Tom, I JUST looked for this tool yesterday. I found a couple different
part numbers... can't remember them now though. The way I found them
was doing google searches, then ebay searches. The FSM calls out tool
C3561... search by that. Like you said, the "socket" size is 2-1/8" -
you can try searching "ball joint socket 2-1/8". Ebay has them for
anywhere from $20 to $60.
Hey, I just tried the search again and came up with this site
http://www.buymopar.com/store/tools.html - take a look at the bottom. $27
Anyway, if you don't want to get the tool, I've successfully pulled
these ball joints with a pipe wrench... but I've also failed pulling
them that way, which is why I'm getting the socket.
Don in CT
89 Dakota Convertible 4x4
74 Dart Sport 340
pbase.com/radon220/mopars
On 10/20/06, Ray Block <bpracing@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Terrible Tom
> >
> > With everything I have done to my cars and trucks - believe it or not...
> > I've never changed ball joints on anything. I am attempting to change
> > Christines ball joints, and I know what to do, but seem to lack to tools
> > to do it with. I picked up a ball joint press for the lowers... but the
> > uppers are threaded into the control arm.
> >
> > I measured and the ball joint measures 2 1/18th across. There seem to
> > be no balljoint tools suited to this task that I can find. And a large
> > box wrench in that size would cost me over $150!! Anyone have any
> > suggestions? There has to be a socket or a spanner wrench out there for
> > this. I could use a pipe wrench? But thats not my first choice.
> > --
>
> Have you looked at a new ball joint? Are the threads wide and flat? If
> so, they would be similar to the ball joints all the 1970's mopars used. I
> have changed some of those and there is indeed a special socket for them. I
> ordered mine through a local auto parts store. Almost certainly a Mac or
> Matco tool distributor would have (or could get) one. It would be a lot
> cheaper though if you could rent one... or borrow from a mopar tech.
>
> Word of warning...if you mess up the threads in the control arm, you will
> need to either replace the arm or use tack welds to help keep the joint in
> place. As you might imagine, too much heat in this area is not a good
> thing.
>
> Ray
> http://www.dragtruk.com/ENTRIES/20KM1FD2KWBP.html
>
>
>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Nov 01 2006 - 01:35:00 EST