3rd gen Tacoma ball joint press. Help!!

Where can I get a ball joint press for the front lower ball joint. All auto parts don’t have the right size to press out

 

IIRC most folk just buy the whole LCA, which comes with a ball joint installed. I think that's even the only way Toyota sells them.

I'm sure there are aftermarket bits, but don't recall many getting great reviews.

 

That's been a thing with Tacomas and 4Runners for a while. On my 4Runner I pulled the LCA and used an actual press to pop them out. The other option is to buy an OEM LCA with the ball joint already installed. People will yell you that you should but OEM but ask yourself.... if they're that much better would you be replacing it this early? My replacement greasable Moog ball joint is still fine 100k later.

 

I have a snap on one but it's a bit pricey for a diy situation. Are you sure the rental ones wouldn't work? I feel like the ball joints look a pretty normal size.

I'm a strong advocate of Oem in most applications but after swinging my dick around that Toyota ball joints are great I found both my front lower ones to be toast when I checked my front end the other day.... I also didn't realize how expensive the whole arm is... I'm now trying mevotech ttx because long story short they make acdelco ball joints and I found that when they get greased they don't ever seem to wear out unlike other serviceable ball joints on the market

 

That lower ball joint can be very tight. I had my 4Runner's replaced at a shop. The c-clamp style press couldn't get it out. It ended up being a two-man job: while the LCA is solidly supported by a tripod jack, one mechanic heated the LCA with an acetylene torch, while the second mechanic wailed at the ball joint with a sledgehammer. The c-clamp style press worked well in installing the new joints, though.

I got Moog ball joints put in. Only annoying thing is they have the low-profile grease fittings, needing a needle nose adapter for the grease gun.

 

You should be good with this kit...

https://www.jegs.com/i/OTC+Tools/717/6539/10002/-1?gad_source=1

 

I would refrain from heating the arm due to the heat changing the metallurgy of the arm and possibly compromising it. I've had good luck up to 450/4500 series trucks just loading up the press with my impact then hit what it goes through with a big heavy hammer and it usually pops the first or second hit

 

^Nah it's a welded arm. And it's somewhat common practice to reinforce the LCA by welding doublers/gussets around the bushing hoops. The torch isn't going to hurt it.

 

When I used to press ball joints I used to heat the steel and air chisel the F'er out. Takes seconds.

I was pro at honda and Ford truck ball joints.

Now I replace control arms haha.

 

^Since @Metub5x5 is in California it might be an option lol. My 13 year-old 4Runner would have seized cam bolts and rapid cost escalation if LCA removal was attempted. You know how much the OEM cam bolts cost.

 

Thank you everyone. I end up having a friend use his press to push it out.

 

I did it with a breaker bar and the rental kit from Advanced auto parts.

No press and no heat. It was a giant pain in the ass. Don’t mind the ratchet strap I used to get everything out of the way