Installation of Lower Ball Joints/Front Shocks. Tips or Tricks?

Installed! Rides amazingly better. Next weekend is LBJs and rust removal/painting on select areas. Alignment coming as well.

Hardest part was getting the nuts off the top of the shock tower.

 

14mm ratcheting box wrench; makes it easy as hell to install and uninstall the top bolts.

 

Yeah that would've definitely helped out big time!

 

Replacing upper and lower ball joints now. Thank you!

 

LBJ's are now installed. Getting an inspection and alignment this week. Thanks all for the help!

The old ones didn't have much play in them, but I'm glad to have replaced them before any thing happened!

 

Good thread. @Tjsingle26 I see you went with 4600s, which spring did you use?

 

I ended up going with MOOG 81104, https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1832320&cc=1418442&jsn=456. I didn't want to spend $150-$200 PER OEM coil spring.

 

@Tjsingle26 did you order everything from rockauto? Which strut mount did you go with? Appreciate the responses. I am looking to follow a similar path in replacing the suspension on my daily driver.

 

No problem man. I went with MOOG from Rockauto as well. I got all the bushings and retainers from Camelback Toyota.

 

Are you happy with these coils so far? I'm debating which ones to go with.

 

Would the torque specs be the same for a base model taco?

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they're slightly different. Plug your VIN into partsouq.com and see if you can pull up the parts diagram for your truck...usually shows torque specs

 

If anyone else hates the "jack jn the box" surprise from using a puller like I do I have a tip. Once you tension the LBJ with the puller just hit it with a hammer. Combing both methods saves you from a random pop.

 

It's like opening a tube a Pilsbury biscuits by peeling the paper off...never 'pops' in a predictable fashion, insists on startling the shit out of you every time

 

Old thread but needle a question answered on topic:. Got a new lower, or two new.. one of the lowers boot has a spring clip holding the fatter end to the ball but the top end of it when i move the ball joint anywhere but center the thing opens up around the friggn ball joint.. top.. can see all the grease and crap.. thsts not good right?. Ive already torn off the old one and gotta put it on but worried its gonna fug up on me quick.. i gotta drive a lot and new boot or balljoint wont be in for a week.. gonna be riding through dust n dirt country ascwell as salt and snow.. so im pretty much screwed aint i? What if i put the old boot inside the new one because the top part of the old one is intact and would fit but would that cause issues? I mean its just a boot and i wouldnt think the lowers go through a whole lot of articulation..

 

On a side note dont position your manhood below the ball joint separator. They tend to explode apart and send the metal tools flying. Manhood-0. Ball joint-2 nuts…. Thought i had to go to the hospital for a while and was wondering how the ambulance ride would go so i toughed it out and puked under the truck.. almost just pulled the jackstand down to stop the pain but figured my luck itd just cause more pain.. lol. Sucked…

 

Next time, remove the castle nut and reinstall it upside down. Thread it on until its flush with the stud. Doing this will prevent the outer tie rod from going flying when you break it apart with the puller.