Many 79 4x4 ball joint questions

[sb400]

So I need a new upper ball joint on the driver's side. I have never worked on a 4wd axle before, so how hard it is to get to these things? I have a shop manual for an '82, mine is a '79 with manual hubs. Is it all the same?

Three of the four joints on my rig do not have grease fittings. One of the lower joints does have a grease fitting. Would it be safe to assume that the odd joint has been replaced? (that's not the side that is making noise).

Also, the joints appear to have big snap rings holding them in. Are they pressed in too, or would I be lucky enough to have them just come out when I remove the snap ring?

Does replacing the joints affect the alignment?

One more question...if it is a real chore to remove the steering knuckle, should I consider replacing the u-joint in the axle too? How hard it that? There are some clicking noises coming from the front end when the hubs are locked and the transfer case is in 2wd mode.

Thanks for your help from a 4wd newbie.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Yeah, your oddball 1 with the grease nipple on it probably has been replaced before. I would replace them all at the same time or atleast both the 1s on either side at the same time. Just doing 1 is not worht it because it will get ruined very quick because its new and the other 1 is shot. I had it done for me because I did n't want to screw anything up? So I don't have any idea on how to do it. Yes it should effect your alingment, I think.
-Later

[soleeagle]

Originally Posted by sb400

So I need a new upper ball joint on the driver's side. I have never worked on a 4wd axle before, so how hard it is to get to these things? I have a shop manual for an '82, mine is a '79 with manual hubs. Is it all the same? YES THEY ALL COME APART THE SAME

Three of the four joints on my rig do not have grease fittings. One of the lower joints does have a grease fitting. Would it be safe to assume that the odd joint has been replaced? (that's not the side that is making noise). POSSIBLY

Also, the joints appear to have big snap rings holding them in. Are they pressed in too, or would I be lucky enough to have them just come out when I remove the snap ring? THEY ARE PRESSED IN SO YOU WILL NEED TO GO TO AUTOZONE AND BORROW A BALL JOINT PRESS. BY REMOVING THE SNAP RING THE JOINT WILL NOT JUST COME OUT. IF I WERE GOING TO CHANGE 1 JOINT I WOULD JUST CHANGE AT LEAST BOTH ON THAT SIDE. ME PERSONALLY I WOULD CHANGE ALL 4 WHILE YOU HAVE THE PRESS. YOU WILL BE TIME AND MONEY AHEAD IF YOU DO.IT IS A CHORE TO CHANGE THEM BUT WELL WORTH IT.

Does replacing the joints affect the alignment? NO

One more question...if it is a real chore to remove the steering knuckle, should I consider replacing the u-joint in the axle too? How hard it that? There are some clicking noises coming from the front end when the hubs are locked and the transfer case is in 2wd mode. I WOULD GO AHEAD AND CHANGE THE UJOINTS ALSO, YOU WILL HAVE THE AXLES REMOVED IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE BALL JOINTS SO JUST CHANGE THEM ALSO. NOT MUCH MORE MONEY SINCE YOU ALREADY HAVE IT APART. I WOULD GO AHEAD AND CHANGE THE SEALS IN IT TOO.

Thanks for your help from a 4wd newbie.

Welcome from Indiana too.