Hey people. I'm replacing a a lower front suspension arm, because it is worn out. I tried for about an hour to remove the ball joint, with no luck. I have a remover with a little fork and a bolt that you wind into an opposing fork. Cranked on it pretty hard. Ended up just removing the whole a-arm with the ball joint still attached. Ball joint feels ok. Moves nicely with minimal play. Boot is still good. Any tips? or should I just go to Toyota and get a new one? Truck is a 1990 pickup with 22re.
Removing ball joint from suspension arm
- Thread starter jgranthevagrant
- Start date
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IIRC I used the BFH method to remove my uppers. I only had a 16 oz hammer so it took me 3-5 good hits with the hammer. But it came off without a pickle fork or any other shim/pry tools. I try to avoid brute strength cuz i dont wanna break stuff, but those arms are tough enough to hold up to thousands of pounds of force, just hit it. When selecting the hammer, make sure its smooth so it wont rough things up.
If you 4wd a lot, just replace both sides (same part number) and keep your old ones as trail spares. Thats what I did.
I hope that helps a little.
If you 4wd a lot, just replace both sides (same part number) and keep your old ones as trail spares. Thats what I did.
I hope that helps a little.
- Thread starter
- #3
ball joint removal.
Yeah, I was going to try the BFH method next. I think it will mushroom the threaded end, but I can use it as a trail spare. I was also thinking of trying a propane torch on the a-arm. Canadian salt and more than 10 winters have it pretty stuck on there.
Yeah, I was going to try the BFH method next. I think it will mushroom the threaded end, but I can use it as a trail spare. I was also thinking of trying a propane torch on the a-arm. Canadian salt and more than 10 winters have it pretty stuck on there.
Maybe I misunderstood, but if you just cranked on the tool and didn't give it a few good smacks with a hammer while pressure was applied it won't work very well. Be careful tho, I've had them shoot halfway across my shop.
If you did, then disregard this post.
If you did, then disregard this post.
- Thread starter
- #5
I cranked on the tool and smacked it. I was worried it would break. Ended up putting the a-arm on a block of wood and hitting the ball joint stud with a 4 pound hammer. Took about 10 whacks before the ball joint came loose. Then I had to file down the mushroom for about 30 mins. I will re-use the old joint for a while, and then replace all 4 when I do a bit of a lift.