So, got the parts, and a new ball joint press kit... Watched all the videos online that I could find, and read a few post from here.
It was a lot harder than I thought it would be to get the old ones out. Cranked pretty hard to get the lower out especially.
New lower went in fine once I had it started, but the upper just won't start.
Is it possible that I bent the hole of the upper getting the lower pushed out?
It looks a bit wonky, and the hole along the lateral axis measures 1.785".... But transverse axis is only 1.73...did I totally f this up?




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Looks like you bent the upper ball joint flang on axle housing. If this is correct, axle is junk. Need new housing. Junkyard or find someone that is parting one out. Where are you located, maybe we could recommend someone in your area.

 

That's what I was afraid of. I was going to be doing poly bushings, sway bar and end links next, so I suppose taking off the springs and dropping the diff isn't too big a deal, just surprised that I weighing only 135 could actually bend the armature. Guess it's like Archimedes said "give me a lever long enough and a place to stand and I can move the world"
Anyway, I'm in Raleigh NC. Thx for any leads you may have.

 

There are two DIIs shown on row52.com at 109 U-Pull It on the southeast side of Winston-Salem.

One is a white '99 that went on the yard 4/9/20 and the other is a black '01 that's shown going on the yard Valentines Day. Unfortunately I can't tell from the crappy pics whether or not the front axle assembly is there on either truck.

At the company's web site they invite phone calls. You could call and ask them to check. The phone number I found is 336-788-9122. Good luck

Around here DIIs are becoming scarce at the self-service boneyards. It's been months since there's been one at the local LKQ. Inevitable, I guess, but a bummer for us nonetheless.

 

That only about an hour and a half away from me!
Thanks for the info!
I'll post updates here as a cautionary tale about using the upper part of the assembly as a lever against the C press to get the bottom ball joint off! There's got to be a better way!
Thx again!

 

it makes replacing them much easier if you throw the new ***** into the freezer for an hour, and just before pressing in, heat the flange with a propane/mapp torch for a min. Just warm it up, not super hot....then quickly put the two together.

also, I think you are supposed to remove the upper ball first, then that gives you room to press out the lower ball....

 

Yeah, the old hot hole cold ball joint trick, it's a good one!
The lower went in that way just as smooth as butter.
It was the pressing out where I biffed the the upper flange

 

I still use a bit of torch heat when removing too. But the trick is to get the ball under pretty tight pressure with the 'C' clamp tool first, and then hit the flange with the torch (just for a few seconds) and they usually pop loose. Then you have to crank down on the clamp screw before everything gets too hot or too cool. You don't want to heat up everything too much, then you have to wait for it to cool and start the process over.

 

Apart from the way it looks have you taken any measurement to see if it still lines up square or twisted out of line, to confirm it now scrap

Remember your putting in a Ball Joint it will take up a certain amount of misalignment !!!, dont right off the axcel just yet if you can get the new Ball joint in and refit the hub etc it should be good

 

Ok, I'll try again now that the axel is out.
If not... Otherwise I can get a 'new' one in about a week.

If indeed it is bad, I've opted to pay a few $ more to get an overhauled case from Uland in FL. Anyway, since I had to tear out the front end I decided now would be a good time to replace all the bushings.
Nothing beats a propane torch and an impact wrench to get the radius arm bolts off.... Just fyi
Also going to replace all the radius arm bolts, just bc.
Question for when it comes to reassembly:
Should I use antiseize on the threads only, and regular greese on the shaft... Or antiseize all the way?
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