Owning a 20 year old TJ means you better learn how fix things yourself or you are going to be wasting a lot of money. This is by far the best Jeep repair video I have watched. Just did the upper and lower ball joints on the driver side yesterday. I had this video on the tv in the garage and just followed right along. I was dealing with a bit more rust but I got the job done. Successfully completing this project motivated me to do some other much needed maintenance items. Going to do the passenger side today and will try leaving the axle nut on this time. Thanks for putting this together. It seriously saved me a ton of money and it was fun too!

I know this video is 6 years old, but I wanted to leave a comment to say that this has been extremely thorough and helpful. Thank you for making this.

one of the best jeep how-to videos i've watched.

@wilderstefan3360

3 жыл бұрын

i know Im randomly asking but does any of you know a way to log back into an instagram account..? I was dumb forgot my account password. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer me

@moisesreid283

3 жыл бұрын

@Wilder Stefan instablaster :)

If you're just replacing ball joints you can leave the axle nut on and pull the hub assembly and shaft as one piece. Saves the hassle of removing then re-torquing the nut.

@enragedgrandpa2889

3 жыл бұрын

That's how I do it in the shop. If eveything goes smoothly, it can save you almost an hour in flatrate.

great video! no language, clean place, clear viewing

I really love the fact that you put on the screen what size sockets and wrenches to use even after you say it, that goes a long way for a lot of people! And I love the fact that you outline or mark the parts with the white lines and include the names, very helpful and informative! Great work!

Best instructional video I've ever watched. Perfect clarity, beautifully edited and spot on commentary. Thanks!

This is how you make a HOWTO video. Great technical detail, lighting, editing, text/graphic overlays. Harry Connick Jr. can play piano and replace ball joints, too! 👍

Very informative, thank you. This really helped me get the job done on my '03 TJ. However, for those of you, like myself, who are changing ball joints to get rid of 'death wobble', should do yourself a favor and check your front hubs (bearings) before you take the tires off. Once the vehicle is lifted, hold the tire at 12 and 6 and see if there's any vertical play and dull metal tapping sound while jiggling it. This was the culprit on my driver's side vibrations and I only discovered it AFTER complete reassembly, so I had to take it back off all the way to the axle. Still, it was worth it, I'm riding as smooth as a Wrangler can, which is not smooth at all but with no wobble.

Definitely a great video for step by step purposes! In reality, there is a lot more rust and this job is a pain in the ass!!!

Thanks for the vid. Got bored during Pandemic Lockdown and I pulled my 99 TJ out of the garage after not driving it in 3-4 years because I didn't feel like replacing the cracked exhaust manifold. So I did that without issue one weekend. Next weekend did a roadside repair of a faulty CPS, and noticed my right front brake was squeaking/dragging. So here I am in week 3 doing brakes and find my steering knuckle has the dreaded pad indents/grooves on the slide causing the pads to hang. So ordering steering knuckle replacements, wheel hub assembly, rotors and pads and ball joints since i have it all apart, i might as well knock it all out. Thanks for the clear vid, just what the Doctor ordered for everything i have to do.

@FreedivejeepHD

4 жыл бұрын

Wow! You've got a happy Jeep there now! Nice work my friend.

that's the best ball joint video I have watched yet. I'm a idiot when it comes to that kind of thing and you made it crystal clear. Thank you very much I had your video playing the whole time I did mine and it went perfectly smooth

Really good step-by-step video of the ball joint replacement - nice job. As others have noted, many of us own crusty Jeeps where these components are heavily rusted. For those doing this for the first time with rusty parts: If you can't get the old ball joints to move using the press, you will need to heat up the 'C' metal the ball joints are being held by using a torch (a hand torch with a MAP gas bottle will work). First take a wire wheel and remove surface rust as must as you can, then apply penetrating oil like PB Blaster and let it soak in awhile. Next, use the torch, avoid applying direct heat to the ball joint itself as much as possible. You shouldn't need to get the metal 'cherry red' with the torch, but you will need to get the metal fairly hot, and the ball joints should break loose. Note - do NOT apply heat with the ball joint press mounted. Heat the metal first, then assemble the press over the ball joints and push them out. Use gloves to avoid getting burned (and safety glass too). My old very crusty ball joints would not budge without heat. For installation, use caution with heat when installing new ball joints, as the heat could damage the ball joint. You shouldn't need heat to re-install, though it may make it easier to press in. Some ball joints have an internal plastic component that will melt at high enough temps - with removal, this doesn't matter, but installation, you don't want to ruin a new ball joint using too much heat. Some have recommended the combination of freezing the ball joint, and heating the 'C' metal to ease installation - it will work, but if you use the heat to excess, then you run the risk of ruining the new ball joint. Good luck

Hands down the best instructional video I have seen. The printed tech data was an awesome bonus. Please do more as I have an 05 LJ Rubicon I will follow your lead on my vehicle

I don’t even need to replace ball joints. This is just entertaining.

Don’t stop making Jeep repair videos. 👍🏻

Absoltuely great video, has helped me so much... but also I did not unbolt the hub from the axle, as recommended by another commentor. You made my job so much easier! Nice professionalism, great directions, great filming, no profanity like others who feel need to be more of a man I guess, so no worries about my kids being around. Well done.

What a great video!! Straight to the point, no joking around. Very clear, very steady. Thank you!!

I’m installing a lift and replacing a bunch of front end parts. I have resorted to this video multiple times. I can’t thank you enough for making it.

@FreedivejeepHD

3 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Glad it was useful and thanks for watching!

Great video! Probably the most informative and well shot one I've seen lately. Love that this was done on an LJ! As an LJ owner myself, it's hard not to love this video.

One of the best informative videos I've seen yet; fantastic job: clear, concise and to the point. Nice touch having all the necessary socket sizes and torques included in the video. Much appreciated.......

Like a boss. One of the best instructional videos. Was searching for tie rod replacement but ended up watching the whole thing.

Just subscribed after watching and taking notes. Congratulations, on taking the time and patience to add all the details, i.e. bolt and nuts tool sizing, a helpful addition, that some others miss which, all told, makes your video on ball joints informative and useful. Add to that, you also include tips for the other required, R&R ancillaries, culminating in a well made tutorial for the diy at home Jeep enthusiast. Thank you!

something very simple guys- don't use a differential as a lifting point. Differentials are not designed to be lifted from and yes they do crack. Use the FRAME to lift the vehicle every time, no exception.

@spencerkaufmann5449

6 жыл бұрын

Cherokees don't have a frame, they're unibody

that was the most efficiently detailed auto maintenance video EVER! Thank you.

best video I have ever seen. Step by step. I followed your video and with another and was able to replace my sway bars and ends front and back track bar front and back, upper lower ball joints all wheels, breaks, tie bar ends, dampener and upper tie rod saved a ton of money and learned everthing I needed about suspensions THANKS!

Great video without the need for language edits - a great plus when my grandson is helping me!

@FreedivejeepHD

5 жыл бұрын

Glad to be of service! Thanks for watching.

Absolute best how to video ever. You should have your own show

One of the best vids I've watched. Great audio, camera work. Nice speed for covering the work being done. My first time watching you and it made me a subscriber!

This is one of the best instructional videos on youtube. Easy to understand, comprehensive, and no fluff at all! Thank you. I'm doing all four joints on my New England salted TJ. To get my hub unstuck from the knuckle I threaded a bolt into one of the three hub mounting holes (not the Jeep bolt, it was a used head bolt from a Ford Ranger) and hit the bolt head to knock the hub away from the knuckle. During re-assembly I will be putting a thin smear of anti-seize on both mating surfaces of the brake dust shield to help keep the hub from getting stuck to the knuckle again.

Fantastic how to with great details! One of those jobs you tend to dread but then can feel great about when it's done!

Best videos I've seen on TJ's. Nice job!! Thank you.

@FreedivejeepHD

Жыл бұрын

Glad to be of service!

Dude your a Jeep Professor with this well explained video. Thank you for your time and help.

Thanks for the video. I use my jack handle as a breaker as well. Good on ya

@FreedivejeepHD

8 жыл бұрын

+Illkilla1984 Right: I don't remember who showed me that, but it was a great tip! Thanks for watching!

Outstanding video. Your explanation of steps was clear. Now I’m ready to do my ball joints. Thank you Creeker Jeeper

Excellent! The best video I have seen on how to replace ball joints on a Jeep. You even included torque settings fantastic.

This is absolutely the best how-to video I've ever seen on You Tube!! Thanks so much!

@FreedivejeepHD

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Christian; glad to be of service!

Super helpful video just knocked out ball joints on my 01 thank you sir!

NICE JOB! Very professional video and thorough. Thanks

A very good video expertly done without the need for profanities.

Quite informative and thorough presentation on how to do ball joints. Makes me want to try this on my own. Was initially looking for information on the loose bolt on the axle of the track bar on my 93 Wrangler.

Great instructional video! I see the value of separating the axle from the hub as it makes it lighter and easier to manage. He took great care to not contaminate the axle splines which would be more difficult to align without scraping the inside of the axle housing. Someone with bigger stronger Popeye forearms and wrists could do it, but not me. Great job! Hope to see more videos?

Thank you very much for making this video I just bought my first Jeep and I am brand new to this world thank you for going into the extra detail because now I know how all the other parts work I hope you choose to make more videos

@FreedivejeepHD

5 жыл бұрын

Congrats on your first Jeep! Welcome to the rabbit hole :)

Great work, its good to watch someone who's good with tools, nice job.

Great how-to video showing each step. Thanks for taking the time to make and publish. Need to service the front-end on our 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ and this will be my reference video. Thanks again!

This was a very informative video. Clear video and sound made it perfectly easy to see and understand everything that was being done. Great video.

Great Video, helped a lot when replacing my TJ ball joints. Gave me the confidence I needed to complete the job vs paying someone $$$$ in labor for no reason. I replaced the wheel bearing & Bolts, and spline u joint while i had everything off so i don't have to worry about it later though. With all of that plus the ball joint press and Mopar adapter (Definatly need, find on Amazon) i am still way ahead of what a shop wanted to charge!

@FreedivejeepHD

4 жыл бұрын

Great job!!! Plus, it's nice to know it was done right...

On screen specs of torques and tips etc. is top notch

Thank you for posting this. Excellent video. I will be doing mine on Monday and this guide will be front and center!!!

Great video, concise, not too dry and very informative.

Best instruction video I have ever seen. Thanks.

Awesome video. Thanks for your generosity of time and energy to help your fellow Jeepers. I'm going to share the heck outta this one.

Nice vid, thanks. I have a ZJ 'Princess' (Orvis) and I'm with you on that; -it's all about care. She's my little Sweetheart so she gets TLC and she usually needs it. I don't cut corners and everything goes back clean and properly aligned the first time (makes no sense to have to do it over, do it right the first time). Thanks again

@FreedivejeepHD

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Your Jeep's name is an excellent choice. Sounds like a super-nice rig!

Bro your video was incredibly helpful. Thank you

01 XJ Owner. Excellent Video!

Awesome vid! i will be watching this in the garage as i do the front of my 96 XJ, Thanks!!!

This is the most professional video I've ever seen

Mistrzostwo Świata - fachowo ,czysto, precyzyjnie !!!!!

2:20 oh those bolt pops though, so satisfying

A solid hit with a good hammer (no claw or small ball peen) directly on the steering knuclke where the stud goes through will also pop the tie rod out of the knuckle. Usually just a couple good hits does it. I have never had it fail unless my swing missed. The shock breaks the taper free and you don't really do any damage to the knuckle, nothing gets deformed. The knuckle is cast steel.

This was an awesome how to thanks you for taking the time to make a video of this quality for wanna be mechanics like me hahah

Thanks for the video, doesn't look difficult as long as you have the proper tools.

Great video, very helpful. Will tackle this. Local shop wants 21/2 hours per side.

FYI. If the old ball joints u remove are smooth on the side you don’t wanna put in the new ones that have knurling on the side. A lot of non spicer ball joints have the knurling. From what I researched the knurling is used to ensure more of a snug fit in the knuckle if aftermarket ball joints were previously put in. Basically aftermarket ones might have stretched the knuckle so to speak. A lot of jeep websites don’t know this when u call them to ask questions. If your old ones r smooth, replace with smooth ones. Buy Spicer ones. Don’t go cheap on things that r very hard to replace such as ball joints, u joints, unit or hub bearings etc… Also, AutoZone has a separate ball joint kit called Master ball joint kit I believe. It has a lotta cups most importantly the offset one like seen in this video. To remove my lower ball joints that were original with 165.000 miles, I needed a 5 foot pipe on a breaker bar for a few quarter turns to get them out I also spent an hr with sandpaper n wire brush cleaning the knuckles when they press in along with where the unit bearing presses in Don’t rush this job. Spread it out over a few days n do it once correctly I hope this helps

I bought by tj from that dealer 6 years ago still very happy

Great camera work. Great instructional video.

Thank you for making it look easy. Not sure I will attempt maybe next year as mine is way too Rusty.

Great video you make it look so easy. I'm a technician might have to do this myself soon.

The real mvp of this video is the Rolex 🖤

Really good how to. Great info, especially the torque values.

Great video, I'm about to do all this on my 98 wrangler for the first time.

Awesome video used to today to change mine. I would have been lost with out it. Thanks

Great video write up. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

Are we an engineer? lol. Fantastic job, sir, very thorough and succinct.

@FreedivejeepHD

5 жыл бұрын

Haha; nope :) I'm a car salesman and a photographer. Thanks for watching, and I hope it made your life a little easier!

This dude is a wiz at this!

This is an excellent instructional video.

Wow, what a great presentation. Spot on!

Time To Stop The "Death Wobble". Thanks For The Video

So impressive, I now realize that this job is going to be done by someone other than myself😮😃

Tip - if you are doing that, replace the hub assembly if it is old or has 80,000+ miles. It will fail sooner than later. Get something really good if you go off road it have large tires. If it’s your weekend top down cruiser, anything will work.

Awesome video!! Very detailed. Thank you for posting.

Pro tip. Put your ball joints and u joints in the freezer the night before and they will almost fall into place because they shrink. It makes this process MUCH easier.

salt belt = 3X harder job lol. wish they looked like that here...

Thanks for the video helped me out a lot!

EXCELLENT INSTRUCTION!!! THANK YOU!!!

You made that look so easy. 🤯

Very detailed job.! Thank you for this upload.!!

Thats a hell of a sleeper Rubicon 👍🏻

@FreedivejeepHD

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! She never fails to impress me :)

Awesome video man. Thanks for posting for everyone's reference; this has got to be one of, if not the best, online. I do have one question though. Where did you find the 125 ft lb torque specs for the Dana 44 unit bearing vs the 75 ft lb for the Dana 30? All of my manuals show this torque spec. to be 75 ft lbs. irregardless of the differential. I just want to make sure I torque my Rubicon unit bearings to the correct spec. Thanks again for the great videos on your channel.

@FreedivejeepHD

3 жыл бұрын

Great catch, I usually cross reference all my torque specs and I didn't double check that one. 75 ft-lbs is correct for both D30 and D44's. Thanks for watching!

Great TJ video...that cheater bar will really ruin a ratchet.

very good descriptive video. thanks!

Very clear and well done video!

Really nicely done diy video! Thanks!

Outstanding video. Thanks!

I dont even need to replace my joints. But I watched the whole thing cause I knew it would be a good video once I saw him work on it with a rolex lol

Thank you for this video. Are those tapered receivers part of the kit? Liked & Subscribed!

Nice LJ! I've got a black beauty, love it.

8:41 dude is wearing a rolex while smashing stuff with sledgehammer LOL

Great vid, but did you had to take the hub assembly out.

Great video! Thank you!