Tootie Pang

iTrader: (2)

I can't seem to press the ball joints in straight. The first one just goes sideways and won't press. I've got the LCA's out and on a bench. I rented a ball joint press kit and also have a 12 ton press at home as well. I checked some videos and it doesn't seem particularly difficult. I will say that the LCA's are not very "flat" and square with the bore of the ball joint hole. The surface seems very curved and the sleeve cups seems to slip off to the side fairly easily. Thinking of just running it to a shop and paying the man.

Firebirdwade

I had this problem too. I used a 12 ton press and a ball joint press. Every time I started to press in the ball joint, when it would first go in it would try to **** off to one side. I had to use one of the adapters from the kit that was sort of half-moon shaped, so it doesn't sit on the curved part of the control arm. I heated up the arms, put the ball joints outside overnight(~0F). I had to press them with someone watching, every time it would try to **** to one side, stop, re-position the jig so the force was a little more on the side that wasn't going in, and get it a little straighter. Once it was into the control arm a little, take it over to the bench and use the ball joint press to get it in all the way. Again, get someone to watch and if it starts to **** off, re-position the press so it is pushing a little bit closer to that side.

The first one was an enormous pain, but once we got the rhythm, the second one just fell in. Hope you can get it, man!

naf

iTrader: (7)

have you put the ball joints in the freezer over night before trying? that and a little oil to help them slip in usually works.