Ball Joint Replacements - The nutty nut

[enenum]

Folks, I hope someone can chip in a word of advice. I have a 02 Avalon which has some clunking sounds over bumps - the type that usually ends up being ball joints or control arm bushings. I am getting ready to replace those parts, but I am dreading the difficulty of removing the ball joint.

I used to have a gen 1 97 avalon that had the same problem. I struggled so much to get the nut that ties the BJ to the knuckle. I ended up sawing it off with the reciprocating saw with a metal blade.

The problem is not only because the nut was super hard to get off, but also must wrenches cannot hold it because Avalon has a metal collar around the hole for the axle that blocks access to the nut. I don't know if Toyota changed this design (I hope so) but I wonder if anyone has found a better way around it.

[MoJ1985]

I'm not familiar with that specific nut but a few general suggestions:

1. PB Blaster. Starting a few days in advance, soak the nut well each day. WD40 isn't suitable. Pick up a can of PB Blaster penetrating oil at any chain auto supply store.
2. If you're able, apply heat to cause the metal to expand, making it easier to remove.
3. For a clunking suspension noise, check the fasteners at the top of the strut tower. A few years ago I had similar problem with an Accord. I spent a few $ at the mechanic to replace bushings. No luck. In the end it was a 10 min fix to tighten the nuts at the top of the strut (access via engine bay).