Step 9: Press in New Ball Joint | Return to Steps
To start, I taped around my freshly painted LCA to prevent marring it up too much.


Next, select press tubes from the ball joint press kit that will be used to install. The 2-7/16"OD, 2-3/16"ID, 3-3/16"L press tube fit perfectly on the ball joint rim to push it in. The 2-1/8"OD, 1-3/4"ID, 1/2"L fit around the body of the ball joint and would sit on the top of the LCA to receive it. See this picture for the fitment of the pressing and receiving tube:


I greased the ball joint and mating surface with the same marine grease I've been using. I believe the lubrication helps the ball joint to straighten out if it gets a tad sideways on install.


Assembling everything into the press and tightening everything, the ball joint was starting to go in sideways. I over corrected the press to get the ball joint to re-center, which worked. The press could then be re-centered as well and everything was smooth sailing.


Once the ball joint is fully set into the LCA, there is a slot for a locking ring that will secure the ball joint from falling out. Tap it in as far as possible with a hammer, then use the hammer on a screwdriver to set it fully.