new ball joints and tie rod ends already?

I noticed my steering wheel was off slightly and the truck would pull to the right when I braked. So today I took it to a shop to have the alignment checked and corrected. They told me thta first they do an inspection of the suspension and steering.
When they called today they told me that I need to replace: (2) lower ball joints, Both the tie rods, and both the tie rod ends. They also said I needed to replace the front tires because they were in bad shape from the effects of the poor ball joints and tie rod ends as well.
The question is why the hell do I have to replace these items when the same items were replaced in December of 2007? Looking at my odometer I can see that she has gone from a little over 68,000 miles in december of 2007 to just under 95,000 miles as os july of 2009. That's about 27,000 miles in a year and a half. Is this really the life span of ball joints and tie rod ends? Should I also have new shocks and struts replaced at the same time as well? What should I go with? I have a 2004 double cab taco 2WD. Let me know because evidently as they say the linkage and everything is fairly bad shape. Thanks as always

 

get a second opinion

 

they have to replace the lower ball joints on toyotas dime...as there is a recall for them. then...get someone else to look at the tie rod ends and tie rods.

 

Yeah I know about the recall concerning the leaky ball joints.
I sent in the recall notice along with all pertinent info into Toyota a long time ago, but still no response from ' em yet. As far as the purchasing the bottom ball joints you think I should go with OEM parts from toyota or are some of the other parts manufactureres more reliable? I know 27,000 miles is quite a ways to go but that seems to be an awfully short life span.

 

i would just take the truck into the dealership and tell them you need the ball joints fixed under the recall. they will have to replace them for you....its a safety issue.

 

4421frank??????

As stated ,bring your Taco to the dealer and they will check and see if the recall has been done...If not,lower ball joints are on "them" and they might be "encouraged" to give you a deal for the other front end parts,then split the cost of an alignment ( 1/2 warranty and the other yours)......
My '02 has 44000 and the balls were tight in all 4 corners,they were done due to my frame recall;plus the ball recall-easier to put new balls in new lower control arms....
Yes there are horror stories about "Stealerships" BUT hopefully yours might be different,mine was

Snoope back quiet

 

thanks for the advice. I called up toyota and they said they would put new ball joints in free of charge as well as take car of some fuel hose problem that also needs to be taken care of as well. Problem solved. Although, are they just replacing shoddy ball joints with new, shoddy ball joints? Or have they now a better supplier of ball joints? Oh well. Either way this must get done soon. The summer road trip is beckoning.

 

Anyone know if I could still get this Lower ball Joint recall work done?

 

Well if there free what the hell do you have to loose?

 

Call Toyota with your vin # and see, but I doubt they will even if you qualify with the lift installed.

 

The LBJ recall was specific to certain production batches that had a scratched ball joint due to a manufacturing error, if I recall correctly.

I just lifted my truck (minor, leveling to 1.5), and then went in for the recall. No issues, free alignment included.

You can register on toyotaownersonline.com and enter your VIN, and it should tell you whether it applies to your truck and whether is has already be done.

As for your tie-rod ends, that sounds fishy. Replace them twice?

 

cool, thank. I'll give it a shot. I remember getting a letter in the mail a couple of years ago about this, but didnt pay much attention to it.

 

I can't believe this - I'm about to replace ball joints for the 3rd time! I had the lower right ball joint replaced under the recall, less than 3 years later the front end felt loose again, had both lower ball joints replaced, felt nice and tight again, and now 2 years later it feels loose AGAIN! New mechanic says the uppers are sagging, but the lowers are loose as well, especially the right front. Has no one else eperienced this?? 3rd time replacing the ball joints in 8 years! (On the 2nd round the right tie rod was replaced too)

 

havent heard of too many folks having that much trouble outta them. maybe look into some moog ball joints....i think they are a little thicker than stock, and pretty damn strong too.