Upper ball joints

So I got new tires today for the tacoma and was also going to get a front end alignment, but they said both my upper and lower ball joints was bad, and that I would also have to replace my control arms because the ball joint was built in. So I got my new tires and proceeded to oreilys. Had the lower ball joints but not the control arms said he would have to order them. Well when I got home I went ahead and tore into it, only to find that the ball joints are not built into the control arm. After some research it appears you can buy the control arm with a ball joint or the joint separately. I do need the joint separately but curious as to why this shows up like this?

 

No. Ball joints are seperate. You should do lca bushings since you tore it apart. Maybe tie rods too?

 

As mentioned, just buy the ball joints.

It is highly suggested you buy OEM lower ball joints (don't bother with the cheap stuff), or at the very least, 555 offered by Low Range offroad.

As for the lower control arms, some shops suggest replacing them because they're too lazy to replace the bushings. You could do that yourself.

Knock out the work as soon as possible so you don't go ruining your new tires.

 

Yes. This. Laziness. As a mechanic, most of us are flat rate so you get a lot of lazy guys that want the gravy. They Inspect the car, needs a ball joint but the ball joint only pays .8 hours where the control arm pays 2.0 hours (made up labor times) so most techs will say “ball joint not serviceable” and take out the two extra bolts and slap the control arm in etc, now they get paid for alignment they’ll usually fudge anyways. It’s a love hate relationship for me and my coworkers that is for sure haha.

 

More reason to do your own work. Invest in tools, start wrenching, and don't look back. There's good shops and mechanics but there's also plenty of bad ones. If you do your own work, you know you'll never get ripped off and you know the job will be done right.


https://www.youtube.com/embed/bfLvtEnX9qk


https://www.youtube.com/embed/-sY2azyLBuI

 

I would say upper ball joints aren't DIY, they are a safety item that can go wrong if installed in correctly.

I'd say if you DIY, change the upper arm, if you have a trusted mechanic, replace the ball joint.

 

What are you talking about? We're not talking about rebuilding a motor here. You can only install them one way and that is the correct way. Just because you don't feel you can do this job yourself doesn't mean others can't do it. This job is very much within the ability of anyone who is mildly mechanically inclined and has the necessary tools. Hell, you can rent a lot of the tools for free at auto parts stores like O'Reillys. I usually don't blast people on these forums but your advice is freaking horrible. You have over 4500 messages on this forum. I wonder what other crappy advice you've given people?

 

I'm a licensed Toyota tech and I've seen DIYer ball joints pop out from being installed incorrectly.

Not everyone is capable of pressing in ball joints properly, your youtube videos are helpful but its far more advanced that most people should be doing at home.

Relax its an opinion.

 

Well, you should stick to giving your customers shitty advice. You're obviously talking about morons who failed to get the snap ring installed correctly. Sorry, you're "advice" really freaking annoyed me. I'll say it again, this job is well within a DIYers ability. Don't sell people so short. That's great you're a paid mechanic but what you do isn't rocket science.

 

You need to get your head out of your ass and learn what an opinion is.

I've seen trucks towed in with brand new ball joints dropped out and I'm suggesting it be avoided.

You want to get more youtube hits that's fine, but don't insult me.

 

Well that escalated quicky. Im with Timmy. If you have the time and patience, have at it. If your like me and dont, then pay up the ass

 

Thanks guys for all the advice, and I appreciate the video links. I want all the knowledge i can get on my new to me yota! I have a ball joint remover, so dont think it will be that big a deal.
"Its not a rocket ship" is what i like to tell the guys at work.
I have changed ball joints on a 1 ton ram, and chevy, just never done a toyota before. Was just really confused after the shop
told me that the upper control arms would have to be replaced because the ball joints were "built in" Maybe they offered them in two
different styles? I hadn't thought about the bushings in the control arms though, your right. Now would be a good time to replace them.
I love this forum. If any of you all ever in south alabama give me a shout, Ill throw a burger on the grill!

 

It's a lot like the domestics, you're more than well equipped to replace it. I was assuming you were a typical owner, where an arm would make more sense.

The last set of upper ball joints from Toyota I ordered took 2-3 weeks as they were backordered, maybe phone a dealer tomorrow to see if they are available.

 

In before the 555 is OEM debate

 

People like you are one of the reasons why people appreciate the videos I make so much. I show everyday people that if they are willing to learn, willing to invest in tools and have the patience to turn wrenches because we all know things don't go smoothly, they can do most of their own wrenching. The difference between you and I is I have plenty of faith people can handle auto mechanics no problem. Yes, not everyone was meant to turn wrenches but you made this job sound hard when it really isn't. If someone was asking whether or not they should install their own gears or a locker, I would suggest they send it to a place like East Coast Gear Supply or a guy like Zuk who has his own business out of his house doing gear and locker installs. For most jobs, if they have the Right Information, Right Tools and Right Level of Patience, they can do their own work and often times do it better than the paid guys. People working on their own rigs aren't in a rush to get through a job because they'll make more money because of the flat rate system they work under. For the most part, the best person to working on a person's rig is the owner himself/herself.

You know what they say, opinions are like as*holes and everyone's got one. You have a nice life Bro. I'll do the same.

 

I am no mechanic but your videos were instrumental in doing upper ball joint work.

 

You can replace the bushings in the UCAs if you have a press handy. If you don't and you like doing your own wrenching, invest in a 20 ton press from Harbor Freight. With all the Black Friday sales going on, you can probably pick one up for very little. A press is super handy for a lot of jobs. You'll save around $120 per side by replacing just the bushings and not the whole arms. If your arms were really rusted up bad, then I'd say replace the arms. But, if you're not dealing with a ton of corrosion, replace just the bushings and save some money.

Here's another video for you.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/_lZbAd1_EUM

 

Myself I need to wonder was everything as worn as you were told ?? The mileage on your Truck High enough just good PM to change everything .

Over the years female friends have been told quite a few parts $$$$ needed replaced only to have nothing wrong with them.

Finding a Good Shop is so very difficult .

 

There are many parts/systems that are a safety issue if installed incorrectly.

 

You got that right Wyoming09. We haven't been down here in Alabama but about 9 months but its definitely hard leaving tire shops/mechanics that you have known. I miss my old tire shop.

Timmah, thanks for your videos. Subscribed!