Press kit for upper ball joint? (1 Viewer)

[toyotawave]

I looked through the forums and couldn't find what I was looking for. Basically I'm looking to find the cheapest press kit I can get to replace my UBJ. I checked Harbor Freight for a kit and this was in my budget. My only issue is that I'm not even sure if this will be the correct sizes for my UBJ. I have an 00' LC, thanks in advance to anyone that can let me know at least what kit they used themselves for this job.

 

[uHu]

That kit looks like the one I used, only with more pipes. I had to make my own adaptor-pipe from an old steel water pipe.

 

[3_puppies]

do your local parts stores offer loaner tools?

 

[whitec13]

That is the exact kit that I have and used for my upper and lower ball joints. When replacing either, it’s a good idea to pull the dust boot and replace after installation. This will also allow you to press on the lip of the ball joint better, as the boot covers a portion of it.

 

[whitec13]

Thinking about this from when I replaced mine, I will say I recall my UCAs were off the truck when I did this. Still doable for sure while on the truck, but wanted to be clear on my instance. The LBJ is super easy on or off the truck.
Don’t go ramming away with an impact. Use a long handled breaker bar or a long cheater bar on a small breaker bar. It may take a tiny bit longer, but you have less risk of damaging anything in the process.
Toss some marine grease (or wheel bearing grease) on the edges of your arms ball joint hole. It will do 2 things; help with insertion and a bit of corrosion protection. Also, put the ball joint in the freezer the day before you do this job. In my case, freezing combined with greasing let the ball joint nearly fall into the arm with little to no pressure.

 

[toyotawave]

do your local parts stores offer loaner tools?

Yes but from the research I did on the LBJ, the simplistic kit I could rent wouldn’t really do me much good. I figured it would be the same case with the UBJ.

Thinking about this from when I replaced mine, I will say I recall my UCAs were off the truck when I did this. Still doable for sure while on the truck, but wanted to be clear on my instance. The LBJ is super easy on or off the truck.
Don’t go ramming away with an impact. Use a long handled breaker bar or a long cheater bar on a small breaker bar. It may take a tiny bit longer, but you have less risk of damaging anything in the process.
Toss some marine grease (or wheel bearing grease) on the edges of your arms ball joint hole. It will do 2 things; help with insertion and a bit of corrosion protection. Also, put the ball joint in the freezer the day before you do this job. In my case, freezing combined with greasing let the ball joint nearly fall into the arm with little to no pressure.

Eventually I do plan on removing the entire UCA to also replace the bushings, but with how the LC is driving my main concern is just the ball joint, especially so I can get it properly aligned. Appreciate the tips!

 

[TexLexican]

Definitely follow the freezer advice…

 

[TexLexican]

Wave, if time allows, I would go ahead and replace the bushings while you’re in there. I wish I had while replacing the ball joints.

 

[whitec13]

I will also put this out there, the 555 complete UCAs are pretty damn good quality and are about $75 each. I have those on both sides now.

 

[toyotawave]

Wave, if time allows, I would go ahead and replace the bushings while you’re in there. I wish I had while replacing the ball joints.

I would if the steering wheel wasn’t vibrating at higher speeds lol, trying to get this done ASAP.

I will also put this out there, the 555 complete UCAs are pretty damn good quality and are about $75 each. I have those on both sides now.

Good to know, I considered just replacing them with OEM until I saw the price tag