Alabama thread!

Need some advice!

Looks like BOTH of my lower ball joints are leaking...what do I need to do about this and is there a way to stop it from happening again!?

 

Definitely post up what you find. I really enjoyed it down there and would love to go back. Which entrance are you checking?

Clean them up and see if you can find a hole/cut. I wouldn't sweat it so much until they start making noise, but others may have better information and can provide better information. The only answer I know of to a cut boot is to replace the ball joints.

 

Yes when they are like this they have lost there seal and you need to replace the ball joking. It's not the end of the world. Just a pain in the butt. And take care when installing not to go squeezing on the new boots. Shouldn't take longer than about an hour and half to do with the right tools. Make sure to check your manual for torque specs

 

The North West entrance off Floyd Bradford Rd.. The South East side looks like it's a bit of a pain to get to.

Also, it look like there might be a way to some trails off Dollar Road to the North.

 

Are there any special tools I would need? I would like to do this at the mod day since I have no idea what I am doing. Is this going to be a problem I am going to have now that the lift is installed?

 

I've never had to replace a lower ball joint on any of my lifted tacomas. Can't be very common.

 

wonder if I messed them up somehow while I was installing it...

 

Should I just buy these from Toyota? or does someone online sell them?

 

I have the same reverse pods and just put them to a 2 way switch. I am now in the process of finding a good looking 3 way switch so they will come on every time my 4Runner is in reverse instead of just when I want them to be. If you are even considering you want both eventually I say a 3 way switch is the way to go so you don't waste your time like I am going to and go back and redo something.

 

I hope to have my body lift installed this weekend but don't know that I'll have anything to do that day but would be willing to lend a hand (especially with electrical/lighting) if need be.

 

You better bring that lifted 4Runner around.

 

I'm not familiar with ball joint failure, so what would you say would be the urgency to get it replaced? Most people don't realize they have a problem until they start groaning. I noticed both my UCA ball joint boots got ripped. When I did the bushing replacement, I pulled the boots, patched the holes a bit and regreased everything with red and tacky. I was planning to wait a few more months before I replaced.

 

I would think it depends more on how hard you drive your truck.

 

Good question! This looks like PITA!

 

So my um...snorkel...just came in

 

Yeah well the issue is that when the boot is ripped that it allows dirt and sand to get into the joint and causes premature failure. They need to be replaced once they rip because of the above statement. Because they can wear with an abrasive inside of the joint like sand or mud and cause a catostrophic failure. I'm not saying yours will or won't but I am just saying it can happen. I've been in a vehicle where the lower ball joint snaps. It's not fun. I'm struggling to remember where I bought the ones for the first gen. I think Amazon or something. I went with moot. However now would be a good time to go To a uniball lower control arm.

 

Thank you for the information! There is not much about this on TW, but from what I have read it is a PITA to press the joints in and out. I would like to change them out with moog, but not sure if I can get them out. I have seen you can "rent" a puller from auto zone, I would like to give this a try on the 30th. I am only 2wd so I do not want to spend the money to upgrade to a uniball LCA.

 

Oh ok I forgot you were 2wd. Yeah I would see if someone has a good puller and do it. I would definitely replace them as soon as allowable

 

Rode down to Markeeta after work today. They have that place locked down--the entire area actually. Whatever problem they were having out there, they took it seriously. Decided to hit BassPro for a few things while I was out that way. Then decided to take a quick detour on some of the power line roads back there--Saw a few deer as I made it over a hill.

Anyway, yes, Markeeta appears to be done for the longterm.

 

Yeah, had a 100 series, put 33 MT's on it with the front leveled, drove it for a while, started traveling a bunch more for work, got really tired of getting single digit mpg. Bought a 2012 Golf TDI from my brother in law to daily drive, never drove the Cruiser. Sold Cruiser, 2dr Golf was hell with a car seat for my daughter. Bought Outback Limited, sold Golf. Oh, and there was a triple locked 80 series on bead locks with total shit 37" military tires in there somewhere. Dave knows what was up with that truck lol.

Kinda miss the Tacoma to be honest. However, for the reality of where things are in life at the moment, the Subaru is remarkably practical. Plenty of cargo space with seats down, 30+ mpg highway, leather and lots of creature comforts, one ton of bed capacity with my 5x8 utility trailer. AWD for bad weather. I drove it like I stole it in the snow we had last year. It was shocking how well it did. I totally understand why it's practically the state vehicle in CO.

Anyway, just wanted to pop back in and see what all was going on. Looks like lots has happened.