Ok, what's the easy, go-to trick for installing upper ball joints on one of these things?
Parts store ball joint press fittings interfere with the upright, can't get the thing lined up straight, and depending on which combination of parts and spacers looks promising, hope dashed soon thereafter as not enough space, blah blah blah.
I assume there's a "toyota specific" tool for it, but anything else that works, like maybe a couple of long sockets and a c-clamp or something? A place to rent the "toyota tool"? Harbor Freight magic?
Nobody on this board has replaced these?
Good 4runner forums?
I presume this is the one with the ball joint is in the knuckle? You have removed it from the vehicle? Getting it out probably just involves a hammer and a good vice. If you are trying to do it all in place, you probably need a good ball joint press and a second set of hands.
Presses in at the top of the spindle assembly, which attaches to the upper A-arm.
The spindle assembly curves just enough to interfere with the parts-store-rental-ball-joint-press fittings lining up to push it straight in.
This should be a simple job, but as always, without the right tool, it's taking ridiculous amounts of time to make no progress.
Never done one, but it looks like you have to put the threaded part of the tool on the stud end, meaning you may have to get inventive with your rigging. And, obviously, have the knuckle out on the workbench.
That or get it hot with a torch and drop it in without a press. Need to work fast with this method so it doesn't grab the ball joint before it is seated.
Hmmm, didn't think about upside down, but I think the fittings are directional (i.e. the fittings with lips that hold the other fittings in place, or to push on, don't appear interchangeable).
But, as long as the fitting that pushes the ball joint in doesn't get slippage from misalignment and pop out, squeezing is squeezing.
I'll give that a shot.
In reply to OldGray320i (Forum Supporter) :
They are reasonably interchangable with OTC presses.
The hard part will be inventing a mandrel long enough to not push on the stud, which will destroy the joint.
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
The kit seems to have enough attachments - as long as the fittings can be manipulated this way and that, not too worried about chingering the stud ( famous last words...).
