Tool Research for Upper Ball Joint Replacement

[mtbtim]

Hey Dudes,

Since I like any reason to buy more tools, I did some research for tools to remove and replace upper ball joints on our trucks. I just replaced my lower ball joints this morning with the help of [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] (video coming soon), but since my uppers showed no signs of play and they aren't known as a problem like the lowers are, I didn't replace them just yet.

I've bought several tools from the OTC company and they seem to be of a fairly good quality for the price. So, I researched OTC for tools to do the upper ball joints.

The link to the pdf file below shows you all the tools you need to do the job. It's a 2 page document and the information for our 4runners is on page 2. https://www.otctools.com/sites/default/files/538622.pdf

After I did a search for all the part numbers, I found an online tool seller that had all the parts and also had the lowest prices. The seller is Coastal Tool Supply Coastal Tool Supply The only problem with Coastal is they were quite slow in getting me all the parts. It's been a month since I ordered the parts and I just got a package with most of the tools today and they told me another package with the last two tools is on it's way. So, they delivered but not very quick. I wasn't in any rush, so it wasn't a big deal to me. And, maybe the delay was on OTC's end and not there's.

Below shows all the part numbers and what I paid:

OTC-538591 Adapter, Removing $20.89
OTC-38354 Receiving Cup $24.38
OTC-314392 Plug $9.55
OTC-38355A Installing Cup $25.25
OTC-313968 Remover $10.43
OTC-7249 Ball Joint Service Set $104.35
Shipping: Standard Shipping:
Sales Tax:
Total:
$8.95
$0.00
$203.80

I decided to buy the OTC 7249 Ball Joint Service Kit because it wasn't much more than buying the tools that the kit contained separately.

Anyway, I know this isn't for everyone because it's fairly expensive and you could probably just rent everything you need from O'Reilly or Auto Zone to do your upper ball joints when the time comes. But, I like owning my own tools, and if you're like me, maybe you can benefit from this research.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

I just did mine renting the tools because they were so expensive to buy. I love owning and acquiring tools as well, but couldn't justify the price for how much I would be using them. Seems like each manufacturer has a different adapter set, although some don't need any adapters.

 

[mtbtim]

I just did mine renting the tools because they were so expensive to buy. I love owning and acquiring tools as well, but couldn't justify the price for how much I would be using them. Seems like each manufacturer has a different adapter set, although some don't need any adapters.

I'm curious, did you replace your uppers because they had play or damaged boots, or was it simply a piece of mind sort of replacement? I didn't think I would pull the trigger on buying these tools but I went into a tool buying spree recently and just went hog wild.

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Good choice on the OTC kit.... OTC makes some of the best specialty tools on the market. I rate them up there with snap-op which is my preference on all things tools and OTC my second. :thumb3:

 

[csp]

There's no substitute for the Snap On BJP-1 ball joint press. At $700+ you will pay dearly for it, but anyone in a production shop will praise this tool vs any other brand.

I was extremely lucky and scored one for $135 at a farm auction.

The OTC is a good option for most people and it's a quality brand.

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

There's no substitute for the Snap On BJP-1 ball joint press. At $700+ you will pay dearly for it, but anyone in a production shop will praise this tool vs any other brand.

I was extremely lucky and scored one for $135 at a farm auction.

The OTC is a good option for most people and it's a quality brand.

Making me feel Guilty on my mistake 10 years ago :wave: but it paid for itself in a couple years he he

 

[stir_fry_boy]

I'm curious, did you replace your uppers because they had play or damaged boots, or was it simply a piece of mind sort of replacement? I didn't think I would pull the trigger on buying these tools but I went into a tool buying spree recently and just went hog wild.

I replaced mine as preventative, and I was in the area doing upper control arm bushings. All I had to do is press out the old one and press in the new one at that stage. Never been done at 205k miles.

 

[mtbtim]

I replaced mine as preventative, and I was in the area doing upper control arm bushings. All I had to do is press out the old one and press in the new one at that stage. Never been done at 205k miles.

Gotcha. I was thinking I would change my uppers around that mileage unless I detect something before that point. My lowers were tight and the boots were intact at 140,000 miles. No detectable play at all, but since it's not clear people with lower failures had a tell-tale sign before it happened, I decided to change mine like many other have as preventative maintenance and piece of mind.

I sort of think the ball joint failure, just like the pink milkshake is much more rare than we think. Being on the Toyota forums definitely doesn't help our paranoia on these potential failures. I personally know of one guy who had a lower ball joint failure but his 3rd Gen had close to 350,000 miles on it and he drove quite a bit off-road. Anyway, for $200 I bought myself some piece of mind by changing the lowers on my rig.

 

[mtbtim]

There's no substitute for the Snap On BJP-1 ball joint press. At $700+ you will pay dearly for it, but anyone in a production shop will praise this tool vs any other brand.

I was extremely lucky and scored one for $135 at a farm auction.

The OTC is a good option for most people and it's a quality brand.

Yeah, Snap On is definitely at the price point that you would have to be a paid mechanic to get your money's worth out of it. My OTC set will pay for itself after one use. You definitely scored on grabbing those at that farm auction.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I just did mine renting the tools because they were so expensive to buy. I love owning and acquiring tools as well, but couldn't justify the price for how much I would be using them. Seems like each manufacturer has a different adapter set, although some don't need any adapters.

I feel the same way. When it's a specialized tool, I'd rather rent than buy it. I did rent the thread restorer kit from O'Reilly's and then chose to buy my own. They were selling the kit for over $90. I found it online for $60. It's good and I've used it a few times since.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

Tim, I wanted to post up a big "Thank You" for the help you have provided through your videos and your forum advice. It has helped me and probably countless others. It is appreciated!!

P.S. Maybe you'd like to take your rear diff e-locker apart and rebuild it, with a complete video on the process? Lol. (See my other threads for the reference)

 

[mtbtim]

Tim, I wanted to post up a big "Thank You" for the help you have provided through your videos and your forum advice. It has helped me and probably countless others. It is appreciated!!

P.S. Maybe you'd like to take your rear diff e-locker apart and rebuild it, with a complete video on the process? Lol. (See my other threads for the reference)

If I only had a locker, I just might. I didn't learn about the coveted locker option until after I bought my rig. But, maybe I'll do a swap one day. Thanks for the kind words Shooter.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

I sort of think the ball joint failure, just like the pink milkshake is much more rare than we think. Being on the Toyota forums definitely doesn't help our paranoia on these potential failures. I personally know of one guy who had a lower ball joint failure but his 3rd Gen had close to 350,000 miles on it and he drove quite a bit off-road. Anyway, for $200 I bought myself some piece of mind by changing the lowers on my rig.

Couldn't agree more with this ^^^

 

[JayRolla]

Couldn't agree more with this ^^^

I have had a ball joint failure. My buddy has had two ball joint failures and one was a new OEM we installed. I have personally seen a Taco, 2 4runners and the other day a Tundra with failed ball joint just sitting on the side of the road. Just type failed ball joint into google without any toyota and 90% of the pictures will be Yota's including even Toyota and Lexus cars with failures. NTM my local dealer said they get lots of orders for ball joints. LOL.

 

[soupkitchen]

hey man, I bought the 3 and 2 jaw pullers, and already had an otc kit...no luck!

the win is an angle grinder around the base of the ball joint after you remove the snap ring...then a good whack or two with a hammer...it'll pop right out.

The other two methods above nearly killed me, sketchy as hell as mine did not want to come out...truck was from chicago in its early life so may be the reason why.

Good luck man!!

 

[D Farms]

buy a decent press and a lathe.

 

[mtbtim]

I have had a ball joint failure. My buddy has had two ball joint failures and one was a new OEM we installed. I have personally seen a Taco, 2 4runners and the other day a Tundra with failed ball joint just sitting on the side of the road. Just type failed ball joint into google without any toyota and 90% of the pictures will be Yota's including even Toyota and Lexus cars with failures. NTM my local dealer said they get lots of orders for ball joints. LOL.

How many miles were on that OEM one you guys installed before it failed? Is the truck lifted with heavier tires, rims and aftermarket front bumper? Was the truck taken off-road a lot? Hearing this makes me think it's just a total crap shoot if it's going to happen to you and even replacing them doesn't give you any extra insurance you're not going to be a victim of this failure.

 

[JayRolla]

How many miles were on that OEM one you guys installed before it failed? Is the truck lifted with heavier tires, rims and aftermarket front bumper? Was the truck taken off-road a lot? Hearing this makes me think it's just a total crap shoot if it's going to happen to you and even replacing them doesn't give you any extra insurance you're not going to be a victim of this failure.

Yeah, we where a little pissed off it happened. It literally happened when he was coming off a curb about 10k miles after installed. Maybe it was tq'ed incorrectly or something but it did fail. Dealer he bought them from just wanted the mileage installed, mileage failed and gave him a new one.

Its a 4runner with bumpers thats lifted and yes its used offroad.

 

[mtbtim]

Yeah, we where a little pissed off it happened. It literally happened when he was coming off a curb about 10k miles after installed. Maybe it was tq'ed incorrectly or something but it did fail. Dealer he bought them from just wanted the mileage installed, mileage failed and gave him a new one.

Its a 4runner with bumpers thats lifted and yes its used offroad.

That definitely shouldn't have happened regardless of it being lifted and used off-road. Now if you were doing Dukes of Hazard jumps with the truck, that's a different story.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

the win is an angle grinder around the base of the ball joint after you remove the snap ring...then a good whack or two with a hammer...it'll pop right out.

This ^^^. I used a die grinder and it took off the post in about 30 seconds, then pop out the snap ring and press out. Easy peasy.