What is going on here?

I replaced my outer tie rod a little while ago because it was shot. Today I crawled under to take a look at the rack bushings because my steering has got really loose lately, and I saw this on the ball joint I replaced. I added a picture of the passenger side, which looks normal as a reference. Is the joint not pressed in there right? Ive gone nearly 1500 miles since replacing it.

 

I'm no expert but it looks as if the castle nut holding the ball joint on has no pin in it and is backing out.

 

just went and checked. the nut is seated and has the pin. maybe its the wrong joint and the bolt is too long?

 

From looking at the pictures, it looked like there are more threads showing on the "good" ball joint.

 

No matter what or how this happened, you will have to replace that outer left BJ. It is shot. And don't wait, or you may be in a ditch.

 

damn alright. time to hit up the napa and see what I can do

 

Make sure you have the truck back on the ground before you torque everything up.

 

That driver side tie rod looks like a crappy moog one that has a crappy boot that lets in dirt and stuff also.. heres this too http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/266989-ball-joints-7.html

 

Just wanted to point out that the picture is not of the lower balljoint. That joint in the picture is the outer tierod end. It also appears as though the outer tierod end on the other side is much newer than this one.

 

Its completely different too, the boots are different and the passenger side has a ring retaining the boot at the bottom. OP ,are you sure you you didn't replace the passenger side tie rod end?

 

Can you wiggle it? Sometimes the bolt doesn't get seated all the way, and driving wiggled it to looseness. If you can wiggle it then you can try and tighten it, if you can't tighten it, I would park it dude.

 

I just went ahead and replaced it. Got a lifetime warranty one from auto zone so if it happens again ill get a free one just like the cv axles. The castle nit was finger lose but the pin was still in so I'm thinkin it wasn't tightened down correctly the first time

 

Heads up for next time always replace parts in 2's especially ball joints. Better to spend and extra hour than end up in a ditch..or worse

 

was it bent? Are the tie rods bent?

 

Both ends were replaced less than 2500 miles ago. Didn't look bent or anything. Maybe just a defective end or it popped out while wheeling. No tellin

 

Lifetime warranty from autozone= face palm

 

Those two rod end do not look like they were replace at the same time. One looks much newer than the other, Also, one has a grease nipple, the other does not. To me this indicates they are different models/brands. Certainly not pairs.

 

There is lots of confusion in this thread.

for folks that dont know the difference between balljoints and tie rod ends, please dont post.

OP:
- always replace things like BJs and tie rod ends in pairs.
- NEVER buy suspension components or critical items from Autozone.
- when you get balljoints, make sure you spring for OEM Toyota. Camelback Toyota can get you hooked up for about $175 shipped for the pair.
- lastly, use a torque wrench to verify the torque setting for your castle nut and your BJ mounting bolts.

 

I meant tie rod end, not BJ.
Same message, replace, which he did.

 

Dafuq? If it aint broke dont fix it.

I have numbered your post.

Can you please explain how you got to the logical conclusions for 1-3? Not even going to dable with number 4


As for OP, pics show a possibility of not seating the ball joint within the spindle which would explain the finger tight issue you had when replacing it. With that being said you probably could have seated it and been good to go till it actually failed. Either way new tie rods for the win.