Ok.. so I know that my lower ball joints are bad... I go pick up a new set for the fronts.
Well I guess a lot of you guys have non 4 wheel drive trucks as a few said just throw on the ball joint press on the ball joint and away it goes..

Well on a 4 wheel drive truck, there is just not enough room to put anything there to press it out as a CV joint is there for the 4X4.

So my question, other than pulling the front cv joints how else can I get the room needed to remove the ball joints?

The truck is up in the air as I type... and I need to get it going? Ideas??

2005 4X4 2500HD LLY

Oh and I did search.. just have not found enought information on a 4X4 truck replacement on here

I do have a ball joint press for this project

Lower Ball Joint Replacement (Torsion Bar Suspension)

Removal Procedure


Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
Remove the lower control arm. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement (RWD) Lower Control Arm Replacement (4WD).
Place the lower control arm in a bench vice.
Using a chisel, remove the securing crimps from the ball joint body, if equipped.
Using a press, remove the ball joint from the lower control arm.
Installation Procedure



Install the new ball joint using a press. Important: Use the outer flange of the ball joint in order to press the ball joint into place.
Place the lower control arm in a bench vice.
Using a punch, install crimps to the ball joint, if necessary. Use the replaced ball joint as a reference.
Install the lower control arm. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement (RWD) Lower Control Arm Replacement (4WD).
Install the tire and wheel assembly.
Remove the safety stands.
Lower the vehicle.
Verify the wheel alignment. Refer to Measuring Wheel Alignment (w/Rear Wheel Steering) Measuring Wheel Alignment (w/o Rear Wheel Steering) in Wheel Alignment.










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Lower Control Arm Replacement (4WD)


Tools Required
J 43631 Ball Joint Remover
J 45851 Ball Joint Separator Protector Adapters
Removal Procedure


Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
Remove the tire and wheel.
Remove the stabilizer shaft links from the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement.
Remove the shock absorber lower nut and the bolt. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement (4WD) Shock Absorber Replacement (RWD).
Remove the torsion bars. Refer to Torsion Bar Replacement.
Remove the wheel drive shaft. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.








Remove the lower ball joint retaining nut.








Disconnect the lower ball joint stud from the steering knuckle using J 43631 and J 45851.








Remove the lower control arm nuts and the 15-series washers.
Remove the lower control arm bolts.








Remove the lower control arm nuts and the 25/35-series washers.
Remove the lower control arm bolts.
Remove the lower control arm.
Installation Procedure


Install the lower control arm.








Install the lower control arm 15-series bolts.








Install the lower control arm 25/35-series bolts.








Install the washers with the shoulder facing the arm.
Install the lower control arm retaining nuts.
Tighten the nuts to 175 Nm (129 ft. lbs.) .
Notice:
Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.



Install the wheel drive shaft. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.








Connect lower ball joint stud to the steering knuckle.
Install the retaining nut to the lower ball joint stud.
Tighten the nut to 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.) .
Install the torsion bars. Refer to Torsion Bar Replacement.
Install the shock absorber lower nut and bolt. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement (4WD) Shock Absorber Replacement (RWD).
Install the stabilizer shaft links to the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement.
Install the tire and wheel.
Remove the safety stands.
Lower the vehicle.
Align the vehicle. Refer to Measuring Wheel Alignment (w/Rear Wheel Steering) Measuring Wheel Alignment (w/o Rear Wheel Steering) in Wheel Alignment.

I live up the road from you pm me

thanks for posting this info

Question again on this.

Since I just replaced the CV axle and since I just found out easy it is to replace the axle, I was thinking that with that out of the way I would have a lot more room to get at the ball joint.
I just did a bunch of searchs for an old posting on replacing the lower ball joints.
I seem to remember something on less work for a 2 wheel drive truck replacing them

So with the CV axle removed, and a ball joint press on the lower control arm is it not a lot easier to do????

I can't find the posting on replacing the ball joints ... but I seem to remember it was around some where ?????

should only take a couple hours to do all 4 ball joints in the driveway with a small press, did mine a couple months ago

Just did all of my ball joints the other night also. Pull the entire hub off the truck. I left the brake line hooked up and set it on a milk crate out of the way. The best way I found to get the lower ball joint out was to throw a little heat at the a arm surrounding it and beat it out with a sledge hammer. Then use a ball joint tool to install the new one.

I did a write up in this post, it's very comprehensive.
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=339124

Vernon