H2 Upper and Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement

[Big2dabank]

I need to replace my ball joints on the upper and lower control arms, so I decided to do something a little different than just replace the entire control arms. I plan on eventually upgrading to heavy duty uppers with with either a uniball or moog problem solver ball joint, but until I make up my mind to pull the trigger on it, I decide to just fix the problem at hand. It appears that the common recommendation is to change the entire arm rather than press out the old ball joints and then press in new ball joints. I know, I know, why not just replace the arm, how much are you saving anyway. Well, if I can find a way to save a couple hundred dollars then I'll be damned if I am not going to try. So in doing some research, I happened upon the following well written article..

http://www.duramaxforum.com/forum/h...teering-component-replacement.html#post991541

So I decided to give it a shot, especially since I don't have anything to loose, worst case is I end up replacing the entire arms anyway. No big deal, just extra money I hoped not to have to spend. I have replaced ball joints on a 1500 series GMC truck before and it was pretty easy and straight forward with the right tools, it took a little convincing to remove the lower, but a friend of mine just showed me how to just pound it out a with deep socket and a bfh and it came right out with one firm hit, way easier than pushing it out with the ball joint tool. So before I head down this path, I was wondering if anyone had thoughts, comments, words of wisdom, etc..

 

[LoJac963]

Hmm that's a great write up, let us know how it works out. I really want to go through my entire front suspension and replace/upgrade everything I can.

 

[CaliHummer]

What's the pro's and con's? Just had mine replaced BIG difference in the handling.

 

[alrock]

Are the bushings in the control arms still in good shape? If they are, it's worth a try.

 

[Big2dabank]

Bushings appear to be in great shape, but the ball joints are spewing grease like a stuffed pig and there is definitely some play in the joints.

 

[alrock]

Mmm, pork

 

[twinmill28]

Yeah, looks like pretty standard ball joint replacement--nothing hard to do. But with availability of the Cognito UCA's and the wonder's they work on steering geometry with torsion bar crank or even a lift kit, that's the way to go if you can afford it. If you like doing recreational maintenance (as the F-16 maintainers call it), then replacing your ball joints now with Moog, and replacing them again in a couple years is the way to go. Actually, that's the way I'd do it for now, as my rig hasn't wheeled in 3 years---but if I were wheeling it, then Cognito is the way to go....
Anyway, if you haven't already, go check out the Cognito site---it lists both the ball joint UCA along with the johnny joint version

 

[Chastan]

Either way you go Jeff, take lots of pictures. Its time to rebuild my whole front end before winter comes for my truck as well.

I did a complete job a couple of years back on my explorer and one of the upper arms I left (odd OEM style) and just popped the ball joint out. I think I have a specific kit I picked up at tool shop to help. If I remember correctly, taking it out was easy but I was never able to get the new one to set as far down as I wanted. It was in tight enough but I could still see the "slits" on the side. I suspect the H2 will have its own challenges.

I am currently planning to do it all and may replace steering arm, pitman arms, etc.

I look forward to see what you end up doing.

 

[Big2dabank]

Yeah, looks like pretty standard ball joint replacement--nothing hard to do. But with availability of the Cognito UCA's and the wonder's they work on steering geometry with torsion bar crank or even a lift kit, that's the way to go if you can afford it. If you like doing recreational maintenance (as the F-16 maintainers call it), then replacing your ball joints now with Moog, and replacing them again in a couple years is the way to go. Actually, that's the way I'd do it for now, as my rig hasn't wheeled in 3 years---but if I were wheeling it, then Cognito is the way to go....
Anyway, if you haven't already, go check out the Cognito site---it lists both the ball joint UCA along with the johnny joint version

I am waiting to get into some other mods done before I go to beefier/better control arms, hence the idea to do this on a budget now. I am actually looking at the Kryptonite control arms or cam burg control arms more than the cognitos. I'll be doing a torsion bar delete and a combination of coil overs and airbags on the front/rear one of these days. So I will eventually need UCA's that will work with my idea.

Either way you go Jeff, take lots of pictures. Its time to rebuild my whole front end before winter comes for my truck as well.

I did a complete job a couple of years back on my explorer and one of the upper arms I left (odd OEM style) and just popped the ball joint out. I think I have a specific kit I picked up at tool shop to help. If I remember correctly, taking it out was easy but I was never able to get the new one to set as far down as I wanted. It was in tight enough but I could still see the "slits" on the side. I suspect the H2 will have its own challenges.

I am currently planning to do it all and may replace steering arm, pitman arms, etc.

I look forward to see what you end up doing.

I'll let you guys now how it goes, I certainly expect to encounter problems, but this should save both money and time.