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-   -   Ball Joint replacement (http://www.moparchat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118881)

BrianLyttle 03-21-2010 09:22 AM

Ball Joint replacement
 
My family has a 2002 Jeep Liberty 4x4 with over 100k miles on it. It needs new bushings in the upper control arms and possibly ball joints. Does anyone know if the ball joints are pressed in or welded. I looked and I could not see any welds on them. I plan on replacing all the ball joints in it.
Also, is it hard to press them out. I've done front end work before but never ball joints. I was told by the dealer that I would have to buy all new upper control arms. Doesn't make sense to me.

Also, are there any tricks or traps that I should be aware of before I tear into it?
thanks
brian

chirorod 03-21-2010 10:08 AM

ball joints
 
I believe there was more than one recall on the Libertys for ball joints. The originals had a tendency to break. I would check with Chrysler. I don't think you have to change the arms unless there is something wrong with them. It's possible that the dealer might do them for free.

JVMopar 03-21-2010 10:27 AM

Looks like the upper ball joint is part of the upper control arm and not serviced seperately. Also new arm comes with new busings. The lowers are just pressed in though.

BrianLyttle 03-21-2010 12:28 PM

I checked with chrysler about the recall on our Jeep. While there were mutiple recalls for the 02 jeep about ball joints, for some reason ours was not covered. I guess ours was built on a Tuesday instead of Monday.

I can get the upper ball joints for the Jeep but not the bushings from the local autoparts store. The dealer wants $900.00 bucks to fix the Jeep. I can grabbed the left wheel and it will shake back and forth about 1". The upper control arm is actually moving back and forth where it connects to the frame. I know I am going to have to do this work very soon. The front end is popping like crazy.

mopartec 03-21-2010 03:48 PM

you can press out the lower ball joints. the upper control arm is serviced by Chrysler as an assembly. it comes with the bushing and ball-joints installed.

JVMopar 03-21-2010 10:34 PM

Napa has a listing for the upper balljoint/control arm and they are shown in the picture with the bushings already installed.

dgc333 03-22-2010 07:20 PM

The upper control arms with ball joint and bushings are $111 from Rockauto.com. Looks like a pretty straight forward R&R.


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