Hi all,

Quick question... Working on a 93 pickup, 4x4. Are the lower ball joints simply bolt-on, or do they have to be pressed in first? They pried out fairly easily after I took the bolts out, so I'm thinking bolt-on. Just need to confirm.

I picked up a set from autozone, and they don't seem to fit. They are just slightly too big for the holes in the steering knuckle. Not sure if this is going to require a press, or a return receipt.

As always, Thanks!!

 

My 93 4runner, 4x4... same front end, needed new balljoints. I replaced them with some Moog units. No pressing required. 4 little bolts&nuts and one big nut for the stud. Hammering was required to get the old one out though.

I bet somebody gave you the wrong parts. There should be nothing a ratchet can't install. Good luck!

 

Yeah, you're right. Bad part. I'll post the info here for future benefit.

These are not press-in. I broke out the calipers. The hole in the steering knuckle is 2.057" in diameter. The Autozone joints (P/N FA2054) measure 2.1-something, close to 2.2. I can't remember exactly. Too big=won't work. Ideally, I would have loved to have gone to Toyota, but I am still budgetarially challenged, so I tried o'reilly. The joints they have, P/N K9519, worked alright in the end, but still posed an issue. One of the four bolts that mount it to the steering knuckle sheered off when I tried to torque it to the recommended 26 lbs. I boxed this joint up and threw the other one on (I bought two). It went on okay, but I had to play with it for a while to get the bolt holes to line up properly and it still get it to fit in the hole. The castle nut torqued to 105 without a problem. I just had to over-torque slightly to get the pin hole to line up.

The lifetime warranty from the aftermarket stores is a plus, but plan for some complications. If you can afford to go OEM with this, do it.

 

Yikes, scary about the shearing at such low torque! I have heard you need to watch that some 2wd balljoints may be marketed for 4wd applications, when they will NOT withstand the stresses... something to watch for.

My Moog bjs fit perfectly, but they were considerably more expensive than some other brands carried by the store. Still cheaper than Toyota though. (obviously. )

Hope you have many trouble free miles with them!