Upper & Lower Ball Joint Replacement Advice

Took my daughters 90 4 runner in for a state inspection and they say I need to replace the upper and lower ball joints.
Is this a difficult process? They want $365.00 for parts and labor per ball joint. I can purchase the parts for $50.00 each ball joint. I have a puller and an old ball joint tool I used to use on 68 GTO. I expect the ball joints may be a bear to get loose. Any advice would be appreciated.

Its easy to replace the balljoints, you basicaly put it together the way you pulled it apart. by the looks of it you have everything you need minus jack, stands(obvious) and a BFH. Other than that you probobly will need an alignment.

An old trick to ejecting the tapered shaft is to take to heavy hammers place the heavier of the two on one side of the cast mount area and then strike the opposite side with the other hammer, “should” pop it right out. It the best way as no damage is done to any of the components, unless your thumb gets in the way.:crying: :thumbsup:

In trying to remove the upper ball joint on the drivers side I have run into a problem. The upper A arm on my 4wd seems to have a lot of torsion on it and I do not know how to release this torsion/tension to remove the upper ball joint. I have the ball joint broken loose and everything moves but it take a lot of pressure to move the upper a arm. I cannot move it enough to get the ball joint out and the new one in. Any suggestions on what I am doing wrong? Do I need to loosen both end nuts on the A arm? It looks like a torsion bar running from the rear of it. Do I have to unbolt the torsion arm? Need help please.

Yes there will be tension on the upper a arm as this is where the torsion bar is attached!!! CAREFULL!!
Keep your fingers clear at all times.
The adjustments for the "ride height" is back under the seat area. Lubricate the top of this big bolt as snapped both of mine trying to release the tension.
Take a height measurement before you adjust these so you can set them back to where they should be when done.
Good luck.