ball joint seat has not worn, as in a loose fitting.. Using knurled ball joints when not needed, creates a compressed ball joint! Now my steering is so tight, I can NOT safely drive the vehicle at highway speeds!! And, I'm told by Synergy, that I will need to put somewhere in the neighborhood of 1000 miles on my ZJ to break the ball joints in!?! Or, I can remove and reinstall the ball joints 'multiple times', to resize the fitting!! This 'should' relieve some of the compression... Needless to say, I'm not a very happy camper... )-:

[@joshuabrown68]

Tip your editor! Great work!

[@Alpha_Mind]

What a great video!! Straight to the point, no joking around. Very clear, very steady. Thank you!!

[@bombdiggitydave3881]

Just subscribed after watching and taking notes. Congratulations, on taking the time and patience to add all the details, i.e. bolt and nuts tool sizing, a helpful addition, that some others miss which, all told, makes your video on ball joints informative and useful. Add to that, you also include tips for the other required, R&R ancillaries, culminating in a well made tutorial for the diy at home Jeep enthusiast. Thank you!

[@fridder.]

great video, thank you. are there any reasons to not paint the steering knuckle? i bought a new pair and they have already started rusting.

[@ferrettini]

Gran trabajo y mejor esplicacion. Gracias.

[@RJIGGLES]

Dude your a Jeep Professor with this well explained video. Thank you for your time and help.

[@craigcardelucci3228]

Did you find the instruction manual that came with the Snap-On press didn't refer to use the angled adapter, i.e. BJP-9A?

[@businessraptor134]

Pro tip. Put your ball joints and u joints in the freezer the night before and they will almost fall into place because they shrink. It makes this process MUCH easier.

[@billbertrand7751]

TY VERY GOOD VIDEO

[@drennensettlemyre1]

This was an awesome how to thanks you for taking the time to make a video of this quality for wanna be mechanics like me hahah

[@xC4N4D14NB4C0Nx]

Awesome video but gaddamn you make this look way easier than it is lol, I started are 10:30 this morning and I'm still at it 4 hours later fuck me now I know why I didn't become a mechanic...

[@mchiccarello]

Good stuff 👍🏻

[@crazy8sdrums]

Great video! Thank you!

[@shanemalone1041]

A very good video expertly done without the need for profanities.

[@jcwolinsky]

Anyone have a link / know where to find that tapered cup he uses at 12:20 to get the ball joint to slide in straight?

[@tarzan30809]

Thank you for this video. Are those tapered receivers part of the kit? Liked & Subscribed!

[@carolinarelichunter3273]

Why did you need to take off the hub , wouldn’t axle just slide out as one piece , seems like a unnecessary step .

[@jimgarner8477]

ROLEX SUBMARINER, GOD I HOPE AND ASSUME IT'S FAKE LOL. KILLER VIDEO. THANKS.

[@clivehedrick2763]

Curious. Couldn't you leave the axle attached to hub and just pull them out together?

[@chriss.6715]

that was the most efficiently detailed auto maintenance video EVER! Thank you.

[@chevelle502]

Awesome vid! i will be watching this in the garage as i do the front of my 96 XJ, Thanks!!!

[@wbmoffitt7985]

Do you have a video on your suspension setup?

[@piotrpara7260]

Mistrzostwo Świata - fachowo ,czysto, precyzyjnie !!!!!

[@michaelprodan4354]

Bro your video was incredibly helpful. Thank you

[@YouTubeUserToo]

why are you wearing your Rolex while you're working on your Jeep. Yikes

[@pujo28]

Would I be better to break axle but free b4 loosening hub bearing bolts?

[@cptgscott]

I rented what looked like a nice ball joint press kit from the local auto parts store but it doesn't have any tapered receiving cups like the kit you have. I've looked around and it doesn't seem most kits have tapered cups so I'm assuming most people work around it somehow. I was thinking of shimming one side of a regular receiver cup to help press the bottom ball joint in straight but would appreciate your input/advice. (Excellent video by the way!)

[@gpjones84]

I'm having the same issue. Tried using a shim but still can't get BJ to go in straight. Only tapered adapter I found is way too expensive. Need another option.

[@cptgscott]

I thought about using some washers or other thin metal material to shim one side of the cup. I have watched some other videos where the installers used non-tapered cups so apparently it can be done. Here's another good video I found. I liked his "hammer tapping" advice. Seemed to work for him.

[@gpjones84]

That's funny cause I just got done doing that very thing. Took a bfh and gently tapped it in evenly until I could safely press the rest of the way.

[@trident72]

i used the kit they rent at napa which doesn't have a tapered cup(after much stressing and trying to find them i just said F it) I didn't think it was a big deal at all, mine went in straight with ease. just lined everything up careful and it worked fine.

[@pujo28]

FYI. If the old ball joints u remove are smooth on the side you don’t wanna put in the new ones that have knurling on the side. A lot of non spicer ball joints have the knurling. From what I researched the knurling is used to ensure more of a snug fit in the knuckle if aftermarket ball joints were previously put in. Basically aftermarket ones might have stretched the knuckle so to speak. A lot of jeep websites don’t know this when u call them to ask questions. If your old ones r smooth, replace with smooth ones. Buy Spicer ones. Don’t go cheap on things that r very hard to replace such as ball joints, u joints, unit or hub bearings etc… Also, AutoZone has a separate ball joint kit called Master ball joint kit I believe. It has a lotta cups most importantly the offset one like seen in this video. To remove my lower ball joints that were original with 165.000 miles, I needed a 5 foot pipe on a breaker bar for a few quarter turns to get them out I also spent an hr with sandpaper n wire brush cleaning the knuckles when they press in along with where the unit bearing presses in Don’t rush this job. Spread it out over a few days n do it once correctly I hope this helps

[@Soothsayer-rs5nb]

Great TJ video...that cheater bar will really ruin a ratchet.

[@joelp77440]

Tip - if you are doing that, replace the hub assembly if it is old or has 80,000+ miles. It will fail sooner than later. Get something really good if you go off road it have large tires. If it’s your weekend top down cruiser, anything will work.

[@meieradam]

Hoping to save some tools: Cheaters and breaker bars are two very different things. Using a cheater on a ratchet can easily break the teeth. Use an actual breaker bar with a cheater if its needed.

[@Rancherinaz]

Thanks for actually showing the process unlike that dingaling over at Jim’s jeeps that just shows you what it looks like after it’s done . His video is about worthless . 😆😆😆

[@zaccastillo5634]

very good descriptive video. thanks!

[@pmanor1]

The MOST "Complete and Detailed Guide" for this job (that I've found at least) More professional than the actual professional vids. I feel like I should owe you money lol...

[@musashiblade8665]

What to do when it all goes bad: I successfully installed my passenger side upper & Lower joints. But unfortunately on the driver side didn't go so well. I believe my bottom didn't go in straight and caused the knuckle to bind as I went to install it. I got to forceful and stripped the upper joint stud & cant back off the nut. Any advice as now I'm really in a bind. I may have to cut the the upper stud and undo the lower castle nut to get the knuckle off. Once that is done, I'm going to need another set of joints and knuckle. This seems to me as my only choice.

[@williamsantuzzi5808]

just think how much faster you would have done that job if you would have used the air compressor that was against the bench to your left.

[@FreedivejeepHD]

I wanted to show folks how to do this with hand tools...but rest assured, I used air tools on the other side :)

[@queensapphire7717]

Why are you wearing a Rolex while doing this ?

[@lclark3636]

Doe's that see anything like dirt or only a mall crawler....just changed mine it was a nightmare due to my wheeling I do.

[@FreedivejeepHD]

She has seen more dirt in the last 15 years than you can probably imagine. The only difference? I clean her inside and out, underbody and engine compartment as well, every time I take it out. It's a PITA, but pays dividends as she gets older.

[@bgrey55]

Great vid, but did you had to take the hub assembly out.

[@loudog1547]

hate to be the immature one but @ 8:04 it sounds like "something" is going on in the background that you can hear lol. then in the next part of the video he has big sound protection earmuffs on lol. sorry just thought that was funny> BTW great video and very informative and great content and im deff subing to the channel

[@michaelbennett9296]

Tie rod removal tool? A half dozen good taps with a hammer to the knuckle itself (NOT down on the tie rod nut) will make it FALL out.

[@creekerjeeper3879]

Outstanding video. Your explanation of steps was clear. Now I’m ready to do my ball joints. Thank you Creeker Jeeper

[@enragedgrandpa2889]

No need for a tie rod removal tool. Just smack the knuckle a few times with a hammer when the stud for the tie rod goes through and %90 of the time it will just fall right out, it if doesn't, spin the nut down to where its even with the tie rod shank, and tap it a few times.

[@tomh4685]

Why are you doing so much extra work to swap out ball joints? You dont need to take the axle shaft nut off or the tie rod end off.... you just pull out the whole assembly.

[@ikashibimauler]

What size C clamp is that you used on the caliper? I normally use a breaker bar in there but I like your method of compressing the caliper more.

[@royzava9594]

Quite informative and thorough presentation on how to do ball joints. Makes me want to try this on my own. Was initially looking for information on the loose bolt on the axle of the track bar on my 93 Wrangler.

[@terryheadgepath4205]

I like how you weren't using an impact. Most videos on here us one which is not recommended by the tool companies.

[@jccadventures3667]

I about killed myself on the lower one until I got wise and used my impact. Came out in like 3 seconds lol.

[@LibertyOrDeath-ms5rf]

Like a boss. One of the best instructional videos. Was searching for tie rod replacement but ended up watching the whole thing.

[@MrThemBlues]

Wouldn't it make sense to do the axle nut first, before the hub nuts, so you're not putting all that downward pressure only on the splines?