Ball Joints on 4X4 - how involved?

[truckster]

OK, I know I could have posted this on the Blazer page or on the 4X4 page, but I figured more people hang out here so I might get a quicker response. I'm kind of in a hurry because I'm taking the boys to Scout camp next week and I wanted to take the Blazer.

I've got a 72 Blazer K5 I just got running. I took it to get inspected and emission tested and everything was good except the ball joints. They'll be happy to do them for around $500, but I can get the parts for $90. I have a 20 ton press and ball joints are nothing new to me, but the 4X4 is. So what do I need to do to get to the ball joints? The front axle is (I believe) a corporate 10 bolt, at least there's 10 bolts on the cover.

Thanks for your help.

[keenee]

I did this some years ago, not too tough, hardest parts were pulling the spindles and the steering arm has three tapered bushings that were tough to remove.

[Rust Buster]

Just did this yesterday.
Getting the steering arm off was the hardest for me.
Then getting the balljoints out was hard but I did that to myself. I was pushing them the wrong way. They both come out the top.

[truckster]

What do I need to do to pull the spindle? I imagine I have to take the hub (it's a manual locking type) and then I'll find the spindle nut. Anything special I should know about in there?

[Rust Buster]

I don't think you have to. I did mine in conjuction with a total build of the truck so I am taking everything off. It definitely made things easier

[RED72blazer]

you just need the special hub socket.

[Rust Buster]

That will make it easier, or if you are lucky, you can back it off with a screwdriver and a hammer, not saying that's the right way though

[ckhd]

Your front axle is a Dana 44.

If you have a press, there's not too much to changing the ball joints. I didn't even have to take off the steering arm on mine (the '72 'burb). The special tools are the spindle nut socket (a big sucker with four teats) and a socket to take the sleeve out where the ball joints go (a little sucker with four teats). I rented a ball-joint press to do mine, already had the spindle nut socket, and bought the sleeve socket.

Get a manual, if you don't already have one. There are torque specs and procedures that you need to follow if you want it to be right.

While you have it apart, make sure you grease the inside of the spindle (where the front axle shafts pass), grease the u-joint on the axle shafts (replace if needed), check the needle bearings inside the spindle (and grease them), and replace the seal inside the spindle (not just the one in the hub). It's a lot easier to do it while you have it apart already than to have to take it apart again later to fix it.