Has anyone ever replaced ball joints on a Gen II Max without removing the half-shafts? Can it be done?

telfonejac

 

Yes, you do not need to pull the shafts...but you DO need to pull the spindles off the shafts...you will need to break the tie-rod ends from the spindle first, and then the three nuts holding the ball-joint to the control arm. you can then manuever the spindle enough to release it from the shaft, without removing the shaft. Then, install the ball-joints on the spindles, insert the shaft back through the spindle, and reattach the the tie-rod end...torque everything down good, and you're set...

 

THANKS Maxwgn!

It looked to me that you could do it that way, but I wasn't sure it would work and I wasn't about to drop everything and then find out that it would not work....you know round peg...or is it square peg. Whatever! But thanks again I'll give it try...IF they need it.

telfonejac

 

Also it really helps to use the ball joint fork with a impact hammer if you can to break the tie rods and the ball joint off the spindles. Chances are you'll have original ball joints, and they require a lot of persuasion sometimes to come apart.

S

 

When I changed my ball joins I didn't take the tie rod ends off I just took the bolts loose on the ball joint and the nut to the spindle and popped it out.Took all of 10 minutes each to do.

 

with mine, there was not enough clearance to remove the joint-to-spindle nut...the CV joint was directly above the nut...

 

I had the same problem there but i just backed the nut of a little and knocked the joint down till I could remove the nut the rest of the way

 

But, without having proper access to the top of the nut, when putting it back on, how did you properly torque them?

 

hmmmm didn't do that,well ok my way may of been faster but not the best

 

No you don't....I changed mine without breaking them loose. They simply swung away attached...

 

With a little bit a finesse, yes, you may be able to get them to swing out without breaking the tie-rod ends...

 

I need to do this too. Where did you all get your cv joints from?

 

It'd be easier just to replace the entire half shaft, then to replace just the CV joint. There is a place up here, Kang Industries you can get them from. Most auto parts stores will have or can order the half-shafts.

S

 

Locally, AutoZone is selling them for about $55 each, for the entire rebuilt 1/2 shaft...