Hello all,

I am needing some advice on ball joint clamps for my 99 cherokee classic and debating on what would be the cheapest route, and possibly the quickest, if you can please send a link to what you've used and what you did to make it the cheapest and quickest way to get it done, thanks in advance.

Sincerely,
xjcrawford

 

Maybe something like this would get you pointed in the right direction.
let us know how it goes......

http://www.higherground4x4.com/forum...ep-XJ-YJ-or-ZJ

 

I picked up one of those ball joint tools off Amazon and it's already paid for itself in the amount of ujoints and ball joints done with it.

 

I think I bought the OTC kit off amazon. Harbor freight carries one as well. Many auto parts stores will rent them as well.

 

good tip.... wasn't thinking of them as a rental tool option when I wrote that. Thought the OP was just wanting an idea of what was used for that job.

 

I rented the master ball joint kit from Oreillys, and the "4wd" extra kit that includes additional cups and pressing tools. It was basically free, so definitely worth it

Got the job done easily from what I remember. I did have to put a TON of pressure to get the ball joint out, but freezing the new ones overnight seemed to work great for easily pressing them back in. I also used a wire wheel and some sanding attachments on my dremel to get the ball joint cup on the knuckle nice and rust free, and a thin coat of antisieze for when I need to do it next.

Just keep tightening the clamp, letting it sit for a few seconds and hitting it HARD with a hammer to try and break it free. Even easier if you have an air hammer, tension the clamp and the knuckle with an air hammer, should be real easy. You will want a breaker bar with a cheater pipe extension, but don't put too much pressure on the clamp, you don't want it to bend or anything

EDIT:
Use Spicer ball joints for sure, get them from Rockauto.com or wherever is cheapest

 

several years back, bought a set from Harbor Frieght, its done three different XJ's, a ZJ, my F350 D60 and still is fine.
Buy the best all metal ball joints you can find if your lifted and running larger tires, the cheap chain stores china joints have a poly bushing inside the joint. seem okay for stock sized tire 235/75 but any larger and they will wear quickly.