Upper ball joint replacement tool subsitute

[flipty]

I'm about to do my lower and upper BJ's as well as wheel bearings on my 97 sr5. While I'm going to be having a shop press the hub and bearing in and out, I'm going to do the upper ball joint myself.

My question is more of a general one: I have several large impact sockets from previous vehicles for the axle nut. If one of those sockets are the proper size to use as a receiving cup with a c-clamp style ball joint press.... is that alright?

I feel like it ought to be, and the worst thing that could happen would be I bend or deform an axle socket I don't really need, but doesn't it seem like something that tough should be able to take the pressure?

I'm perfectly happy renting the 4WD kit from O'Reilly's to make this a non-issue, but I'm just sorta curious. Any engineers or professional wrenchers know if this is an OK thing to do?

 

[LittleCaesar]

If it will fit in the C clamp, then sure. If you are getting the bearing pressed out, I am guessing the knuckle will be off. Then you should have all sorts of leverage.

Even if it from the PRC the axle socket should be fine. I have used the front bearing press kit from Harbor Freight with no problems, as of yet...

 

[TheDurk]

I'm about to do my lower and upper BJ's as well as wheel bearings on my 97 sr5. While I'm going to be having a shop press the hub and bearing in and out, I'm going to do the upper ball joint myself.

My question is more of a general one: I have several large impact sockets from previous vehicles for the axle nut. If one of those sockets are the proper size to use as a receiving cup with a c-clamp style ball joint press.... is that alright?

I feel like it ought to be, and the worst thing that could happen would be I bend or deform an axle socket I don't really need, but doesn't it seem like something that tough should be able to take the pressure?

I'm perfectly happy renting the 4WD kit from O'Reilly's to make this a non-issue, but I'm just sorta curious. Any engineers or professional wrenchers know if this is an OK thing to do?

I did it that way, but using a vise, not a C-clamp. The socket wasn't deep enough on it's own, so I had to McGuyver a filler with a piece of steel I had around. You may have the same problem.

The socket was plenty strong, the other piece did deform but that was ok.

 

[flipty]

Yeah all my axle sockets are way deeper than that, probably 4" on average. Good to know!

 

[Acorn22]

Just going to throw it out there that a torch made a night and day difference for me when I was trying to get those UBJs in. Just a little heat made it much easier after I was messing with the c-clamp for about 45 minutes trying to tighten it with an impact.

 

[flipty]

Just going to throw it out there that a torch made a night and day difference for me when I was trying to get those UBJs in. Just a little heat made it much easier after I was messing with the c-clamp for about 45 minutes trying to tighten it with an impact.

I'm not anticipating trouble with the uppers. I've done (seemingly) more complicated BJ's in the past. Worst case I'll leave them in the knuckle and have the shop press them out and in but I am 95% sure I'll be able to do it with rented tools.