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Step 1
Jack the truck up and secure it on jack stands. Remove the wheel and gain access to the lower ball joint. Remove the lower ball joint and purchase a new lower ball joint, taking the time to inspect the new part for damage.
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Step 2
Place the new lower ball joint up into the lower control arm. Take a pair of needle-nose pliers and put them in the snap ring, stretch the snap ring and place it over the top of the ball joint that is sticking out of the top of the control arm. Fit the snap ring down onto this part and let go with the pliers when seated properly. Always wear safety glasses when doing this.
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Step 3
Put the receiver cup on top of the lower ball joint and the ball joint press over the entire set-up. Use a half-inch drive ratchet with a 7/8 socket to place this on the top of the press. Put a piece of pipe over the handle of the ratchet. This gives you more leverage. Tighten the press until it is flush against the receiving cup and lower ball joint.
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Step 4
Tighten the press slowly pushing the lower ball joint into place. Stop and release the drive screw to see if the snap ring will go onto the ball joint. You may need to change the configuration along the way, if the ball joint is having a little trouble going in. Once it is in place, loosen the clamp and take it off. You should see a groove where the snap ring fits in and there should be no gap against the shoulder of the ball joint.
