95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

New here and need help with upper ball joint

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Old Jul 14, 2006 | 06:34 AM
  #1  
Stal's Avatar
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New here and need help with upper ball joint

I have read through many threads about this. Does an auto parts store carry a ball joint press that is strong enough to press that ball joint into the spindle?
How hard is it to get the spindle off and just bring it into Meineke and have them press it in there for me. Whats the easiest option? Please help asap as I without a truck right now.
Thanks guys!!!!
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Old Jul 14, 2006 | 09:40 AM
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From: savannah GA
i pressed mine in with a piece of pipe in a vise, kinda tricky but it worked
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Old Jul 14, 2006 | 09:48 AM
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So you had to pull the spindle out of the truck?
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Old Jul 14, 2006 | 12:41 PM
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From: Smoky San Diego
The factory Upper ball joint is attached to the spindle, so yes, you will have to at least disconnect your upper control arm to work with it. Taking the spindle off the truck makes it MUCH easier to do. To take out the old ball joint, just find a socket that is just a tad smaller than the ball joint and use a hammer to knock it out. Autozone will loan you a ball joint press, but I believe the deposit (that you get back if you return it) is around $140. The Autozone one is kinda crappy but you can make it work pressing your new balljoint in.
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Old Jul 14, 2006 | 01:08 PM
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From: Castle Rock, CO
I could never get the ball joint press to work because the spindle top section curves and won't allow the press to seat correctly.

I just ended up taking both spindles into Midas and having them use a shop press to get the new upper ball joints in.
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Old Jul 14, 2006 | 07:14 PM
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From: Fort Worth, TEXAS
i used a kit from a local auto supply and an assortment of very large sockets (1" drive) and jimmy rigged it untill it popped free. i let it soak good with PB blaster overnight before hand as well.
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Old Jul 15, 2006 | 06:19 AM
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Ok I got it. I went to Advance Auto Parts and rented a ball joint press. It was an impressive kit. I had no problems at all. I would recommend this to others who have to try this.
Thank you all for the imput!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old Jul 15, 2006 | 07:12 AM
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From: Smoky San Diego
No problem. Glad to hear that everything worked out for you!
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