How To : Flip Ball Joints

HOW TO : Flip Ball Joints

Justin Kessler

Central Pennsylvania

1987

2.2

Standard Cab

No new parts needed should be able to reuse existing parts

Tools needed: basic hand tools, PICKLE FORK ( to seperate ball joint from spindle), lug wrench, some typee of cut off tool(die grinder, sawsall )

I OR THIS FORUM ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR POOR WORK SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN

1. Jack it up put it on jack stands and take the front wheels off

2. Remove brake calipers and hang them up with mechanics wire ( DONT LET THEM HANG BY THE BRAKE LINE )
You may have to remove the retaining clip from the bottom side of the upper control arm

3. Remove the cotter pins and nuts from the studs of the ball joints.

4. With a pickle fork and hammer seperate the spindle from the upper control arm do the same on the lower control arm ( DO NOT STRIKE THE END OF THE BALL JOINT ) YOU WILL MUSHROOM THE END AND WONT GET THE NUT BACK ON.

5. Hang the spindle out of your way

6. Remove the upper ball joint from the underside of the upper control arm place it on the top side of the control with the stud still facing DOWN.

7.Bolt it back in

8. Remove the lower ball joint ( you will see a little hump above the ball joint ) once the ball joint is removed with the cut off tool you have remove the hump so that its flush with the top of the control arm ( Cut it horizontally NOT VERTICAL )

9.Once you have it cut off paint the bare metal area to prevent rust. Bolt the ball joint onto the top side off the lower control arm with the stud still facing down.

10. Reinstall the spindle, Ball joint nuts COTTER PINS