got ball joints!

just picked up new upper ball joints for the truck ive never taken them out just played with them when i did the lift does anyone have any advice one the best way to remove and install them? i already know that ill new a tool to pull them out.

 

Not on a Gen 1. On Gen 1's, The upper BJs are in the spindle, not the UCA.
I had my local mach shop press old out, press new in when I had frt end apart. (Spindles removed from truck) There are other ways, but thats what I did. Good Luck

 

I'm going to be doing this pretty soon myself, but from what I've read and as you know, you'll need a tool to press out the old and install the new. I was going to just borrow one from Autozone when I do mine. The tool is basically just a heavy duty c-clamp with different sized adapters. You could easily make one yourself also by using a proper size pipe, a few pieces of iron, and a grade 8 bolt and nut. (Too much hassle when you can rent for free though).

You shouldn't have to remove the UCA or the knuckle, but just unscrew the ball joint, maybe give it a little tap to separate pieces. Your UCA should have enough play to be able to move it up to get to the knuckle to work the tool. Dont forget to remove the snap ring before trying to press it out.

Granted that I'm going to be replacing my whole UCA, but thats pretty much my plan to get the old one out.

 

upper ball joints can be a real pain in the ass to get out. when i removed mine to install my uniball UCAs i had to put the heat right to er and give er many smacks with a hammer to get them out of the spindle. removal of the cotter pin, castle nut and snap ring were the easy part of the job. it would be worth it to have a press.

 

Check out post #3 in jdmcq's thread for the press tool:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/55486-1st-gen-suspension-install.html

 

robby i want pics sooner or later of this!!

im jealous man...

 

your jealous of me? im jealous of you with that bumper and new springs!

got the ball joints done today not to bad to do the driver side was bad because the ball-joint was so worn out but besides that it was ok.

 

do you hav any pictures of the ball joints before and after?

id like to see what i should keep an eye out for. mine are going to go bad eventually... the springs are givin me alot of lift and alot of stress on my BJ

and post some pics of ur truck too. i havent seen it in a while