User Tag List

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 03-18-2021, 01:14 PM #1
goose17's Avatar
goose17 goose17 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 23
goose17 is on a distinguished road
goose17 goose17 is offline
Junior Member
goose17's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 23
goose17 is on a distinguished road
Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008

Hello,
I recently purchased a 2008 with low miles and have been fixing it up. I was planning on replacing the lower ball joints, but I can't find adapters to fit my vehicle. I contacted a manufacturer and they said if they don't have them it's either because you have to replace the control arm or they're bolt on. I have the ball joints already, so I know they are not bolt on. I brought the vehicle from the rust belt to AZ and I didn't want to mess with replacing the control arms.
Has anyone ever replaced the lower ball joints on a 2008?

Thank you
__________________
2000 4Runner Limited 4x2 - Sold
2006 4Runner Sport 4x4 - Sold
2016 4Runner TRD Pro - Sold
2006 4Runner Sport 4x4 - Praying for frame recall - Sold
2008 4Runner Sport 4x4 - Sold
goose17 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-18-2021, 03:22 PM #2
firebirdguy firebirdguy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: iowa
Posts: 905
firebirdguy is a glorious beacon of light firebirdguy is a glorious beacon of light firebirdguy is a glorious beacon of light firebirdguy is a glorious beacon of light firebirdguy is a glorious beacon of light
firebirdguy firebirdguy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: iowa
Posts: 905
firebirdguy is a glorious beacon of light firebirdguy is a glorious beacon of light firebirdguy is a glorious beacon of light firebirdguy is a glorious beacon of light firebirdguy is a glorious beacon of light
have you checked the ball joint press toools for rent at auto parts stores, should be the right adapter in there or maybe use a socket of the right size to press them out, or take to a local shop.

have you confirmed they are actually bad & need to be replaced? you mentioned low miles so just curious if/how you confirmed they are bad. i have an 08 sport with 150k miles & the ball joints are fine.
firebirdguy is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-18-2021, 03:54 PM #3
goose17's Avatar
goose17 goose17 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 23
goose17 is on a distinguished road
goose17 goose17 is offline
Junior Member
goose17's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 23
goose17 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by firebirdguy View Post
have you checked the ball joint press toools for rent at auto parts stores, should be the right adapter in there or maybe use a socket of the right size to press them out, or take to a local shop.

have you confirmed they are actually bad & need to be replaced? you mentioned low miles so just curious if/how you confirmed they are bad. i have an 08 sport with 150k miles & the ball joints are fine.
It has low miles (101k), but the previous owners did not take good care of it.
The CV axle boots are torn on both sides and they are puking grease. I am going to replace them with aftermarket Cardone Heavy Duty axles. It looks like the ball joints are leaking too, so I was going to replace those at the same time. After a closer look though, it might just be the grease from the CV axles getting on the ball joints. I'll take a closer look once I get everything taken apart and if needed, get a quality press kit with a lot of attachments and try to get them out.
Thanks
__________________
2000 4Runner Limited 4x2 - Sold
2006 4Runner Sport 4x4 - Sold
2016 4Runner TRD Pro - Sold
2006 4Runner Sport 4x4 - Praying for frame recall - Sold
2008 4Runner Sport 4x4 - Sold
goose17 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-18-2021, 04:04 PM #4
Drcoffee's Avatar
Drcoffee Drcoffee is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Somewhere, yet nowhere
Posts: 1,739
Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice
Drcoffee Drcoffee is offline
Senior Member
Drcoffee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Somewhere, yet nowhere
Posts: 1,739
Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice
Its the same process for FJC.

How I replaced lower ball joints on FJ | Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

I just did mine and got proforged LBJs at rockauto $25 each. Rent the big kit for ball joints. The smaller kit wont fit.
__________________
2007 4Runner Sport 4WD 4.0L 228,000 miles
The real stats on gun murders in America compared to the world (link)
Good riddance to the Clinton Crime Family--> I Voted TRUMP…how’s it going for you now Trump is gone? Be careful what you ask for. You may just get it.
Drcoffee is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-18-2021, 04:23 PM #5
goose17's Avatar
goose17 goose17 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 23
goose17 is on a distinguished road
goose17 goose17 is offline
Junior Member
goose17's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 23
goose17 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drcoffee View Post
Its the same process for FJC.

How I replaced lower ball joints on FJ | Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

I just did mine and got proforged LBJs at rockauto $25 each. Rent the big kit for ball joints. The smaller kit wont fit.
Cool, thanks. I did watch a YT video where they replaced the lower ball joints on a FJC. They didn't have the right size attachments for their press, so they torched it and hammered it out. It looked like more than I am willing/capable of doing. I will get the big kit and figure it out. I went with the MOOGs from RockAuto.
__________________
2000 4Runner Limited 4x2 - Sold
2006 4Runner Sport 4x4 - Sold
2016 4Runner TRD Pro - Sold
2006 4Runner Sport 4x4 - Praying for frame recall - Sold
2008 4Runner Sport 4x4 - Sold
goose17 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-18-2021, 04:49 PM #6
Drcoffee's Avatar
Drcoffee Drcoffee is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Somewhere, yet nowhere
Posts: 1,739
Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice
Drcoffee Drcoffee is offline
Senior Member
Drcoffee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Somewhere, yet nowhere
Posts: 1,739
Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice
You will need a strong breaker bar and floor jack handle about 4’ long to crank them off. But they will come out. I have done them twice now. Once on my 07 4runner and on a 07 FJC.

My mac impact gun would only go so far and then a long breaker bar to finally move them out. I did not use any heat either. Just brute force.

Sure beats replacing the lower control arm.
__________________
2007 4Runner Sport 4WD 4.0L 228,000 miles
The real stats on gun murders in America compared to the world (link)
Good riddance to the Clinton Crime Family--> I Voted TRUMP…how’s it going for you now Trump is gone? Be careful what you ask for. You may just get it.
Drcoffee is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-18-2021, 05:08 PM #7
goose17's Avatar
goose17 goose17 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 23
goose17 is on a distinguished road
goose17 goose17 is offline
Junior Member
goose17's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 23
goose17 is on a distinguished road
I have a 2 foot breaker bar and a new DeWalt impact wrench rated with 700 foot pounds of torque and 1,200 foot pounds of breakaway torque. I'm hoping it can make the job a lot easier, but it really depends on the rust.
__________________
2000 4Runner Limited 4x2 - Sold
2006 4Runner Sport 4x4 - Sold
2016 4Runner TRD Pro - Sold
2006 4Runner Sport 4x4 - Praying for frame recall - Sold
2008 4Runner Sport 4x4 - Sold
goose17 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-18-2021, 05:38 PM #8
y=mx+b's Avatar
y=mx+b y=mx+b is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Lafayette, IN
Posts: 1,032
y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of
y=mx+b y=mx+b is offline
Senior Member
y=mx+b's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Lafayette, IN
Posts: 1,032
y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of
I replaced mine when I rebuilt my LCAs, and have a writeup here: Whiteline Lower Control Arm Bushing Tutorial (120+ Pictures). My LCAs were out when I did mine, but its much easier to leave them in the frame, since they won't be wiggling all over the ground

The part on replacing the LBJs is below. The 23 piece ball joint press kit from advanced auto is the one you want to rent. The first LBJ, which is shown in the post, I removed with a breaker bar, and the second I removed with the HF Bauer Electric Impact. Much easier with the impact lol

Quote:
Originally Posted by y=mx+b View Post
Step 4: Remove Ball Joint | Return to Steps
To begin removing the ball joint, knock out the retainer ring, I used a screwdriver pushed into the clip opening. As corroded as this appears, it came out without issue. After this is removed, cover the ball joint connection in penetrating fluid and let it sit for a bit.
Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008

Next, get set up to press out the ball joint. The sleeve I used to fit over the old ball joint was 2-3/4"OD, 2-7/16"ID, and 2-1/4"L. I picked a fitting top hat that would allow the ball joint stem to poke through. The picture inside the sleeve should be extra big. The boot has been ripped off and hopefully the big picture will show how the sleeve needs to sit outside of the ball joint shoulder. It can't be on the shoulder for this step, because then both press sides would be on the ball joint.
Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008 Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008

Next, get the C-clamp press setup with some light pressure to hold everything together. Check that the ball joint stem is going through the hole and not bound against the top hat. The last picture shows how I set up to press it out. I had the LCA vertical, the ball joint press horizontal, and used an 18" breaker bar with a 22mm socket to turn the press. I just pushed the breaker bar with my hands to tighten up the press, using my weight to push down. I'm not really a big dude either, so this is certainly doable. An impact would definitely have made this easier, but at least we know it can be done with hand tools as well.
Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008 Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008 Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008

I heated it up a bunch with my propane torch and tightened the press as much as I could. The heat didn't really help me make much progress, until I gave it a light tap with the claw hammer shown. I was surprised, since it was a small hammer with a light hit, but the ball joint moved about 1/8-3/16" very suddenly. After that it was smooth sailing and it came out without any difficulty
Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008 Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008 Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008
Quote:
Originally Posted by y=mx+b View Post
Step 9: Press in New Ball Joint | Return to Steps
To start, I taped around my freshly painted LCA to prevent marring it up too much.
Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008

Next, select press tubes from the ball joint press kit that will be used to install. The 2-7/16"OD, 2-3/16"ID, 3-3/16"L press tube fit perfectly on the ball joint rim to push it in. The 2-1/8"OD, 1-3/4"ID, 1/2"L fit around the body of the ball joint and would sit on the top of the LCA to receive it. See this picture for the fitment of the pressing and receiving tube:
Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008 Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008

I greased the ball joint and mating surface with the same marine grease I've been using. I believe the lubrication helps the ball joint to straighten out if it gets a tad sideways on install.
Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008 Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008

Assembling everything into the press and tightening everything, the ball joint was starting to go in sideways. I over corrected the press to get the ball joint to re-center, which worked. The press could then be re-centered as well and everything was smooth sailing.
Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008 Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008

Once the ball joint is fully set into the LCA, there is a slot for a locking ring that will secure the ball joint from falling out. Tap it in as far as possible with a hammer, then use the hammer on a screwdriver to set it fully.
Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008 Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008 Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008 Lower Ball Joint Replacement 2008

Last edited by y=mx+b; 03-18-2021 at 05:56 PM.
y=mx+b is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-18-2021, 05:50 PM #9
Drcoffee's Avatar
Drcoffee Drcoffee is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Somewhere, yet nowhere
Posts: 1,739
Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice
Drcoffee Drcoffee is offline
Senior Member
Drcoffee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Somewhere, yet nowhere
Posts: 1,739
Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice Drcoffee is just really nice
Let me tell you. Its way easier to remove the ball joints before you remove the control arm.
__________________
2007 4Runner Sport 4WD 4.0L 228,000 miles
The real stats on gun murders in America compared to the world (link)
Good riddance to the Clinton Crime Family--> I Voted TRUMP…how’s it going for you now Trump is gone? Be careful what you ask for. You may just get it.
Drcoffee is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-18-2021, 05:55 PM #10
y=mx+b's Avatar
y=mx+b y=mx+b is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Lafayette, IN
Posts: 1,032
y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of
y=mx+b y=mx+b is offline
Senior Member
y=mx+b's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Lafayette, IN
Posts: 1,032
y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of y=mx+b has much to be proud of
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drcoffee View Post
Let me tell you. Its way easier to remove the ball joints before you remove the control arm.
Yeah that thought popped in my head right after I got the bushings out and there was no return lol

Last edited by y=mx+b; 03-18-2021 at 05:57 PM.
y=mx+b is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-18-2021, 09:18 PM #11
goose17's Avatar
goose17 goose17 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 23
goose17 is on a distinguished road
goose17 goose17 is offline
Junior Member
goose17's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 23
goose17 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by y=mx+b View Post
I replaced mine when I rebuilt my LCAs, and have a writeup here: Whiteline Lower Control Arm Bushing Tutorial (120+ Pictures). My LCAs were out when I did mine, but its much easier to leave them in the frame, since they won't be wiggling all over the ground

The part on replacing the LBJs is below. The 23 piece ball joint press kit from advanced auto is the one you want to rent. The first LBJ, which is shown in the post, I removed with a breaker bar, and the second I removed with the HF Bauer Electric Impact. Much easier with the impact lol
Thank you very much for that info!
__________________
2000 4Runner Limited 4x2 - Sold
2006 4Runner Sport 4x4 - Sold
2016 4Runner TRD Pro - Sold
2006 4Runner Sport 4x4 - Praying for frame recall - Sold
2008 4Runner Sport 4x4 - Sold
goose17 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply

Tags
ball , control , joints , lower , vehicle

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Lower Ball Joint Replacement bzettler83 4th Gen T4Rs 49 01-25-2021 06:22 AM
Upper Ball Joint/Lower ball joint replacement Tigerfan86 4th Gen T4Rs 1 03-03-2020 03:10 PM
Lower Ball Joint replacement or dust boot replacement help? dot_tom 5th gen T4Rs 7 01-11-2018 11:52 PM
Lower Ball Joint Replacement T4R916 4th Gen T4Rs 8 02-25-2016 12:34 PM
2003 Lower Control Arm/Lower Ball Joint replacement Wahoo96 4th Gen T4Rs 5 01-30-2015 02:16 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:38 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
***This site is an unofficial Toyota site, and is not officially endorsed, supported, authorized by or affiliated with Toyota. All company, product, or service names references in this web site are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. The Toyota name, marks, designs and logos, as well as Toyota model names, are registered trademarks of Toyota Motor Corporation***Ad Management plugin by RedTyger
 
Copyright © 2020