ball joints on my 4 wheel drive

[shortbed]

Well I've decided not to put it off any longer. My 78 150 has had a lot of play in the front end, but it's really bad now. I bought a set of Moog ball joints for the driver's side (upper and lower), a new tie rod end and rented a ball joint press.
I plan on starting tomorrow, but just now wonder if I'll need a pickle fork to get the ball joints out. I do have a half inch electric hammer drill which I think will be useful pressing them back in . . . Any tips?

 

[SuperCab]

Big hammer. Seriously.

 

[holtz]

Just knock them out with a good heavy hammer and put them back in with the press. The spindle might be a PITA though.

 

[shortbed]

Big Hammer by itself or Big Hammer and pickle fork ?

 

[holtz]

Big hammer by it's self, I smack the $hit out of the stud of the ball joint to get it to drop out.

 

[shortbed]

I figured out what PITA means, but could you tell me more about how the spindle causes this discomfort and why . . . and can I get a hammer head onto the lower ball joint too . . . tucked in as it is in the knuckle . . .

 

[holtz]

I always used a heavy ball peen hammer and usually used the rounded end and I would smack the rolled edge od the old ball joint or you might be better off using the press, depends on your mechanical ability, I did brake suspension and front end work for a living and we had to replace parts as quick as possible, you know the whole making money routine.lol Might be able to take some pics for you of how I do it if that would help ?

 

[shortbed]

Thanks Holtz. I didn't have access to the internet for a few day . . . sorry it's taken me awhile to respond. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos and they helped. I have a choice here. Driving to my church, which happens to have a great shop on the grounds and staying overnight, I figure at least one night, or doing it at home with my own hand tools and the rented ball joint press.
My church's got air and a half inch air hammer and vise and . . . everything, but I would rather tackle it at home, keeping my fingers crossed I can get by with what I've got.