the lift and tires will be on this weekend!
- Thread starter NJrunner11
- Start date
NJrunner11
New member
yes i used the ball joint fork lookin thing but it was a mother effer to get separated. the passenger side was no problem, but the drivers side took about a half hour. this was doing everything slowly and cautiously trying not to tear the boot. we tried everthing from prying on anything that we could besides the actaul boot. finally we just had to go for it and it eventually came out, after some ripping... was should i do? i know its not good, but at this point is it a HUGE deal and something that needs immediate attention? i know ive read about others doing the same thing....
as far as the lights i dont see how it could possibly be any wiring problem. none of the wires were stressed as i remove the brackets so that they were free with no pull just to be extra sure. CJ3FLYER posted the link just in case so im sure it was been a problem on here before. i just did a google search and this seems to be a problem that most everyone had. JA i guess consider yourself lucky..
as far as the lights i dont see how it could possibly be any wiring problem. none of the wires were stressed as i remove the brackets so that they were free with no pull just to be extra sure. CJ3FLYER posted the link just in case so im sure it was been a problem on here before. i just did a google search and this seems to be a problem that most everyone had. JA i guess consider yourself lucky..
Those ball joints will be toast with ripped boots. Dirt, mud, and water will get in there and destroy them.
Get a new pair and install them before you get the front end alignment. This time try inverting the castle nut, screw it 3/4 the way on, and wack it with a big hammer, it'll pop right off. Pickle forks suck.
You might want to rethink tubular nerf bars if you plan to off-road. Mine didn't hold up well to a small rock last weekend. I'm going to get a set of shrockworks rock sliders one of these days.
Get a new pair and install them before you get the front end alignment. This time try inverting the castle nut, screw it 3/4 the way on, and wack it with a big hammer, it'll pop right off. Pickle forks suck.
You might want to rethink tubular nerf bars if you plan to off-road. Mine didn't hold up well to a small rock last weekend. I'm going to get a set of shrockworks rock sliders one of these days.
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CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
This type of puller did mine fine, no boot damage. http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/pullers_specialized/tie_rod_end.htm
The best news is they're cheap if your local parts place doesn't have a "loan-a-tool" program. They do come in 2 or three sizes though so get the right one.
If you have trouble coming up with a replacement boot see what they have in HELP product line at your auto parts store.
:cheers:
The best news is they're cheap if your local parts place doesn't have a "loan-a-tool" program. They do come in 2 or three sizes though so get the right one.
If you have trouble coming up with a replacement boot see what they have in HELP product line at your auto parts store.
:cheers:
NJrunner11
New member
wow that ball joint puller looks awesome, i had the fork looking one and after looking at my boots today, they are ****ED up. im so mad. where can i get replacements besides the stealer??? i dont plan on doing any offroading till i get them, so hopefully they will be okay in the mean time *crossed fingers*
besides that everything is great. the tires are on and balanced and the alignment will be done tomorrow. the truck looks 100% better. it really should come like this stock, as i still want MORE lift, but it def is an improvement.
the handling is a little spongy but i hope the sway bar bushing upgrade to be done next weekend will help a little but its really nothing major...
tuesday night ill have a bazillion pics of my truck so be prepared!
besides that everything is great. the tires are on and balanced and the alignment will be done tomorrow. the truck looks 100% better. it really should come like this stock, as i still want MORE lift, but it def is an improvement.
the handling is a little spongy but i hope the sway bar bushing upgrade to be done next weekend will help a little but its really nothing major...
tuesday night ill have a bazillion pics of my truck so be prepared!
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
This is all I've seen for just the boot besides the HELP line found at many auto parts stores. These are universal and the catalog is sketchy. I think you'll have to get a good idea of the ball-joint size and then email or call... http://www.jegs.com/p/Energy Suspen...+Joint+Boots&gclid=CNjplIG46ZYCFQq4sgod0k7cOA
http://www.energysuspension.com/pages/tierboots.html
:cheers:
http://www.energysuspension.com/pages/tierboots.html
:cheers:
NJrunner11 said:
check autozone or advance autoparts. when I did, the joints were like $45 each and they had to order them. Dealer looks like the same prices. You need to buy the whole outer tie rods, both sides.
Hope the link works.
http://www.trademotion.com/partloca...=2007&graphicID=F809225&callout=1&catalogid=1
NJrunner11
New member
thanks for all the info and help guys! the truck looks awesome and the alignment will be done tomrrow morning and then pics!
as far as the ripped boots, im going to take some measurements and pics tomorrow when the tires are off and then try to get some replacements. i know ill have to get another alignment, but i have no choice. i NEED my truck for work the rest of the week so unfortunatly ill just have to get another alignment after replacing them.
as far as the ripped boots, im going to take some measurements and pics tomorrow when the tires are off and then try to get some replacements. i know ill have to get another alignment, but i have no choice. i NEED my truck for work the rest of the week so unfortunatly ill just have to get another alignment after replacing them.
NJrunner11
New member
Fo_SheeZy said:
Hah me too!!! As soon as I get these damn lights off I will have a shitload ofpics... Hopefully when I get home from work I can get it sorted, if not will have to visit the dealer :/
Sent from my iPhone.
loner
New member
Just saw this thread.... Hope I'm not too late...
Please just go to the dealership and buy the upper ball joint boots. They are not expensive and you won't have to ghetto-fab your truck with anything from Pep Boys. The kit comes with the boot, the grease, and a boot clamp. However, I'd advise you to re-use your existing clamp, as the one that comes with the replacment boot is not as nice.
Please just go to the dealership and buy the upper ball joint boots. They are not expensive and you won't have to ghetto-fab your truck with anything from Pep Boys. The kit comes with the boot, the grease, and a boot clamp. However, I'd advise you to re-use your existing clamp, as the one that comes with the replacment boot is not as nice.
NJrunner11
New member
im sorry guys ive been super bummed out lately. the lights are still on and the guy from the dealer wont return my calls. im so friggin aggravated at this point. tomorrow im gonna go back to the "other" dealership and just pay the 120 bucks to get the lights off
i took some pics the other day just as it started to rain so i was rushed and a lot of the pics came out blurred. after work tom i promise ill take some pics
loner im really iffy about my boots lasting too long with the rips in them, however if i get my zero point calib done, after i replace them im gonna need a new alignment, and then possibly another calibration done. im hoping to make it through the winter and then in the spring time take care of everything.
sorry to keep you guys waiting, but between being aggravated out of my mind, and working a ridiculous amount of hours ive just been neglecting my truck. tomorrow ill snap some pics ad hook ya guys up... thansk again
i took some pics the other day just as it started to rain so i was rushed and a lot of the pics came out blurred. after work tom i promise ill take some pics
loner im really iffy about my boots lasting too long with the rips in them, however if i get my zero point calib done, after i replace them im gonna need a new alignment, and then possibly another calibration done. im hoping to make it through the winter and then in the spring time take care of everything.
sorry to keep you guys waiting, but between being aggravated out of my mind, and working a ridiculous amount of hours ive just been neglecting my truck. tomorrow ill snap some pics ad hook ya guys up... thansk again
NJrunner11
New member
and so the saga continues.....
went back to the first dealer and they tried to tell me they cant/wont do it. this time i stuck to my guns and actually insisted it be done. i was there 2 weeks ago and the service dept assistant manager told me he could do it, that it would be 120 bucks and couldnt guarantee the light would stay off. so i come back today and a different guy first tells me it cant be done because they dont have equipment to handle lifted trucks. i explained it doesnt need alignment or balancing or any of that crap. i simply need them to hook up the scanner and do the zero calib. after fighting and arguing he went back and asked one of the techs. ok he says we can do it. its gonna be 60 bucks and you have to bring it back saturday
i swear theres people have no idea what theyre talking about, and just make shit up as they go along. it goes from 120 bucks to "cant do it" to 60 bucks. so at 1130 sat morning i have an appointment to get this shit done finally
by the time i got home it was dark, so once again im sorry guys no pics today. ill shoot for tomorrow again.
ps - in the past week ive gotten two compliments on my trucks. one for the lift, and one for the "different looking" front end. (lights, grille, and bull guard).. trust me i cant wait to show off my truck with some pics, but its been one *&%*ed up month for me. SORRY GUYS!
went back to the first dealer and they tried to tell me they cant/wont do it. this time i stuck to my guns and actually insisted it be done. i was there 2 weeks ago and the service dept assistant manager told me he could do it, that it would be 120 bucks and couldnt guarantee the light would stay off. so i come back today and a different guy first tells me it cant be done because they dont have equipment to handle lifted trucks. i explained it doesnt need alignment or balancing or any of that crap. i simply need them to hook up the scanner and do the zero calib. after fighting and arguing he went back and asked one of the techs. ok he says we can do it. its gonna be 60 bucks and you have to bring it back saturday
i swear theres people have no idea what theyre talking about, and just make shit up as they go along. it goes from 120 bucks to "cant do it" to 60 bucks. so at 1130 sat morning i have an appointment to get this shit done finally
by the time i got home it was dark, so once again im sorry guys no pics today. ill shoot for tomorrow again.
ps - in the past week ive gotten two compliments on my trucks. one for the lift, and one for the "different looking" front end. (lights, grille, and bull guard).. trust me i cant wait to show off my truck with some pics, but its been one *&%*ed up month for me. SORRY GUYS!
loner
New member
Let me try to persuade you to do the boots now.
- It's a relatively easy job to replace them.
- Winter roads are nasty, and if crud gets in your boot and damages the upper ball joint, you're really screwed. The last time I checked (2 years ago), the ball joints were not sold seperately - you have to replace the entire upper control arm if your ball joint is bad. These things are expensive.
- To replace the boot, you have to disconnect and then re-connect the upper ball joint, but there should not be enough variance/slop in that component to make any sort of alignment or re-calibration necessary after the repair. In other words, you won't need an alignment after you replace the boots.
If you really want to wait - when I tore one of my boots, I wrapped it once with electrical tape to seal it until I could fix it right. It did fine for the month it was like that.
Good luck. I wouldn't be surprised if the dealer changes their story again on Saturday when you get down there.
- It's a relatively easy job to replace them.
- Winter roads are nasty, and if crud gets in your boot and damages the upper ball joint, you're really screwed. The last time I checked (2 years ago), the ball joints were not sold seperately - you have to replace the entire upper control arm if your ball joint is bad. These things are expensive.
- To replace the boot, you have to disconnect and then re-connect the upper ball joint, but there should not be enough variance/slop in that component to make any sort of alignment or re-calibration necessary after the repair. In other words, you won't need an alignment after you replace the boots.
If you really want to wait - when I tore one of my boots, I wrapped it once with electrical tape to seal it until I could fix it right. It did fine for the month it was like that.
Good luck. I wouldn't be surprised if the dealer changes their story again on Saturday when you get down there.
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