Been wondering whether that type of tool would work on our rigs - thanks for posting! Nice to have another option.
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Lower Ball Joint Replacement Instructions
- Thread starter cruisermon
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Would the this also work for the upper ball joint if you removed the upper control arm first? I just don't have a press and don't want to spend $700 on OEM or Total Chaos UCAs.
bluecruiser
SILVER Star
It may work with the control arm in place but what upper ball joint will you use to replace it?
20 ton press here for $149 +$3.50 coupon
http://www.kouponthis.com/downloads/1232879/
Expiry 6/1/13
or 20% off here
http://www.retailmenot.com/view/harborfreight.com
or use coupon code 23427807 and buy it for $159
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This is a good question, but I don't think I've seen anyone source replacement ball joints for the uppers.
hoser
SILVER Star
I've seen some upper ball joints on eBay but quality is unknown...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-FRONT-Upp...&fits=Model:LX470&hash=item4a9b18b5c4&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-FRONT-Upp...&fits=Model:LX470&hash=item4a9b18b5c4&vxp=mtr
Just buy these and press out the ball joints. Still $100 ea instead of $350.
http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-521-66...TF8&colid=2LBKK7YNW24XJ&coliid=I2NEVU4LXC1SJU
http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-521-66...TF8&colid=2LBKK7YNW24XJ&coliid=I2NEVU4LXC1SJU
Wheel/tire supported off the ground...hands at 6 & 12...push-pull to detect play. Put some muscle into it or get a lever under the tire to assist.
Same but 3 & 6 for steering rack, rack bushings, tierod ends, etc.
If you're running "uni-ball" UCA that would be the first place to check...well assuming you've checked shock mount bolts, anti-sway bar connections/bushings for tightness/condition.
Same but 3 & 6 for steering rack, rack bushings, tierod ends, etc.
If you're running "uni-ball" UCA that would be the first place to check...well assuming you've checked shock mount bolts, anti-sway bar connections/bushings for tightness/condition.
Slight movement OK? Or will it be obvious?
Double check torque specs on all suspension components. For example, I was getting a noise, I checked my sway bar links today and the torque specs were all off.
As far as play in the LBJ should be fairly obvious. But put some *** into it.
As far as play in the LBJ should be fairly obvious. But put some *** into it.
I bought a pair of these joints, fitted one about 18 months ago and have had no problem with it, also fitted it with the arm still on the vehicle using this.
cruiser100
Comfortably Numb
Anyone have a source for a quality remove/install kit?
Any of them will do. When I did the lower, I just borrowed a set from my local kragen.
I ordered this one today: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0089QSBU8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A13DT91O985292
It looks similar but slightly smaller than the one linked above for $70 less. I'll report back.
It looks similar but slightly smaller than the one linked above for $70 less. I'll report back.
Very good thread! I am wondering though... ball joint separator @ 100.. vs 20 Ton press @ 169... The press can be used for a multitude of other things, however removal of the entire arm and disconnection of the TB is necessary... hmm... Now when removing the knuckle from the LCA, is there any trick? ie... can a pickle fork be used?
[STRIKE]I haven't done it yet but a BFH seems to be the trick around here. Also OTC sells a $30 separator that'd work too.[/STRIKE]
I had to use a pickle fork
This tool works for upper and lower ball joints but you'll need a 2" pipe coupler to use as a cup. The medium sized cup it come with is slightly too big to press in the new joint. I've used this tool to press out both the upper and lower ball joints and press in new ball joints. To replace the upper ball joints, you have to remove the control arm. It's 3 bolts and not difficult if you mark your cam adjustments before hand.
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Fantastic thread, helped me out today on a rush job!
I had a last minute lower ball joint need on my 100 today. I'm prepping for a big trip and sure enough as I'm driving around this last week I was getting a metallic 'squeak' when turning or with small suspension movements. We tried to grease the joints with a needle attachment as a temp fix but it needed to come out and the stars aligned today with parts in hand and space in the shop between customer jobs. All in all we replaced a the passenger side lower ball joint (555), upper ball joint boot (OEM) and the sway bar link with Old Man Emu upper bushings. Total time was about 3 hours with two guys bouncing around, part of that was waiting for Toyota to deliver the sway link (we will be stocking those now
). We did not remove the arm, rather removed the steering arm, brake caliper, ABS wiring, spindle at the UBJ & LBJ and CV at the hub. Next up is the drivers side but it will have to wait for more time, sadly I think we could have done the drivers side in just an extra hour or two as everything was out and we had our heads wrapped around the project.
I had a last minute lower ball joint need on my 100 today. I'm prepping for a big trip and sure enough as I'm driving around this last week I was getting a metallic 'squeak' when turning or with small suspension movements. We tried to grease the joints with a needle attachment as a temp fix but it needed to come out and the stars aligned today with parts in hand and space in the shop between customer jobs. All in all we replaced a the passenger side lower ball joint (555), upper ball joint boot (OEM) and the sway bar link with Old Man Emu upper bushings. Total time was about 3 hours with two guys bouncing around, part of that was waiting for Toyota to deliver the sway link (we will be stocking those now
). We did not remove the arm, rather removed the steering arm, brake caliper, ABS wiring, spindle at the UBJ & LBJ and CV at the hub. Next up is the drivers side but it will have to wait for more time, sadly I think we could have done the drivers side in just an extra hour or two as everything was out and we had our heads wrapped around the project.First off, I want to say in my 1st post thanks so much for this forum and this post in particular. I have been browsing your forums for several years while working on my 99LC (366K & counting...), but never felt the need to offer any feedback until now.
3 years ago I went looking for upper ball joints and found, as many of you have, that they were NOT available for our vehicle: not Toyota, not any local parts houses, not Rockauto or anywhere else I looked. Finally I gave up and bought some UCAs from Rockauto. Fast forward 3 years: those control arms are shot; bushings & ball joint gone, so here I am doing the same job only 3 years later. I found this thread on LCA repair (I'm doing those as well) and was stunned to find this ebay link to UCA BJs. BTW, that link doesn't return any useful results as of today, but the following one does:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BALL-JOINT-FRONT-UPPER-ARM-TOYOTA-LAND-CRUISER-100-1998-2007-OEM-48630-60020-/261317556818?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1999|Model%3ALand+Cruiser&hash=item3cd7bd7a52&vxp=mtr
Fortunately, I had followed my "never throw anything away" rule and was able to locate those original OEM UCAs from 3 years ago, pressed out the joints and replaced them with the above for $30/side!! We'll see what kind of mileage they give me.
Thanx again for all the good info on the forum...
