Let us know how it goes with NTB. I have not dealt with them in at least 15 years....

 

Well Jon - it didn't go as planned!!! Dropped them off this morning - they said they would work on them this afternoon and should be ready around 4. At 4 I drove down - he is working on them and it will only cost you clock time since he has about 20 minutes. So far so good.

After 10 minutes of waiting, he calls me over and has 1 ball joint out, no bushings out and says they can't press the new ones in. I asked why and he showed me the below!!! Said because of the taper on the arm, the press broke the ball joint trying to press it in.
I had him press out the other ball joint, they did not charge me and I left after some choice words. Time to regroup, order another ball joint and not go back to NTB again!!!

 

Dang Steve, even I know when it's not moving look and see what's wrong.
I hate that for you.
Keep us up to date.

 

Pressing the new ones in is definitely tricky.

I used Wood as the fixturing medium, because I figured it would crush itself into a cradle:

Note 1/2" steel bar to keep bushing end of arm from rotating up when press goes down:


Grease/oil/lubricate hole, set ball joint in place:


I rented the "c-clamp" tool from autozone, for the sleeves/cups and used some wheel bearing pieces to press without damaging the BJ:


Had to stack cups to keep ball joint off press:


Check the 4X4 beam being crushed:


All done:

 

Geez! What a saga for a ball joint!

Well your original question was "Inner tie rod end - is it easy to replace??"
I think we all agree the answer is "No, it's not easy."

 

Sorry about your NTB experience, Steve. Now you know that a proper machine shop is required. I'm sure you will find one. Keep us posted....

 

I have multiple stories about NTB (I tried multiple, different NTB's with different cars before I gave up on them). Even simple things completely baffled them (like cutting off frozen adjusters/jam nuts) and even though NTB was an authorized Tirerack installer, they wouldn't install tires from Tirerack unless they were direct shipped, because they had done it in the past and "a tire exploded and killed a installer" Really? I would have thought that made the news. (Mine still had the Tirerack shipping wrap - and like I would direct ship $800 worth of tires to those morons).

I do credit NTB for me learning how to do alignments myself, because I wasn't taking a car back there, ever..

 

Appreciate the support!! Yeah it is definitely a learning experience for me and hell the wife is even considering buying me a press - but for the limited use it would get, not sure I can justify the cost. But then again......

Ungn - damn - it did a number on that 4x4 and was thinking that is what I need to do as well.

David - actually the tie rod is easy - it was the extra that needed done that is becoming problematic.

Will update once new ball joint arrives and I get them pressed in and everything installed so I can get the Mistress back on the road!! In the meantime - having a bit of fun driving the XE for a change

 

Ungn, motorcarman, Brutal - will a 6 ton press work to press out lower control arm bushings/ball joints??

 

A 6 ton would be pushing it. I have the 20 Ton and I would estimate it took at least 12T.

That 1/2" bar in the pictures, to keep the arm from rotating up during the press... it was a 7/16" bar... but that bar bent and I had to use a 1/2" bar.

 

ok - appreciate that piece of info since I was looking at purchasing a press. but found out today that although I'm no longer active duty and not retired military, my current employment still gets me access to the Base auto shop so I can use their press for $10. Ball joints arrive tomorrow - so will take everything there tomorrow evening and get this done.

I will make some type of platform to rest the control arm end on while the ball joint is being pressed in

Will update tomorrow

 

making progress - old bushings out and new power flex poly's installed but still have to press the ball joints ran out of time at the base hobby shop - and for $10 to use their press and tools - you can't beat that. Will go back tomorrow or Saturday to press in ball joints and get the this job finished.

One useful tip for anyone needing to replace the lower front bushings - a 33mm socket is the perfect diameter to use to press out the old!!

 

yeah - the back half of the front poly bushing keeps popping out but once installed in the bracket, it will be ok

 

Well done. Good luck with the ball joints this weekend....

 

Steve, so glad you are getting to the end of this little adventure.
As info, the press will set in the garage for long periods of time, but every time you need it you will be thankful to have it there.
As info your wife is a good one and she's right again. Go get one this Mother's Day at HF 25% off if you got the Email, if not I'll send you a copy of mine.

 

Wayne - no worries - get the emails as well and just brought the press home - need to get her on the road!!! So - putting the press together and then to finish this job!!!

Anyone in the Charleston area that needs ball joints or bushings pressed out/in, let me know

 

they're in!!! Taking a break for tonight and will install control arms & tie rods tomorrow

 

The press will work great for front wheel bearings as well.

Ltd

 

They look great. I suspect new ones may not be as good looking as your work. Keep'em on the Road!

 

Steve, haw great is that, well done.
Got a picture of the bracket you made up to get the arm level?
Again, a good write up will be forth coming and thanks.