96 Dakota ball joints

Preparing for the fight of changing the ball joints on my 96 . All ball joints are in the freezer this week.....going to rent the tool kit from Oreilly soon.

Ive been oiling the crap out of everything in advance...

So--these are press in type. Im looking for any tricks you might have to make the fight easier

On the upper---can I change it without taking the upper A arm off the truck ??

The lower-- can it be done without removing the lower ca ?

Ive got some 4 ft pipe ready for leverage...and a torch...

If they are like my 99 Durango they can be done without R&R ing the arms.I use a ball joint press and my good impact.I remove the knuckle to get more room.I know my lowers you have to check the snapring for clearance.I did all 4 at the shop in about 1/1/2 hours.Did the ones on my kids 83 Ram in the drive in about 2 hours. Rocky

I've yet to pull the control arms on 72-93 Trucks to change them. Changed them on my wifes 01 Ram 1500 4wd with no trouble. Just gotta strong arm them. I know the trucks I've said are diff but suspension is suspension. If there's room and you have a Good impact that will make life easier. I couldn't fit an impact on the uppers of the wife 01 4wd

Hopefully the pressing tool has all the right adapters and make sure they start straight. Also, you do know the uppers are screwed in--right? Make sure you get the socket for it, and be just as careful making sure they go in straight. I used a 1/2" breaker bar and a long pipe to get them unscrewed, switched to a ratchet when they broke loose.

BTW, a LITTLE heat will help, you just want enough to help break things free, but honestly, I never used heat on any B/joints I have done.

are you sure the uppers are screwed in ??? everyone ive talked to said they press in.

the look like they have "ridges" not angled threads...

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are you sure the uppers are screwed in ??? everyone ive talked to said they press in.

the look like they have "ridges" not angled threads...

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There not a true 'thread' say like a bolt but yes they are supposed to be threaded in until they bottom out. FWIW when I changed the uppers/lowers on my B-van I managed to unthread the uppers and after fighting with the replacements I said F-it and just pressed the new threaded ones into the arm and called it done. Right or wrong I dont know, havnt fallen out yet.