Questions concerning replacing balljoints and control arm bushings

[Seanz0rz]

so i have 4 new ball joints, and 8 new bushings on their way! over 500 dollars in parts from northridge toyota.

so i have a few questions, hopefully someone can help me out.

in replacing the ball joints, should i rent/buy a ball joint press to remove the old BJ's? or would a pickle fork do just fine?

in replacing the bushings, do i need to have a press to remove/install the bushings, or can this be achieved with a little brute force from a hammer and wood block?

im sure ill have other questions as i think about this all. planning on doing this wednesday the 7th.

any other tips from those that have done this? an alignment is in order as soon as bolt it all back up. im also replacing the steering rack bushings while i am in there. i have the fsm, but would appreciate any practical tips! thanks!

[reggie 00]

Just a thought mainly because i dont have the same Gen 4Runner...

But i popped my ball joints off fine with a air driven fork, but even if you did damage them its not bog deal right your replacing them right?

When i have done bushings in the past i have used sockets and the big Vise in the garage. Even if that doesn't look promising a good auto parts machine shop should charge to much to pop old ones and press the new ones back in.

[AxleIke]

I recommend buying a ball joint puller like this

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/01700-01799/01752.gif

Not sure on third gens, but if they are like the early trucks, you won't have a prayer without a press.

[Seanz0rz]

thanks for the input about the press. looks like ill be spending some of that x-mas money on a 12 ton shop press. been wanting a good reason to buy one, looks like i got it! and this way i can do all the other bushings on the rear suspension when they need it, and press on and off my bearings on my rear axles!

any other input?

[corax]

in replacing the ball joints, should i rent/buy a ball joint press to remove the old BJ's? or would a pickle fork do just fine?
get the press that AxleIke mentioned - you can pick one up at HF for $5 - a BFH on the side of the arm the balljoint goes into also works to shock the tapered part loose

in replacing the bushings, do i need to have a press to remove/install the bushings, or can this be achieved with a little brute force from a hammer and wood block?
I usually have to burn out the rubber and use a hacksaw blade to cut through the outter metal sleeve (releases the tension and lets it contract a bit so it can fall out) - just make sure you don't cut into the bore it slides into. When you go to press or whack teh new bushing in make sure it's lubed with either anti-seize or MP grease (it's not how hard you push, but how well it's lubed). Also anti-seize the through bolts so they don't seize in the bushing sleeve . . . you'll thank yourself later.

any other tips from those that have done this? an alignment is in order as soon as bolt it all back up. im also replacing the steering rack bushings while i am in there. i have the fsm, but would appreciate any practical tips! thanks!
Do you have to press the ball joints out of the control arm or does the ball joint body (not the tapered part) bolt onto the control arm?

Bushings are usually not fun, just make sure you start them going in square and don't mushroom the outer sleeve when driving them in.

[Seanz0rz]

balljoints must be pressed out, at least according to the FSM.

ill lube them up real good. im trying to avoid spending 150 on a press (even though i would use it for other stuff, i dont really have a place for it right now.) hopefully i can press it in with a vise or a couple of well placed c clamps.

thanks guys!

[Seanz0rz]

ok so i have the entire right side pulled apart, having alot of problems getting the old bushings out. toyota says to collapase the lip that is on the outer side to drive them straight through. much easier said than done...

any other ideas?

[Scooter25]

Just dremel off the lip if you have new bushings.

[Seanz0rz]

yeah, dremel takes too long, used a 3 inch air cutoff tool. fricken nightmare i tell you! basically the problem was no good way to cut off the old lip with out alot of beating on it. i finally just took an air chisel to it and got them out, right side is just awaiting the upper BJ to be pressed in, then it can all be put back together.

then the left side, that should be fun! at least i will sort of have an idea of how to do stuff. ok, off to bed with me, up at 6 to start working on it again.

[20005spd]

replacing the lower control arm bushings IS a bitch. i did it on my right side since they were frozen and i couldnt align it. it took a long time with an air hammer. theres just no good way to set it up on a press :shake:

[Seanz0rz]

ill post up my full report sometime during the week, basically not something a home mechanic should ever attempt. im in way over my head and im having to be creative in using the tools i have, and buying what i absolutely need. im sure a shop would charge well over 1500 to do this for me, and i simply dont have that kind of money sitting around. as it is, the bushings and balljoints are my birthday and x-mas present!

ok, breakfast is finished, back to work.

[Seanz0rz]

all done! finished at 836 pst tonight, it was 32 degrees. i worked for a few hours friday evening, from 9-8 yesterday, and about 10-9 today. im exhausted. i have an apt for front end alignment first thing in the morning.

i ended up replacing both outer tie rod ends, the boots were basically just shredded rubber, and there was little to no grease left in them. i also took this opportunity to replace the steering rack bushings with the poly kit i picked up a few months ago.

installing new parts was a breeze. had to find some tool to press in the upper BJ's. went to home depot, found some pipe fittings that worked, and they worked great! maybe ill post up about that later.

for people who will search and find this thread: this is NOT a DIY weekend job. i had to get very creative with tools, and used just about everything i had that could have possibly helped. things like removing the upper ball joints from the steering knuckle was accomplished rather easily with a ball joint puller and a hammer, oh and a 1/2 inch black iron pipe to keep the ball joint and puller inline. other things, like removing the lower bushings, requires some skill with a cut off wheel and a big pair of vice grips. basically, everything was just HARD, especially removing stuff. putting new parts in went smoothly, but i still wouldnt consider it "easy". i highly recommend taking it to a professional shop, someone who has some experience with this stuff. im hearing that toyota expects 6 hours of labor per side with the proper tools. (someone confirm this for me?) parts alone for this project are around 680, thats 4 upper bushings, 4 lower bushings, 2 upper BJs, 2 lower BJs, 2 tie rod ends, and a steering rack bushing kit. factor in 12 hours of labor at 80 dollars/hour, it could get quite expensive.

i will let you all know tomorrow or tuesday if it was worth it. ive been having alot of steering wheel play, and generally loose front end feel. i also think this may have fixed my leaning issue on the right side (this from looking at where the UCA's sit at ride height).

[Chaplain]

This makes it a snap.
http://www.chaosfab.com/product/accessories/tacotund/96005.jpg

Can be found at chaosfab.com for under $20.