What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

A failing rear axle bearing does not make a clunking noise. More of a rhythmic vibration. Ask me how I know.

 

How do you know good sir? I'm getting a similar vibration now around 40-50mph its more noticeable. I'm also considering what to do about these pesky ball joints. I want to replace all 4 corners, but the uppers need a new control arm right? What's a good option for a DD weekend warrior/mall crawler? Uniball seems like a lot of maintenance.


Tested out the new tires in some snow and mud, these KO2 are insanely grippy compared to the older KO. Black oak LED makes a confirmed waterproof product

 

Added some light to the bed
Before, all dark in the garage
After, only the bed light kit

 

Nope, upper ball joints are separate from the uca. Somebody will correct me if I'm wrong but I believe there are 4 bolts holding the upper ball joint to the uca and a castle nut holding it on the spindle. Pretty simple to change

 

Just remove the castle nut and the UCA will flip up and off of the UBJ stud. Push the ball joint out of the spindle and you're good to go.

 

Thanks..I'll have to check to see if that's what's happening

 

I just got those tires too they ride extremely smooth so far! (To my surprise) AND quiet!

 

Nice! Im loving the look of them.

 

Well I guess that's good! Wonder what the heck this clunking is? I already took out the hitch so I know it's not that..

 

the lower ball joint has 4 bolts connecting it to the spindle. the upper ball joint is pressed into the spindle. both are attached to the control arms by the post/ball and held by a castle nut.

the entire spindle can be removed by removing the upper and lower BJ castle nuts (and the CV hub nut for 4wd).

 

I was just talking about taking the upper ball joint out, not removing the entire spindle. Went would he do that to change ball joints? Lol

 

Removing the spindle is the easiest way to change the upper ball joint. The lower ball joint is bolted to the spindle with 4 bolts, but the upper is pressed into the spindle. Swapping the upper is best done with a shop press or you might get lucky with a ball joint press you borrow from an auto parts store.

 

O gotcha, i used an air hammer and pushed it right out super easy.

Take castle nut off, flip it over screw it back on far enough that its flush with the top of the threads and hit it with the air hammer for 3 seconds. Pops rightoff

 

I'm somewhat surprised that was enough to remove them. Last time I did them was with a shop press and it takes quite a lot of force unseat them. Also, how then did you install the new ones?

Regardless, if you're changing upper and lower ball joints, you've essentially removed the spindle anyways.

 

Yes it will, can't wait until it's done. I can beat any V8 truck I want but your heading the right way.

 

Yeah that was the other part, I didn't change my lowers at the same time.

I used an impact on the castle nut and screwed it on/press it in

 

Are you saying you put the tapered stud through the UCA, and seated the ball joint in the spindle by cranking on it? Because if so, In would highly recommend against doing it that way.

 

Yeah this was back on my 5 lug but that's how we did it

 

Yeah, we're comparing apples and oranges here. Breaking the taper of the stud is the same on both, and very easy. I usually just hit upwards on the lip of the UCA. But whereas the 5 lugger UBJ is bolted to the control arm, on the 6 lugger it is press fit into the spindle. That's the real bitch, not the tapered stud.

 

Well darn I was hoping it was a good enough excuse to get tc ucas and a mid travel coilover