Best method to remove UBJs out of the UCA..

[LittleCaesar]

I want to remove the knuckle. My left front bearing is on its way out, and I will just let the Toyota indy shop press the old one out and in as well as the bearing.

If there is any gripe I have with the 4runner, the sealed bearings are it. This is the only remaining original bearing and now it is dead at 100xxx. :crybaby:

I have pickle forks at hand, and the ability to get a C-clamp press with spacers, but did not know if some had another way, even if it jethroed so to speak, to get it out.

 

[Baja Runner]

I remember with the upper ball joint, I used a 2-prong gear puller. It took a bit of work, and a lot of tension on it. Once I got the puller really really tight, I took a sledge and whacked it on the top and the ball joint finally pulled out of the UCA. I don't know if that helps but it can be done with less than ideal tools :/

 

[J-money$$$]

the upper ball joint is really easy to get off the uca. Most people make the mistake of beating on the balljoint shaft sticking up on the top of the uca. This really doesnt do anything. You need to first take the nut off the upper ball joint. THen take a hammer and hit the upper control arm upwards. Its a little awkward to swing the hammer up. It should only take a few hits and the ball joint should come right off the uca. You can do this with the tire off, and with weight still on the LCA. I found it easier to hit the uca from the bottom if it wasnt fully drooped. So i used the floor jack under the LCA to get some weigh on it. The upper control arm is not load bearing so you are safe to do that.

If you happen to have a stubborn one. the the pickel fork is you last chance. Keep in mind that will ruin the ball joint so you will need to buy new Upper ball joints.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Thanks. I will be giving this a try before Thanksgiving. I will also be removing a friend's father's upper and ball joints on a Dodge Ram with a C clamp puller, so I will have that at my disposal if need be. I did get a new upper ball joint, but I myself will not be putting in, no 20 ton press in my garage.

Cheers,

 

[theizzardking]

off topic but this thread keeps messing with my head, in my tabs it keeps just showing up as

"BEST METH"

and if you've ever read the fsr thread, i go to some strange places on the net and keep wondering wtf this thread is, clicked on it at least 10 times today, haha

anyways best of luck on the work and let us know how it goes for you, i'm looking to do this further down the road as well.

 

[Baja Runner]

Well I should have noted that the last time I removed the upper ball joints was in 2004 in my 96 4runner, so I am a little hazy on the details.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I have found that there is an articulating ball joint remover that opens to a max of 6 1/2"s, kind of similar to a pair of scissors but with a threaded rod in the middle. My friend 100 miles away has one, says he will send it in the mail, but I am not holding my breath for that one. I know the pickle fork will work, but I want to use it only as a last ditch effort. I will go with J money's idea first.

Thanks to all....

 

[J-money$$$]

Im telling you it works I just replaced my old uca's with some "new" old ones. The bushings on mine came apart and i found a used set cheaper than fixing the bushings.

I used a pickel fork when i replaced my upper balljoints years ago, but in this case I didnt want to screw up the ball joints