Upper Ball Joint Removal Issues

Discussion in 'Suspension/Chassis' started by Henry, Dec 3, 2019.

  1. Henry

    Henry Enthusiast

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    I've removed the top bolts, and the lower nut and pin. I've tried all the normal techniques (hammer, bigger hammer, heat, pb blaster, etc) but it won't budge. I also tried using the bottle jack from the truck, but it doesn't fit perfect between the control arms, so I tried using it offset on the lower control arm with a little pressure but gave up.

    Any tricks you guys have used to remove these? I hit a small pothole at full lock going into a parking lot which ended up tearing the boot and dumping grease everywhere. Hopefully something isn't bent. Haha

    I also have a replacement for the lower as well.
     
  2. Justin Danger

    Justin Danger Toyotaholic

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    what year truck?
     
  3. jetas

    jetas Grand Toyotaholic

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    You could always use a Pickle fork.
     
  4. Henry

    Henry Enthusiast

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    1977
     
  5. Perkolator

    Perkolator Toyotaholic

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    I prefer those jaw puller thingies that are made for this. I think on my 75 I used the medium size version from harbor freight
     
  6. jetas

    jetas Grand Toyotaholic

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    Mine had the originals installed on it when i went to replace them, had to cut the stud off and hammer the shit out
     
  7. Henry

    Henry Enthusiast

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    Just rented one from the auto part store. Hopefully this does the trick. They didn't have the jaw puller thing Perkolator mentioned, but we'll see what happens.
     
  8. Henry

    Henry Enthusiast

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    You had to cut off the threaded portion?
     
  9. jetas

    jetas Grand Toyotaholic

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    Yea. Damn thing wouldnt budge any other way
     
  10. Henry

    Henry Enthusiast

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    Ouch. I considered doing that but it looks like the pickle fork worked. Eventually had to hit it with a sledge hammer. Haha
     
  11. jetas

    jetas Grand Toyotaholic

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    They were completely shot so i was already going to change them out so it didnt matter
     
  12. Perkolator

    Perkolator Toyotaholic

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    Auto parts store didn't have the jaw puller version? That's weird, they usually have a 3 size kit of them. Pickle forks work great too but in my experience easily damage the joint boots, so maybe not the best choice when reusing parts.

    Glad you got it off though
     
  13. Henry

    Henry Enthusiast

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    Yeah they didn't have one and I know you can buy them for cheap at Harbor Freight, but that's an hour away from me.

    My upper ball joint was damaged already so I wasn't worried about damaging it when I remove it. I should pickup one of the jaw pullers for the future. I'd like to replace the otherside soon.
     

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