I'm going to replace my lower balljoints, pitman, and idler arm myself, does anyone have suggestions as to how to make the process easier or problems I may run into? (I'm not replacing the upper ball joints because when I buy the Rough Country 2.5" lift, the upper control arms include upper ball joints.)

 

I've heard that if your ball joints never been replace since the factory that you need to take an air chisel to the rivits or at least a hammer & chisel. The new ball-joints are suppose to come w/ bolts to replace the rivits.

 

Yeah I've heard that before, i'm pretty positive they have never been replaced.

 

when i did my pitman i removed the steering box, i think its the only way to really work on it....it will be a PITA to remove if its anything like mine was.
the idler and lowers will be cake compared to the pitman.
just make sure you have a fork for the idler and you will be fine.

 

Yeah use a cut-off wheel and grind off heads of factory rivets on the lowers, same as top if your using factory arms them just use a punch and knock out rivets simple simple. As for the pitman arm Im sure u have to remove the steering box on a 4 wheel drive not sure on a 2 wheelr.

 

What else is involved in removing the pitman arm?

 

nothing really,just the process of removing the steering box. Once you get it out flip it over and remove the huge nut on it. im not sure what size it is. remove it then put the puller on the Pittman and tighten it until it pulls off the steering box.

 

Looks like this will be a blast lol but well worth the $600 saved that will cover the cost for my lift kit

 

i removed my pitman arm on my 98 4x4 simply by unbolting the steering box from the frame(but keep it there with hoses attached), and using a ''C'' puller and a impact gun it took about 25mins.
including the removal of the front factory skidplate.

factory ball joints, grind the rivets off or drill them off. pretty simple too.

 

Yeah doesn't look too bad at all.