So this past weekend I finally installed my front leveling kit, and like so many others I botched the grease boots on my upper ball joints. The funny thing is after I did it I searched TS and found out how to prevent it... How's that for logical...ugh! To make a long story short, I figured I would just replace the entire ball joint on both sides.
Autozone has upper ball joints made by duralast for less than 12 bucks a piece. The OEM ones from the dealer are around 33 bucks each. The price isn't my main concern I am more interested in the quality. Does anyone have any input on using the after market ones? Also, any suggestions on how to get the ball joint out of the steering knuckle would be appreciated.
When I replaced mine, I used toyota brand. At the time the local shops didn't have them avaialble. Otherwise I would've went aftermarket. You'll need a ball joint press to get them out. You can rent the tool for free from autzone. If you want to just change the boot, I have a boot kit you can have. PM your address and I'll send it you. Otherwise, if you change the ball joint, it should come with the boot kit.
do you need to change the ball joints, or just the boots? if just the boots, save yourself the trouble.
also, total chaos has a really handy tool for pressing out the upper ball joints, it's about ten bucks or so, and you can get it through offroad warehouse (link above, in the sponsor bar). alternatively, you can use a large specialty socket from autozone for about ten bucks, but the total chaos part is specific to the task. the stuff from autozone is necessary but is not complete for the task.
dyogim thanks for the grease boot offer, however I messed up the threads on one of the ball joints so I figured if I am going to replace one I will just do both. If I change my mind I will let you know.
When removing the ball joints from the spindle was there a c-clip or is it just pressed in?
I read a previous thread that said the press kit from autozone along with a 30mm deep socket should do the trick. Does this sound right to you guys?
When removing the ball joints from the spindle was there a c-clip or is it just pressed in?
I read a previous thread that said the press kit from autozone along with a 30mm deep socket should do the trick. Does this sound right to you guys?
since im probably the one that mentioned the 30mm socket ...yeah, that'll work, but i did that prior to the press tool from total chaos, i'd recommend the press tool instead as the socket was a little squirrely. if you do use the socket from autozone, it's a specialty socket, a deep 30mm made by "oem" (thats the manufacturer's label).
i do remember a snap ring/c-clip. i forget which direction the ball joint presses out from tho, but get that snap ring out or youll be cursing later. iirc the snap ring is on top, and the ball joint presses out from the top to the bottom, presses in from the bottom. one side has a lip.
the main reason for not messing with the bj unless you gotta is if you press it in/out off-angle it's easy to oval the hole in the spindle, at which point it wont fit properly anymore.
if youre going to press out the ball joints anyway, this might be an opportunity to spend a few hundred on a set of uniballs .
Remove the boot, boot retaining wire, circlip. . .
Cut the shaft off the old joint to make pressing it out easier (hack saw/sawsall - see old TS threads for details)
When I tried to press in the new joint I found the "C" clamp of the press was too tall to fit over the spindle while it was still mounted on the car ("C" hit the inner fender liner - grrrrr). I took the spindle right out to the bench and had the new ball joint pressed in in less than 1 minute. Loosen the axle retaining bolt BEFORE you raise the truck if you decide to go this route!
Watch the CV joint boot! I wrapped mine in cardboard BEFORE I started - drop ONE thing on it and . . . .
There is a pic in my gallery I took while popping mine off. With the right tools both can be off the truck in about 5 minutes. Remove the clip and they will press right out.
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Upper Ball Joint Suggestions
...yeah, that'll work, but i did that prior to the press tool from total chaos, i'd recommend the press tool instead as the socket was a little squirrely. if you do use the socket from autozone, it's a specialty socket, a deep 30mm made by "oem" (thats the manufacturer's label).
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On the truck or on the bench...
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