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So I Have decided, after having installed wider wheels, that I need to replace the ball joints on my upper and lower control arms because i can barely drive straight now. This will be my first time working on ball joints so any one willing to give a brief run-through, tips, pointers etc. would be great. I have two different repair manuals so I have a vague idea of how it is done i mainly need to know what tools i will need. I own a 1979 2wd base LUV, any help would be much appreciated.

So this project was going raelly smoothly up until it came time to remove the 2 1/4(outside Flat diam) hex jam nut on top of the upper control arm ball joint. I managed to get the lower control arm ball joints in with ease, but when it came time to get that damn nut off !@#$. I had all of the proper tools a 3/4" drive socket, 24" breaker bar, torch, PB blaster, mallet, the works. I managed to get it to loosen up but then the damn ball joint came loose of its seating so and there isnt enough clearance to grip the bottom of the BJ with a monkey wrench. after about 5 hours of fooling around with the right tools I broke down and took the arms out so that I could cut the damn things off. Now im in a serious pickle because nobody, I mean nobody stocks these damn nuts. I have two options as far as im aware 1. get a new upper ball joint assmebly that comes with the nut, or 2. have a pair custom machined for me. Either way I am looking at spending at least 100 dollars more than I had originally thought.

WARNING TO ALL WHO ATTEMPT TO REPLACE THEIR UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS, GET AN UPPER BALL JOINT THAT COMES WITH THE BIG NUT SO YOUR NOT RIDING THE BUS OR BUMMING RIDES FROM FRIENDS WHILE YOU WAIT FOR THE NEW !@#$^ING BALL JOINT.