Ball joint failure advice

Near badin lake, that’s the closest “landmark” I can think of that most people know. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Any advice on the CV axel? It appears that it’s “popped out” or something. Somehow the boot has slid up and it appears twisted?? When I try to line up the assembly with the LCA, the cv is preventing this from happening. I could post more pics to give you a better understanding if needed. Somehow I actually got the LBJs off!!!!! . Now I just gotta figure out what I’m gonna do about this cv. I really don’t wanna replace it

I have really no knowledge or understanding on how these work so pardon me if I sound like I don’t know what I’m talking about haha

 

Replace both at the same time, whatever you decide to go with.
Set a mileage interval, preferably at 100k but I'm going to do them less than that, and replace them again.
Keep at it and your chances of this happening again will be less. This relies on the quality of the part as both oem, oe style and aftermarket will fail at some point.
If you ask which is best I would suggest you search for the topics, yes topics with an 'S', that discusses/debates this.

 

Ball joints aren't too tough to replace, but having access to pneumatic tools can make the job go much faster and easier. How fast were you going when it separated?

Not trying to nitpick here, but if you're going to do any work under/around that truck, please use a more secure method of supporting it than the landscaping block you have under the jack stand. These things will crack and crumble if you look at them wrong. Just making sure you're working safe!

 

Agreed. phew.....

 

yeah that's a disaster waiting to happen lol. My old driveway has cracked under the weight of my floor jack a couple times, scares the hell out of me. Early 20th century homes are cool in a lot of ways, and not so in others.

 

Beats putting it in the mud. The area I had it towed to is sorta muddy and I really can’t move it. You can’t see it in the photo but I have a jack on the front of the frame as well for extra support.

 

I’ll figure something else out then. Like I said I’m not the best at stuff like this. I do have a jack supporting the front as well but the area they towed it to is extremely muddy and I figured it was better to throw a block under it then just put the stand directly in the mud. Anyway to move this thing? I should of had them tow it to a better spot but I wasn’t planning on doing this job myself till I got a quote for $1800... without an alignment.

 

I can't judge really, I've done my fair share of sketchy vehicle jacking before...I had a CV axle explode on a trail once and I had to use my Hi-Lift (farm jack) to lift my truck in the snow...no jack stands, only supported by the hi-lift. Was definitely nerve wracking but it surprisingly worked great...wouldn't do it again though if I can help it

 

That’s what I’ve been doing. Been researching a lot of threads. Surprisingly they’re actually very helpful! I got 4 new BJs on the way right, I’m also getting new Outer tie rods bc the boots were split, any suggestion on tie rods?

 

For outer tie rods I would stick with OEM ones through Toyota, they aren't very expensive. Inner tie rods are more pricey and those I would go with the 555 brand.

The boots protect the inner tie rods, not the outers. If you're going to replace those boots I would do the inner tie rods as well since you'll already be in there, Low Range Offroad sells the Moog 555 inners that work really well and are considerably cheaper than OEM inners

 

Risky business
At least it worked out well and didn’t turn into a disaster. I’m usually not the one to “cut corners” like this but I can’t move the truck and the way my backyard is made is basically two inclines on both sides and my yard is in the middle of those. So I get 150% of the water from the other yards... creating a damn swamp in my yard. Sad life

 

So

I’ll have to order some then. I was planning on sticking with OEM but I wasn’t too sure if it was necessary for these. Glad I got oem balljoints and not the cheap set I planned on ordering off rock auto before I started researching. You know looking at the design of the lower balljoints kinda makes me question the safety of them...

 

Yeah the lower ball joint design on these trucks is their achille's heel. Toyota redesigned the ball joint for 2nd gen Tacomas (basically flipped it upside down so it doesn't want to pull apart like ours does) and you never hear of 2nd gens having these issues.

 

@PBNCLB Badin is only like 40 minutes from me. I could def swing up one night and offer a hand with the LBJ's. I did mine in my 4runner, Tacoma and my buddies 4 runner and they're very easy to do. I have all the tools needed (minus the puller, but Advance auto is "free" rental).

Post more pics of the CV, I wonder if it just slid out of the diff. I pulled mine out when I was pulling my LBJs and was able to realign it and slide it back in.

 

Take a look at this how to write up and you'll be able to see what your CV looks like inside the boots. https://adventuretaco.com/how-to-rebooting-a-tacoma-cv-axle/
Unfortunately the only way you're going to know if it's damaged is by taking the boot off.

 

Your best bet for blocks is always wood

In the soft dirt I use a 12"x12" piece of plywood .

I had a truck fall when the ground thawed and the jack stand sunk on one side

 

Hmmm, it appears that the 3 bearings have popped out. But just the top one? I felt the boot and it feels like a circle coming out of the housing that’s right behind the boot. I’m gonna try to pop it back in tomorrow

 

I’ll get some tomorrow morning, thank you for the advice

 

Let me know whenever you got some free time man, any help would be greatly appreciated!!

I think I got it under control for now. I was having trouble at first but I rented one of those pullers that you were talking about and boy that thing works wonders! I was able to get the driver side lower balljoint off completely and the tie rod end as well.
I’ll get a good picture of the CV tomorrow, I’m thinking that one of the three balls has popped out of the housing they were in. At least that’s what it looks and feels like. Illnpost a pic tmmrw

I ordered the uppers as well and a kit to press the old ones out and in, wish me luck with that I think this will give me a real challenge. I’m gonna have trouble keeping the knuckle from moving but my plan is to bolt in the new LBJ and use that to help hold it still a bit. Will this damage the lower bj?