Proper jacking/stands location......

[skinnadoor]

Ok s"since buying my 4runner a few weeks ago, "My first truck by the way" i'm kinda stumped on where i should jack the front end up?

I want to change out my ball joints so where should i jack it up from?? the front axle housing??? and if i want to put jack stands under it where do i put those at???

this is friggin dumb but i'm new so bare with me.... a pic would help me alot.

I want to put jack stands under the front end, so i can remove both tires and do the ball joints...

 

[hodgepodge79]

I just did mine.
First, place the jack under the lower control arm (right under where the shock mounts) and jack it up till the wheel comes off the ground. Place a piece of 2x4 or other block between the upper control arm (UCA) and the bump stop, as seen here using brake pads.

After setting it up that way, I jack up the front end under the cross member and place jackstands at each end (just inward from where the lower control arms rotate). this leaves your jack free to be used under the control arm to raise and lower it in a controlled manner as you remove nuts and bolts.

The first time I did upper and lower balljoints (4yrs ago) I didn't place a block between the UCA and bump stop, and it took two hours to do one side! Now, it takes 1 hour to do both sides at an easy pace.

Good luck.

 

[skinnadoor]

Thanks hodge, i'm good to go now.....



cheers....

 

[skinnadoor]

Is the cross member the bar that has a bunch of holes in it...... that runs bewtween the 2 control arms ?

the oil pan is just above it.......

Wow i feel like a nooob...

Hey thanks for the help Hodge, wanted to be sure.....

 

[hodgepodge79]

That's the one.

Also, a tip for the lower ball joint, remove the four bolt that attach it to the knuckle, and allow the LCA to drop a bit (get the rotor and rotor-shield out of the way) and use a 3-jaw puller to get the ball joint stud out of its taper.
I have never been successful using pickle-forks on the lower bj.