Learn from my mistake - upper ball joints

[AppleTech]

There's a reason Toyota only sells the ball joint as part of the arm. It is a royal PITA to get in and out from the arm. I got it out with a rental ball joint tool but could only get it back in on one side, and only after filing the opening. Second one is locking up the tool before it even seats. I'm now calling around town to find someone with a press who can just press it in for me, but this has been a multi-day saga.

Lesson learned - just replace the whole arm instead of trying to press in a 555 joint.

-Phil

 

[jerryb]

haha, I did lowers and one upper one day, and said F the second upper, it wasn't worth it.

 

[AppleTech]

haha, I did lowers and one upper one day, and said F the second upper, it wasn't worth it.

I know right. Lowers really weren't hard - they popped out with a hammer and went in with the ball joint tool nice and smooth and self centered. The uppers jiggle all around and don't seat when you try to put them in! Never again. If I hadn't dropped $60 on the 555 joint I'd say screw it and toss it in the garbage and call up Onur.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

They go in much easier with the arm off the truck and on a press. For the cost of a new arm alone you can buy a shop press and have it after you're done.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I know right. Lowers really weren't hard - they popped out with a hammer and went in with the ball joint tool nice and smooth and self centered. The uppers jiggle all around and don't seat when you try to put them in! Never again. If I hadn't dropped $60 on the 555 joint I'd say screw it and toss it in the garbage and call up Onur.

$60/each?


Perhaps there is a market for refurb'd arms? We get a bunch or take-offs from SPC installs. We can rebush with OEM and my press makes quick work or the upper 555's too.

FYI, joints individually and in kits:
YWST: Japanese Upper & Lower Ball Joints - LC100 & LX470

 

[AppleTech]

$60/each?


Perhaps there is a market for refurb'd arms? We get a bunch or take-offs from SPC installs. We can rebush with OEM and my press makes quick work or the upper 555's too.

FYI, joints individually and in kits:
YWST: Japanese Upper & Lower Ball Joints - LC100 & LX470

Hah you're right I misspoke. I got them from you I was thinking of the cost of the lower. My hyperbole was meant to indicate that I spent the money on a better item or else I'd have just given up haha!

I like your idea of repressing take offs. Shipping would be be more but I'd have been willing to pay a few more for it be already done!

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I'll have to start hanging onto the arms and do a batch and see how they sell.

 

[87warrior]

I had better success than @AppleTech did with the 555 ball joints. It was pretty easy with the arm off the Cruiser using my Harbor Freight press, even using the wrong cup for the job

 

[AppleTech]

I had better success than @AppleTech did with the 555 ball joints. It was pretty easy with the arm off the Cruiser using my Harbor Freight press, even using the wrong cup for the job

View attachment 1519606

That's the exact tool I was using. The problem was the ball joint just bottomed before even starting and the gun wouldn't move it. SO weird. Worked on one side just not the other.

 

[AppleTech]

I had better success than @AppleTech did with the 555 ball joints. It was pretty easy with the arm off the Cruiser using my Harbor Freight press, even using the wrong cup for the job

View attachment 1519606

Did you do any cleanup or filing or just pop the old out and put the new in?

-Phil

 

[87warrior]

Did you do any cleanup or filing or just pop the old out and put the new in?

I don't recall doing anything special. Simply cleaned up the mounting surface and wiped the hole with a very thin layer of anti seize before putting it together. The ball joint was a bit more finicky to get pressed in straight than I'm used to (I've done many, many Jeep axles and can do those in my sleep) but once it started there were no surprises except for keeping the press perfectly centered on the cup.

 

[YodatheLC]

I'll have to start hanging onto the arms and do a batch and see how they sell.

Bum fights are one of my fondest childhood memories

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Bum fights are one of my fondest childhood memories

I'd have to admit watching it a few times...

 

[Dox]

Inte

I'll have to start hanging onto the arms and do a batch and see how they sell.

Interested!