lower ball joint replacement tips

[Beagle(4)Runner]

Did a search but could not find any tips on doing a lower ball joint on my 99. Have done them on other vehicles, pretty straight forward but looking at the Haynes Manuel, it looks a little more involved. I was wondering if anyone had any tips or a link for "how 2" post. I will also be doing brakes and rotors at this time with my little brother who has done them before.

In reading the manuel, unclear as to whether or not I have to disconnect the lower end of the shock absorber to disconnect the steering knuckle.

Any suggestions/ tips will be appreciated.

 

[SamSter0077]

I did mine two nights ago, not bad at all. The only challenge was separating my Tie Rod ends from the Lower Ball joint. TAKE THE TIE ROD END OFF FIRST, then loosen the Ball joint, and the 4 bolts holding it onto the spindle. You might want to line up the new one with the 4 bolt holes before putting it on the lower A arm.

Mine is a 97, and the ball joints and tie rod ends were Factory.. I had to BEAT the tie rod ends (yes, I know that's bad) to get them off the old Ball joints. There is a write up here somewhere.. here it is : http://www.toyota-4runner.org/452271-post1.html

 

[Beagle(4)Runner]

Thanks that is exactly what I was looking for, Haynes Manuel makes it a lot more complicated. Will using a tie rod fork damage my current tie rod ends? Did you use the 4 original bolts or get new ones to reattach it to the steering spindle?

 

[Gerdo]

Will using a tie rod fork damage my current tie rod ends? Did you use the 4 original bolts or get new ones to reattach it to the steering spindle?

Most of the time the 4 bolts can and are re-used. Apply some blue locktite on the bolt threads.

The fork will probably ruin the tie rod end boot. replacements are junk so try not to destroy the boot. Another way to get the tie rod end off is to: loosen the tie rod end nut, while pulling down on the tie rod hit the side where the tie rod end goes into the lower ball joint connection. This will usually cause it to pop out. It may take a few good hits with a big hammer.

***You are hitting the part of the old lower ball joint where the tie rod end goes thru. You aren't going to damage anything. Even if you did, the part you are hitting is part of the lower ball joint.***

Note: DO NOT HIT ON THE THREADED STUD OF THE TIE ROD END!

 

[brian2sun]

You could just rent a tie rod puller too. If your going to smack the tie rod with a BFH, just back off the castle nut so you don't smash the threads. A puller will make it easier, sometimes (especially with 10+ year old components) you really have to hit it hard several times to get it to let go.

Don't mess with the shock bolt at all. Just the 4 bolts that hold the hub to the LBJ and you'll need a pickle fork to pop the LBJ off the lower control arm.

 

[Beagle(4)Runner]

Would Advanced Auto rent tie rod pullers? I have a pickle fork so I'm good with that one.

 

[SamSter0077]

Yes, I reused the same four bolts. Yes, I used a hammer on the threaded side of my tie rod end, yes I also destroyed the boot with a pickle fork. Don't use a pickle fork, smacking it with a hammer is ok BUT>>

Don't use the little castle nut, I had another one in the tool box that was the same thread that worked like a charm. The first one I did, I used the castle nut upside down and it managed to bend threads (or something) because it was hard to put back on when it was all done. The next side, I used the bigger nut I had laying around and when I was done, the castle nut went back on just like it came off. FYI - I had to Beat on it with the Big Ball Peen hammer to get it to pop out.. I am a big dude, and had to hit it pretty hard. Getting the right tool (Puller) might be the right thing to do if yours are as old as mine.

 

[SamSter0077]

Most of the time the 4 bolts can and are re-used. Apply some blue locktite on the bolt threads.
!

Now I gotta go back and put locktite on them.. GOOD IDEA!