98 E-150 van 5.4 v8 130,000

[RLBROWN]

Need to change upper and lower ball joints. It haas been done once about 60,000 mi ago. need to know if it can be done in driveway.

[91xltlariat]

Upper & Lower Ball Joints--Removal & Installation

raise vehicle,place on jack stands.

Remove the brake disc.

Remove the wheel speed sensor.

Remove and discard the cotter pin and nut.

Using the special tool, disconnect the tie-rod end.

Remove and discard the cotter pin and the nut.

Remove the pinch bolt adjuster.





Remove the front wheel spindle.

Strike the lower end of the front axle to loosen the ball joint.

Remove the front wheel spindle.

Position the front wheel spindle in a vise, and remove the snapring from the lower ball joint.

WARNING
To avoid damage to the components, do not use heat to aid ball joint removal.





Using a U-Joint C-Clamp tool and suitable receiver cup, remove the lower ball joint from the front wheel spindle.

Using a U-Joint C-Clamp tool and suitable receiver cup, remove the upper ball joint.


To install:



NOTE
Clean the wheel knuckle ball joint bores.


NOTE
The lower ball joint must be installed first.



Using a U-Joint C-Clamp tool with suitable receiver cups, install the lower ball joint.

Using a U-Joint C-Clamp tool with suitable receiver cups, install the upper ball joint.

Install the snapring in the groove at the bottom of the ball joint.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.

Observe the following torques:


Pinch bolt: 77 ft. lbs. (104 Nm)

Lower ball stud nut: 130 ft. lbs. (176 Nm)

Tie rod end nut: 66 ft. lbs. (90 Nm)



Check and, if necessary, align the front end.