Well, I lowered my 'taco today

FWIW when mine broke, the ball joint was fine. Mine wasn't a failure of the ball joint but rather the 4 bolts that hold it to the LCA sheared. I've heard of several others that had the same issue.

 

yeah this is like my #2 fear while driving, second only to finding a spider on me while driving at highway speeds

 

FYI for ALL 01-04 taco owners with a 2.4L 2rz motor...there is a 774,xxx (several models including Tundra, taco as and the like) vehicle recall out on of all things....lower ball joint failure!!!

I have a direct contact number at Toyota to have your VIN's checked out to see if you are part of the recall. I however, am not part of the recall

 

There is recall out on the ball joints right now

 

Yeah I didn't get any, whatsoever. It just simply popped....and that was it

 

Well, truck should be outta shop 8-9am tomorrow morning. They put a rush on me knowing this is a working vehicle. Left side has a little play but not anything serious or gonna leave me stranded out. They checked uppers, they OK. Steering is all good.

So I guess I get to sleep in a couple hours tomorrow and then catch a bus (happens to be a direct STRAIGHT shot, but I also have a bud that will be nearby and is willing to catch me up and get me on a ride in. Sweet)

This particular shop, was EXTREMELY shocked when I was pulled into the shop....(I deliver to them frequently) and they know I RARELY (read almost NEVER) use a shop for work I can usually easily do myself. In fact their first words were "what are you doing back? We didn't order anything else!" Then I said I was gonna have them do this work and the guys eyes popped open the size of 18" rims (pure shock)....and they immediately jumped into action, ordered up my parts, got it on a lift and started in on it, got me a ride home.......overall, a great shop experience.

If you happen to live in AZ, around 42nd St/university area....community tire there on the corner.....Mark and John are totally helpful and really awesome people to work with.

 

Hey friend. I have that exact model with the 2rz. How can I check on that, I was planning on doing them soon since i have 140k on them . My vin is 5TENL42N61Z720076 . Should I call somewhere?

 

I will have the number posted tomorrow morning. It's in my truck. It's a 800 number specific for checking VIN's for ANY recalls on that particular VIN. In fact they checked out my entire history of the vehicle and were super apologetic about all I have endured thus far.

 

Thanks!

 

You bet buddy!! God knows these trucks start switching hands and who knows who had what done that NEEDED to be done.

I have a whopping inspection on my spare tire carrier due apparently (which if I had a spare might even have some relevance to me! LOL)

 

Man I went in for that tire replacement but my local dealer SUCKS. Went in two days just for the inspection. Then they tell me ok we'll call you when we get the part in. Never got that call.
I haven't pressed the issue just because working with them is such a pain.
We're the same then. Running no spare. lol

 

I'm spoiled....multiple dealers in a 20 mile easily covered span.....I'm talking MULTIPLE dealers.....when this happened, 7 dealers popped up on search. The dealer didn't even know there was a BJ recall....then I received the number from the shop I went to (hence why I just gave them a GREAT review-which for me is also rare upon rare.....AAA certainly didn't get that....in fact I had a manager fired for his rude, arrogant, callous attitude)

 

Looks like you lucked out though and probably weren't going very fast. I don't see too much bad damage. A lot better than taking out your fender and door and possibly getting you in a wreck.

When you replace it, whatever you do go with OEM parts. Ball joints, especially on these things you do not want to cheap out on! It's too bad they aren't greaseable, I think that's part of the reason they have problems with failing so often. Water builds up inside them over time and makes them go to hell in a hurry.

 

Also, I'd have all the ball joints done while it's in the shop, uppers and lowers on both sides just to be safe. Be a bit spendy, but definitely worth it for peace of mind!

 

I'm the third owner on my '04 that I just bought 3 months ago, took into the dealer for service last week and they told me that they did the spare tire TSB inspection because it hadn't been done yet

 

You got competition

 

Awe damn son!!

 

I'm the I don't know number owner and mine hasn't been done!

 

As badly as I would love to do that, cost factor. I just had 2 weeks unpaid during a transmission rebuild and just had $700 worth of tires/alignment done. Basically, I'm pretty broke at this point.

Shop inspected everything already and said left side in good shape and uppers are good... I'm going to get the other side done soon, but I would really like to get a paycheck first again.....

 

Yes, OEM only

I wasn't doing 3 MPH, heck I just stopped, shifted into D and POP! Pretty unaware that anything bad was about to happen. The minor drive forward was to get the truck out of a drive lane in a parking lot.

Getting up on the wrecker, used the age old floor jack method