Lower ball joint cheat 94 SR?

94monster

Observer
Looks like I have to replace the driver's side lower ball joint (makes horrible noise while turning). Anyone know a good way to cheat or do i have to pull the axle to get it done? Thanks
 

Justice R

Adventurer
Be sure you grease your steering stops to before you pull the LBJ. New from the factory they have a rubbery plasic covering which wears off. When you compress the suspension at full lock you get a "horrible noise" from metal on metal contact. Grease remedies this.

If you you still need to replace you should be able to pull it by disconnecting the LBJ from the knuckle first then unbolting it from the lower A-arm. Beware the lower a arm is under spring pressure from the torsion bar. You might want to unwind them. I've done it without unwinding, but you need to be aware.
 

94monster

Observer
Thanks, I have to replace my t-bar bolts anyway so i'll undo those for sure. My lbj doesn't have a grease fitting but I injected grease into the boot with a syringe and the horrible noise lessened
 

94monster

Observer
It wasn't an OEM ball joint so no grease fitting. The new one has a fitting installed. I do have the manual, was just hoping some had a been there done that with some tips/tricks
 

ca18_sean

Adventurer
Subscribed, I just bought all 4 ball joints from Moog and would like to see if anyone has any installation tips as well. Are there any write ups on ball joint replacement? Either on here or on the 4x4wire site...

I found this write up (actually done by the previous owner of my truck) on replacing an inner CV boot.

http://www.4x4wire.com/mitsubishi/tech/inner_cv/

It covers ball joint removal, but he was pulling the axle to R&R it, so I'm not sure if that was a requirement, or just something he was already doing.
 

off-roader

Expedition Leader
Didn't realize you bought Alex' Montero.

I'm pretty confident the FSM would also have a how to on removing the lower ball joint. Have you guys checked for it?
 

ca18_sean

Adventurer
Yep, had it shipped to Florida! I love it so far!

And I already read the FSM. It says to pull the axle and basically follow Alex's write up. Just wondering if there were any tricks that someone found out to make it easier. Doesn't look overly complicated, but any little trick helps :)
 

94monster

Observer
I did the lower without pulling the hub and spindle. In hind sight it probably would have been easier to do that than what i did.
 

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