Discovery 2 ball joint removal with a Harbor Freight ball joint press??

[AzRover]

Has anyone managed to replace a Discovery steering knuckle ball joint using a Harbor Freight Ball joint press?

 

[Token]

Not sure about the Disco in particular, but make sure you get the 4x4 kit.. The smaller of the two kits they offer won't even work with a Jeep.. Not saying a Disco's Joints are larger or smaller or anything.. Just go with the 4x4 kit..

Oh.. Wait.. STEERING KNUCKLE BALL JOINT... Not a clue..

 

[AzRover]

I bought the 4x4 kit. After looking at the Land Rover tool, and it's huge price tag, I question the strength of the Harbor freight tool. I read on another site that it took over 40 tons of force remove the joint.

I still have some time before I need to change the joint, no play yet, but the boot is damaged. I'm tempted to just try and put a new boot on the joint.
I don't like the way the joint is pressed in to the axel housing, and it can only be changed 3 times.

Any advice from someone who has changed these would be helpful.
Thanks

 

[DividingCreek]

never had to use the tool. just a love tap or two with a 3lb hammer on the cast iron and the tie rod/ball joint end which is a tapered fit will pop right out.

 

[Series1Rangie]

X2 When you hit the circle, it deflects ever so slightly and then its loose. normally less than 5 "taps" (depending on the size of the hammer )

Mike and Myles

 

[AzRover]

I'm talking about the ball joints in the steering knuckle, not the tie rods. Those are pressed in to the axel housing. There is about an inch of surface area in contact.
The Land Rover tool made for this costs $1500 to $2000, depending on the source.

This link it a picture of the joint.
http://www.miamirovers.com/ebay/FTC3570-MC.jpg

The Land Rover tool.
http://www.handsontools.com/OTC-Tools-LRT-54-008B-Ball-Joint-Remover-_p_46460.html

The Harbor Freight tool.
http://www.harborfreight.com/four-wheel-drive-ball-joint-service-kit-4065.html

 

[UnfrozenCaveman]

I've never even looked at these parts....but for $70 + fire, I'd give it a try.

Put some tension on the tool, heat up the knuckle, ********** it with the lump hammer, I'd be surprised if it doesn't pop out.

After it works, let us all know I'll send you the address for the :beer:

 

[AzRover]

I'll let you guys know if it works. It will be a little while before I do it. There is no play in the joint, just a damaged boot. Today I get to replace my transfer case input seal.

 

[bmxer06pa]

Just so you know i am pretty sure you can borrow that tool kit from auto zone or advanced auto parts( I can't remember which one). No point in spending 70 dollars if it might not even work.

 

[AzRover]

Just so you know i am pretty sure you can borrow that tool kit from auto zone or advanced auto parts( I can't remember which one). No point in spending 70 dollars if it might not even work.

Thanks, I will look in to it.

 

[Rocket Ship]

Today I get to replace my transfer case input seal.

Hopefully you bought two, just in case. It's tricky to get the LT230 off the transmission on the 03-04. Be prepared to have to undo the transmission mounts and let the powertrain tilt back a bit.

 

[AzRover]

Hopefully you bought two, just in case. It's tricky to get the LT230 off the transmission on the 03-04. Be prepared to have to undo the transmission mounts and let the powertrain tilt back a bit.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to put this off for a week, waiting on parts. The dealer price was 10x that of British Pacific. When you add the exhaust gaskets, parts from the dealer would be over $100, or about $25 from British Pacific, with shipping. So, I will wait a week. The leak is not as bad as I thought. Added about 200 mL after a 300 mile camping trip.

I only ordered one seal. If I damage it, I will go and pay the dealer price for a replacement.

I picked up a Harbor freight transmission jack, and made a plywood version of the Land Rover transfer case to jack adapter plate. That should do the job, with some additional shims and supports. When I get a mounting bolt off, I will match it up at the hardware store, and make some alignment studs.

 

[Rocket Ship]

If your truck is used off-road a lot, you might want to consider doing every other seal in the area while you're at it. Transmission Output, and TC output seals. Seems like once they start to go, they all go.

As for that balljoint tool, $2000 is a crazy price. You could probably have that made for about $1-200 if the generic tool doesn't work.

 

[jhawk]

I used the Harbor Freight tool to remove and replace the entire front end of my 65 Chevelle. I can't imagine it not working on a Disco.

Jim

 

[AzRover]

Hopefully you bought two, just in case. It's tricky to get the LT230 off the transmission on the 03-04. Be prepared to have to undo the transmission mounts and let the powertrain tilt back a bit.

Thanks for the tip. One thing I wish I would have done is to keep the transfer case bolted to the transmission while I tilted the drvetrain, then unbolt in when down. I replaced the transmission output shaft and seal, along with the transfer case input seal.
I hope that stops the leak. Still have to rebuild and install the drive shafts, and install the exhaust. Then I can see if it still leaks.