Uniball replacement

So I have the icon tube UCAs and my uniballs are squeaking loud. Going to replace them with the delta joints from icon.

what tools do I need? Can I just use basic tools at home? Without buying specific tools that are expensive. Also, do I need to remove the UCAs? Or can I do it with them on?

thank you.

 

Any help? Thanks

 

@WrecklessAbandon has done these before... but you'll need to take the UCA's off of the truck and you'll need a hydraulic press to push out the old uniballs and in the new Delta joint.

I know Icon sells a press kit... but I don't think there's any guarantee they'll come free, if they're seized in the bucket.

 

Does the ball joint bolt on or are they pressed in? Bolt on is pretty simple but if it’s pressed in that’s going to be more challenging and probably need to be removed to do it.

 

No idea. How can I find out?

 

Do yourself a favor and take the UCAs out of your truck, take them and the new delta joints to your local auto repair shop, and pay them to press out the uniballs and press in the delta joints. It will probably cost you like $40 and will save you a ton of blood/sweat/tears.

 

well I’m in the Middle East and I don’t trust mechanics here. Last time I had a ball joint pressed in they hammered it in. It was scary even though it worked.

 

I used a tool from total chaos and a ball joint press mounted in a table vice.

https://sdhqoffroad.com/products/uniball-removal-and-re-installation-tool


start spraying your uniballs with penetrating lube daily until you get everything you need to do the job


Good luck to you

 

If OP wants to drop some coin... supposedly you can do it "on truck" with this tool kit from Icon. Although I'm doubtful.

https://www.iconvehicledynamics.com...ries-on-vehicle-uniball-replacement-tool-kit/

https://www.iconvehicledynamics.com...ssories-delta-joint-install-adapter-and-shim/

 

Here's a video from Icon. Mind you, they're doing it on brand new parts and don't have a complete truck to work around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW6tkO5T4_s

 

The uniballs I replaced were so rusted/seized that there would have been no way to get the necessary torque on them to remove them "on truck".

 

I replace my TC with the UCA still on the truck. Same cups from TC, Ball joint press and some healthy ugga duggas . The snap rings were a bit of the pain being at an awkward angle while still mounted.

 

I didn't have an ugga dugga but I can see how that would take the effort out of it.

 

Not sure about Uniballs specifically, but I’ve replaced plenty of press-fit ball joints, bushings and u-joints (while still on the truck) using a ‘Ball Joint Press Kit’ (looks like a big, beefy C-clamp) Some automotive parts stores will even loan or rent the kit.....
Not sure if they’d have them where you’re located, but it might be worth a shot...

Also, like @WrecklessAbandon said earlier, soak then down with WD40 for a few days before you plan on swapping them...

 

yeah i'll second the difficulty of doing it on the truck... it depends on how they installed in the first place. I can do mine on the truck but that's because i was liberal with the anti-seize. and I don't think anybody mentioned retaining ring pliers (or some alternative) to pull the retaining ring first. That can sometimes be missed in the dirt and rust and you'll just be trying to push through that which won't happen.