Hello everyone,


I think I went through 5-6 threads in this forum about the best way to fix the LCA bushings. I am pretty confident now that the Supra 93.5 and up LCA are the best option because they are the cheapest, have beefier bushings, and come with a new ball joint.

However, my question is did anyone do the job himself? And if so how did you get the Ball Joint out because as I look at the suspension and check the Lexus manual that I have, the ball joint is the one part that I am not sure how to replace.

I would appreciate any input, and thanks in advance.

 

There is a special tool that you will need to separate the ball joint. You can rent or borrow one from a local auto parts store. Good luck on your project. You should do a write up of it so take lots of pics!

 

Yes I thought that would be a good idea, because I am sure there others who are thinking about doing the job to save money.

So your saying stores are willing to rent you this tool? and from there its a basic job?

 

Easy job, jut buy this pitman arm puller for $10 at Pep Boys.

 

I thought a pickle fork was used to seperate ball joints?

 

i dont think the ball joints are replaceable, you will need complete arms.

 

Me too. That's what I've always used to separate ball joints.

 

Pickle forks are only used as a last resort, they can rip right through the rubber grease boots if not used and positioned just right. Trust me on the pit man arm puller I posted above, it easily seperated the front lower ball joints to allow me to install Daizen bushings.

 

like djl said use the picklefork as a lastresort it will most surely rip the balljoint boot. also you cant replace the balljoint seperatly on our lca's u need a new control arm. while your at it why dont u install dazian lca poly-bushings. i did mine in my garage in a day. i used a powersteering pully puller that i bought from autozone for 10 bucks. if you go to toyota.spx.com and type in 09628-62011 under the search bar u will find the tool they use at the dealership. (this is similar looking to what i used). the dazian bushing kit is around 90$ and has bushings for both front lca's and both front uca's. i bought mine from tm engineering.

 

I do agree that you have to be careful with the fork type tool. I've never tried a pitman arm puller but maybe I'll pick one up!

 

I wish I had that option. My only fear is that once I have the ball joint separated, provided its not ripped in the process, it will need to be replaced either way. My car is very old, 92 to be specific, and even worse, allot of the parts are really rusted from sitting around in Chicago's snowy/rainy environment. So while its more expensive to buy the new arms my guess is that its safer. Either way I am going to check all the suggested tools in this thread, I am sure they will be good preparation for the project. Againe thanks for the input everybody.

 

It would be nice if someone made replacement rubber boots for the ball joints.

It's absolutely rediculous that you'd have to buy a $400 control arm because a 30 cent boot is torn.

 

Thanks for the info djl!!!! I'll have to go out and get a pitman arm tool now, especially since it's only around $10.00

 

The best way I've found to remove ball joints is to rap the side of the spindle right next to the ball joint with a hammer, striking sideways.
It's the (annular)shock wave that pops it out, no need to touch the rubber boot.
Forget where I learned that trick, but it's how Belltech does it someone mentioned once.
Good Luck, and get the car aligned right away, or else bye bye tire tread(likely).