upper ball joints

[Dondell]

I need to replace my ball joints. Lowers look easy, but the uppers seem more difficult. I'm thinking about taking the (upper control arm?) off..and taking them to my buddies to have him pound out the ubj's out and new ones in….does this sound like a good idea?….also…who has the best deals on oem toyota ball joints?

 

[JBurt]

I think camelback toyota has the best online prices. If you're going local and you're a costco member there is a good chance you can get 15% off your order.

As for the uppers, unless they look really bad I'd just leave them. They don't see anywhere near the stress as the lowers. I've only seen one failed upper on the internet and it was a newly replace cheap aftermarket one.

 

[Dondell]

ya…except..my passenger side upper is wonky. so it has to be replaced. I would like to replace all four, and never have to worry again...

 

[JBurt]

I don't know if I would say I'd never worry about ball joints again. Google 4runner ball joint failure. It'll keep you up at night. But you should be good for 70k at least.

You can rent a ball joint press but if you've got a friend willing to help that's not a bad way to go either.

 

[JEL]

+1 on camelback. I also did all fours recently, take the knuckle off and have them pressed in, I've seen guys wreck perfectly good front end parts doing the hammer method, seems hit or miss. Uppers are a PITA, but my driver's side one was looking ragged so I swapped them all out. Drives like a brand new truck. While you're poking around, check on the condition of the inner and outer tie rods as well.

The lowers may need replacing again, depending on your mileage, but a new set of uppers will probably outlast the motor at this point, although these things do seem to run for quite a while.

 

[nissanh]

The top joints stay good for a while. Just get the lower ones replaced. YES Camel back is the way to go.