Upper Ball Joint

TRDatVT · 04-03-2007, 07:31 AM

Got an upper ball joint that hurtin' pretty bad since its old and dry rotting and the lift. I am thinking of tackling it in the parking lot with some jack stands and some sockets and of course a ball joint fork. I was wondering if the job is worth trying, or if i should spend $300 bucks getting it fixed. Also, while I am in there I will be removing 1 bamecham top out.

PS: Is there a special tool to press the new ball joint in and do I HAVE to take the UCA off to do it?

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leonardator · 04-04-2007, 12:01 AM

make sure you do all of them, upper, lower, left and right. then alignment. you'll be sorry when you have to do one of the others after you do the one that needs it. you'll need a coil compressor.

Tanto · 04-04-2007, 12:23 AM

You won't NEED to take the UCA off but it does make it easier.

kevin444 · 04-04-2007, 12:30 AM

Could someone tell me the indicators and symptons of a worn out and or ball upper ball joints or ball joints in general?

mpavolka · 04-04-2007, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leonardator

make sure you do all of them, upper, lower, left and right. then alignment. you'll be sorry when you have to do one of the others after you do the one that needs it. you'll need a coil compressor.

I don't think you need a spring compressor. Especially if you are taking the struts off anyway to remove a top plate spacer.

Tanto · 04-04-2007, 04:16 AM

^ Right on about not needing the coil compressor. Unless you put the spacer IN your coilover

A balljoint is worn out when you start to get "play" in it when grab the arm and shake it. It may also make some noise as it gets worse.

Bighead · 04-04-2007, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRDatVT

PS: Is there a special tool to press the new ball joint in and do I HAVE to take the UCA off to do it?

I didn't pull the UCA but I did pull the spindle off completely...easier to work with. After that I used a really big vice w/ cheater bar and a piece of tube that fit right around the base of the ball joint. Pressed it out and then pressed back in. Just take your time and make sure it goes in straight.

TRDatVT · 04-04-2007, 05:35 AM

Well, thanks for the input... Got it done yesterday. I did not remove the spindle or the arm to do it. It was a little bit of the PITA and took about 2 hours to disassemble and reassemble, but was much better than my quoted 330 bucks at the mechanics. I also put in my rear 7 wrap coils, took out a top plate spacer and removed the rear conical bumpstops. Not bad for a days work and 5 hours of mess. Getting it aligned today hopefully!

04-04-2007, 12:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
kevin444 Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,864	Could someone tell me the indicators and symptons of a worn out and or ball upper ball joints or ball joints in general? __________________ 02 4runner conversion complete!

04-04-2007, 05:35 AM	#8 (permalink)
TRDatVT Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 275	Well, thanks for the input... Got it done yesterday. I did not remove the spindle or the arm to do it. It was a little bit of the PITA and took about 2 hours to disassemble and reassemble, but was much better than my quoted 330 bucks at the mechanics. I also put in my rear 7 wrap coils, took out a top plate spacer and removed the rear conical bumpstops. Not bad for a days work and 5 hours of mess. Getting it aligned today hopefully! __________________ 1999 4 Runner 9.9 sec 1/8 mile on 7 psi and fuel injectors only (NO Alcohol) weak tune! TRD Supercharger, Alcohol Injection, Walbro fuel pump upgrade, Custom 2.5" stainless exhaust, 3" Tundra/LC Coil Lift, 1.5" 4Crawler BL, 305/70/16 Mickey Thompson MTZ's... Next: HID Bi-xenon Conversion, Tundra brake upgrade...

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04-04-2007, 12:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
leonardator Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: washington Posts: 58	make sure you do all of them, upper, lower, left and right. then alignment. you'll be sorry when you have to do one of the others after you do the one that needs it. you'll need a coil compressor.