Changing ball joints on the 98

[Mudderoy]

I actually took Friday off to do this, and still couldn't get my butt in gear to do it. I finally got out there today about 6:45pm. One side done. Funny the 99 knuckles came off pretty easy, this one took a little time.

5362

[Mudderoy]

Both factory ball joints came out easy. Easier than the 99 and I wasn't complaining about those.

5363

[Mudderoy]

5364

[Mudderoy]

Synergy ball joints vs. factory original (Spicer?)

5365

[Mudderoy]

5366

[Mudderoy]

I like having grease fittings on both ball joints. It will be nice to be able to push all the old grease out from time to time.

5367

[Mudderoy]

5368

[nickyg]

Boy, you got a big set of BALL joints.

[Mudderoy]

I don't know how you can tell, or if you can tell when ball joints are bad after they are removed.

Without driving the 98 yet I can't tell yet, but the passenger side ball joints seemed to have been fine.

We'll see but I'm still impressed that with almost 200k miles and the last 10 years with oversized tires.

Maybe it would be different if I had taken it off road more.

[93DesertXJ]

I don't know how you can tell, or if you can tell when ball joints are bad after they are removed.

Without driving the 98 yet I can't tell yet, but the passenger side ball joints seemed to have been fine.

We'll see but I'm still impressed that with almost 200k miles and the last 10 years with oversized tires.

Maybe it would be different if I had taken it off road more.

How do they feel in your hand? Are they gritty in the socket, any play or separation from the socket? It should be pretty obvious if they're bad.

[Mudderoy]

How do they feel in your hand? Are they gritty in the socket, any play or separation from the socket? It should be pretty obvious if they're bad.

Well the top one doesn't move but the bottom ball joint I was able to move around. I checked the passenger's side quite a bit and no grinding. The driver's side I didn't mess with. They're all on the bench I'll have to check it.

I did notice that the driver's side upper the main shaft was coming out with the knuckle. The passenger's side didn't do that.

[Mudderoy]

I just went outside to put the Jeeps up in the garage. The 98 and the 03, so I took a quick run around the block in the 98.

Boy is that thing tough to turn. Nothing I can't manage, but I hope it loosens up pretty soon or I may be changing out the power steering pump! lol It's probably not that tight, but it's a stark difference between before and after and very different than the 03 TJ or the 99 XJ.

Hmmm just thinking I haven't driven the 99 since replacing it's ball joints.

The 40 minute ride into work tomorrow should tell me a lot.

[07Negative]

By chance you still got the box to those Synergy ball joints? I wanna know if they are made in Taiwan as well.

[Mudderoy]

By chance you still got the box to those Synergy ball joints? I wanna know if they are made in Taiwan as well.

I still have the box, I'll check.