Hey guys,
Did a search and came up with some stuff. I have a 96 4WD balzer LT. The ball joints are WAY overdue.
How hard of a job is it to do the front upper and lower? Does anyone have step by step instructions?
Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys!

 

I just did this two days ago. I have a '98 2-door 4X4. The uppers are pretty straight forward, grind off the rivet heads, punch them out, put in the new. The lower is harder to get to. I found it easier to remove the steering knuckle all together. Both upper and lower ball joints mount above their pivots on the steering knuckle. If you install the upper first and attach it to the knuckle I could not drop the knuckle low enough to separate it from the lower, the axle is in the way. I pulled the front wheel bearings which allows you to swing the axle shaft out of the way, of course you have to move the brake caliper out of the way and remove the rotor first. Maybe there is a better way but that is how the manual said to do it.
Good Luck!
Dick

 

Yeah, I basically did what hammerdown did with removing the steering knuckle. I didn't remove the bearing, just the axle nut and pressed the axle out of the bearing a bit so that I could get the steering knuckle to clear the lower control arm. I then tied the steering knucle up out of the way and proceeded with the replacement.

 

I did mine exactly as hammerdown said, except I didn't have to gind anything off, the previous owner had already replaced them so it was just bolted down, not really an easy way to do it!

 

I am about to replace mine, for the second time in 85k miles I also need a new idler arm. Someone else did the first ones, I am going to do this myself this time. Only the lower is worn out right now, but I am going to replace both, instead of having to go back in and replace the upper later...for the 20 something dollars a new one costs, it's worth it.
Check this out. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=545573