Ball Joint Replacement

[Ras H]

After taking the steering knuckle off of my Toyota Echo 04, I found that most of my problems were the lower ball joint. How hard is it to separate the ball joint from the control arm? I have a press, but dont want to press it the wrong way. Can I use a pitman arm tool to do this?

I think there is a snap ring, it is very rusty and dirty, trying to figure out how to push out the ball joint.

Thanks
HH

[Ras H]

UPDATE, got it out, after hamering it with a socket behind to support it.

[denman]

Were you able to get a ball joint replacement? I'm finding cars now where you need to replace the control arm, the ball joint being permanently attached. I was in there recently with my Echo and suspect I may be in the same boat soon.

[Ras H]

I found this on ebay, but will have to try and source them locally because of time.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-FRO...Q5fAccessories

I am hoping that I will be able to find them tomorrow. I am just not sure how I will press it in without taking the control arm off.

[denman]

A shop would remove the CA and use a press to install the ball joint, but you might get away with using a big C-clamp or F-clamp and that socket you used to get out the old one. And maybe some heat on the CA where the joint goes in. I recently got a 3 ton arbor press to replace my ball joints, so I'll pull the CA when the time comes. The press is heavy and ugly but it paid for itself on the first wheel bearing replacement compared to the shop charge, and after doing the second bearing I'm way in the black.

[tijeff]

Have a look at :

You Tube

You Tube

Same thing on toyota echo 2004 and toyota corola 1999