Upper ball joints

Well, while I was putting on my front brakes today I noticed some slop. After some examination I found my passsenger side upper ball joint is shot. I just ordered two off ebay so I will replace both side uppers. Anyone have any tips? Never done ball joints. Are any special tools required?

I think they are just pressed in like a car....

You can probably drive them in with the right socket and small press... Or if you have no press you might be able to drive them in with a socket and hammer....

One tip is metal shrinks when cold so if you stick them in the freezer for a few hours before trying to install they should drive easier.....

I don't have a press. I guess I will try and see what I can do.

AIRBORNE wrote:

I don't have a press. I guess I will try and see what I can do.

How many miles are on your ride bro??


Do you ever grease the ball joints???

I have a grease needle that attaches to a standard grease gun you can use it to grease ball joint/tie rods and such by sliding the needle under the seal and pumping a few squirts of grease in... I do not recommend poking a hole in the seal..

this is how i did mine......press in and press out

i know there r several ways u can do this.this is how i did mine today.used hunterworks HD ball joints.

RedNeckRanger wrote:

this is how i did mine......press in and press out

i know there r several ways u can do this.this is how i did mine today.used hunterworks HD ball joints.

Good work bro,

Thats basicly what a ball joint tool is.....

Never greased them. I have 1200 miles on the Rhino now.

Thanks for the info guys.

I took the A-arm off and used a vice and a socket.

Ball joints should be here in a few days. I will try to see if I can do it.

Great info never thought of that.

mud-and-guts wrote:

AIRBORNE wrote:

I don't have a press. I guess I will try and see what I can do.

How many miles are on your ride bro??


Do you ever grease the ball joints???

I have a grease needle that attaches to a standard grease gun you can use it to grease ball joint/tie rods and such by sliding the needle under the seal and pumping a few squirts of grease in... I do not recommend poking a hole in the seal..

I checked mine out while changing wheel bearings today. 2000 miles and still in great shape.

Yank wrote:

I checked mine out while changing wheel bearings today. 2000 miles and still in great shape.

I have some play in two. They probably need to be replaced. 2500 miles.

nocerisdave wrote:

Great info never thought of that.

mud-and-guts wrote:

AIRBORNE wrote:

I don't have a press. I guess I will try and see what I can do.

How many miles are on your ride bro??


Do you ever grease the ball joints???

I have a grease needle that attaches to a standard grease gun you can use it to grease ball joint/tie rods and such by sliding the needle under the seal and pumping a few squirts of grease in... I do not recommend poking a hole in the seal..

I have been doing this for years I don't know why I never thought to add it to the tips and tricks section.... This also works with axles if you feel it needs a little extra grease...


Tip# 29. To extend the life of your ball joints and tie rods purchase a grease needle from the local auto parts store.
The grease needle can be slide between the seal and metal parts to allow greasing if it is not equipped
with a grease Zerk. The needle is designed so you can poke a small hole in the seal then grease but I
do not recommend poking a hole in any seals when used offroad.

Yank whats Kenzia your Rhino?

Ball joint tools can be had relatively cheaply. I used to carry one in my old Jeep since it was quite likely that I would knock the knuckle off the axle on my custom front axle if I broke a stub shaft or u-joint. I think that AutoZone and Advance have ball joint tools in the "loan a tool" program.

nocerisdave wrote:

Yank whats Kenzia your Rhino?

Japanese for "Continuous improvement".

Yank wrote:

nocerisdave wrote:

Yank whats Kenzia your Rhino?

Japanese for "Continuous improvement".

Is that possible?????

We need someone to kick up some dust!!!!!

Big-R wrote:

Is that possible?????

We need someone to kick up some dust!!!!!

Yes, I just had to improve my wheel bearings and radiator fan.