[evtiska]

Hey folks, I haven't been around since you helped me diagnose and fix my air mass meter.

My '91 4x4 started to shimmy, the steering feels loose, and it was pulling left when I braked. The shop said the upper ball joints are shot. Needless to say the estimate was high ($1200 for just the joints, but it needs new rear brakes and a relay rod or two) so I'm going to have to do this one myself. This upper ball joint job looks daunting mainly because the repair manual requires removing the whole steering knuckle. Any advice from someone on doing this? What else should I do while I'm in there? From browsing around I'd say:
New Steering relay rod
Idler Arm
Upper & Lower control arm bushings

Also do I really need the SST tool for removing the ball joints? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ev

 

[toytruck89]

that steering relay rod was recalled by the dealer for me. I took it in to them and they did it for free

 

[toytruck89]

a ball joint press would be immesely helpful, but not technically necessary. You can usually buy them cheap or rent one from an auto parts store.

 

[phatboy5015]

This is an easy job. But go with QUALITY ball joints!!! I got the cheaper ones and the holes didn't line up. Definately worth the extra money.

 

[evtiska]

Phatboy,

I paid up to get the non-Chinese premium joints. But I'm way confused. The Toyota manual makes it sound like I have to remove the steering knuckle. And in order to remove the steering knuckle I'd have to remove the whole brake/wheel/hub assembly. Is this why the shop billed it out at 6hrs. What's the easy way. It seems to me from looking at it that I could just separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle in place, unbolt it from the upper suspension arm and bolt the new one in. Is that right? Please tell me I don't have to get into the whole wheel hub axle assembly otherwise I might scrap the whole truck.
Chilton's says just to support the lower control arm and unbolt. 6 steps. Unless they mean by removing the front wheel, they mean the whole wheel assembly.

Did you need a press when you did this?

Thanks in advance,
Ev