Ball joints

Just looking for some input here...I went into a auto shop up here in the northeast which I have always avoided because of horror stories about them advising things were wrong with the vehicle and needed to be replaced. I thought I could trust them with a simple alignment. Well they give me the call and say they can’t do the alignment due to “excessive play” in the ball joints (and quoted 800 to replace them). I definitely don’t trust them and just had them do a rotation for now. Called a trustworthy Toyota dealership in the area and mechanic/shop guy said he had never heard of a 14’s ball joints wearing out (which I would think that at some point a ball joint could wear out). I barely know what a ball joint is...but what is everyone’s opinions here? Truck has 102,000 on it. Some/not much has been some off-roading/rough dirt roads here in Maine but I wouldn’t call it too abusive. Thanks for any input!

 

I have 230k on mine and I wheel semi frequently, my ball joints are fine.

1st gen trucks were notorious for ball joint failure, 2nd gen's were over built as a result.

Lift one of your front wheels off the ground support the lower control arm and get a pry bar and see if you can lift the knuckle from the lower control arm if you really want to test it.

The ball joint is where the lower A shaped piece connects to the knuckle (weird block that the brakes are mounted to) that allows the knuckle to pivot for steering and cycle up and down as the shock absorbs road forces.

Personally sounds like the shop is skeevie and trying to take you for a sucker.

Ball joints on second gens can and eventually will fail, everything will, but I would DEFINITELY get a second opinion.

Also $800!?




It should be like HALF that with parts!

Your ball joints:

 

While it’s possible you have worn ball joints , It’s usually the wheel bearings that go out first in these trucks.

 

Check the boots, look for leaks, get the wheels up and put a pry bar in to see if there’s any play. 102k seems premature, at least if you’re all stock. Mine are getting replaced next week at 265k, last 80k miles lifted.