Help me with upper ball joint

[freshley]

I'm replacing my upper ball joints and upper a arm and the a arm was easier than I thought but I can't figure out how to get the upper ball joint out. I've tried beating on it but it's not moving. I have a ball joint press but I don't have room for the screw Part on the top because I don't want to remove the brake line so I'm limited home much I can move things because of the brake line. Anyone have pictures showing how to do it?

 

[mtbtim]

There's a snap ring that holds it in place. You have to remove the snap ring first before you can press it out. Maybe there is some dirt and grease covering the ring and that's why you didn't spot it.

 

[MandAtaco]

I've always used a C style ball joint press. I dropped the lower a-arm as low as it will go and you should have enough room. An extra set of hands is helpful to get all the adapters and stuff in there too.

And as mentioned, remove the c clip.

 

[freshley]

Thanks for reminding me about that snap ring I forgot all about it. Still can't get it out from just beating o it. I'm soaking it with kroil so hopefully in the morning I g it will pop out. Anyone have good way to get them out?

 

[mtbtim]

I don't know if this will help you but here's some specific instructions I have for some OTC tools I bought to replace my upper ball joints.

https://www.otctools.com/sites/default/files/538622.pdf

 

[Joe Z]

I just did my upper ball joints and to make the job much easier you need these two free loaner tools (both are a must)

1) Ball Joint/ U press
2)Four wheel drive ball joint adapter set
Both are on this page

Rental Tools | O'Reilly Auto Parts

If you decide to get them you have to leave them a deposit for the price of the tools..... when you bring it back it's completely refunded credit card/ cash

 

[freshley]

Thanks for all your help guys. I tried using the press. Ore like the Instructions you Li nked to and after some wrenching it popped out. Hope I can get the new one in as easy and the other side is easier. I will take pictures of the other side to show everyone.

 

[soupkitchen]

i went thru all of those tools when I did mine....easiest thing to do is remove the snap ring then take and angle grinder and trim right around the base then hit with a hammer..should come right out.

My first side took me forever to figure out, second side literally 5 mins to remove by using just a grinder and hammer. good luck!

 

[Joe Z]

There was a youtube video somewhere and i can't find it. It said, going back in be very careful to be sure it is going in straight.
Second side was much easier after i got the process down.

 

[Joe Z]

i went thru all of those tools when I did mine....easiest thing to do is remove the snap ring then take and angle grinder and trim right around the base then hit with a hammer..should come right out.

My first side took me forever to figure out, second side literally 5 mins to remove by using just a grinder and hammer. good luck!

That's a good tip, I have to remember that.
Did you use those tools to put it back in or did you do something different?

 

[St Runner]

Throw the upper ball joint in the freezer overnight, make sure there is no burrs or rust in the hole and it should go in easier. Having said that, I had to pull the upper control arm off and put it on a press to get them in and out on my tacoma

 

[Joe Z]

That works ( the freezer part is a neat trick)....thanks

 

[November Sun]

I just did my upper ball joints, ended up grinding the top of the ball joint off and used the c press rented from O'Rileys, I ended up using the press in conjunction with a 27 mm socket in place of the supplied piece. Also used a 2 ft breaker bar, when it finally popped out i threw it across the street into a field, I was pumped. Now if I could only get the new snap ring retainer back in for the SPC UCA's.

 

[soupkitchen]

That's a good tip, I have to remember that.
Did you use those tools to put it back in or did you do something different?

I did new tubular uppers so i just used my impact to pull the new joint thru. Hardest for me was definitely just getting the old one out.

 

[gamefreakgc]

There was a youtube video somewhere and i can't find it. It said, going back in be very careful to be sure it is going in straight.
Second side was much easier after i got the process down.

Yeah if you freeze it then it has enough wiggle that if you are off a little bit it will straighten out. I did not use a press to get mine back in, just the rental clamps the rest mentioned. I was off a few degrees but just torqued it a bit more and then sat flush.