I take my truck to the same garage for repair, but my front end seems to get worse.

Gentlemen, thank you for your time. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Please look at this picture I took right after my front end broke while driving two days ago! I've taken my truck to the same garage for front end repairs several times over the last few years. Everything has been replaced, this should not have happened. It was an absolute miracle that my five year old little girl wasn't with me on this day. I had both front shocks and the driver's side arms replaced about a year ago. The passenger side arms were replaced about a year and four months ago. Regarding my picture, does that look right? Are those the right parts, are those the right size of shocks... is any of it right? Since taking my truck to the local garage to get fixed everything about my front end just seems to be worse. I stopped taking my truck there after they did the front end work I just mentioned. Since then I've had to replace my steering pump and I've noticed that my truck bottoms out at the bottom of hills now when it never use to before. Something is not right, I just don't know what. I've read through some of the past threads on this topic diligently and remember somebody mentioning adding spacers when Duralast shocks are put on your truck. I have expressed to the owner of the garage that I don't want ORielys or Autozone parts put on my truck, but he says that's all he uses. I love my truck. I rely on my truck. I need help. I'm living 1500 miles away from home, I don't have any family or old friends here to lean on. You men are who I've got in this world to help me right now. I truly appreciate you all.

 

Lower ball joints failure. It's a known weak point. Luckly it looks like you weren't going very fast and it didn't take out your CV or tie rod. I'm not sure what Toyota suggests, but most here replace them every 70k or sooner depending on driving style. Only replace them with OEM parts.

 

Your lower ball joint failed. Common if they aren’t regularly maintained every 70-90,000 miles.

Replace both the driver and passenger side now.

Only use Toyota OEM.

Bring it to another garage. Search the local regional forum here on Tacomaworld and see if anyone in your region has a recommendation: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/any-members-in-arkansas.44792/

I just received an email from McGeorge Toyota that they’re having a sale. See if the lower ball joints are on sale.

There’s also a free shipping code, which I can’t find right now. Maybe someone else can chime in with it.

 

Do you have service records from the garage to see if they replaced the LBJs at some point? You might have decent leverage if they have replaced the LBJ's with an inferior product at some point. Are you the original owner of the truck? 2001 (same as me) would have been issued a recall to replace the factory LBJ's. If the recall was performed, you'd be able to get Toyota to dig that up for you. I mean.. none of that helps you- the LBJ failed cause it either wasn't replaced or replaced with an inferior product.

 

[newbie question] OEM LBJ's are preferred over aftermarket in this case? Or is this a good time to upgrade to something more stout? (like control arms)

 

Yes- OEM are preferred. Folks have tried to make different style LBJs, but for the average owner, OEM are still the best option.

 

Not sure why the OP replaced their lower control arms, most likely because their mechanic was too lazy to press out the bushings and put new ones in.

But generally speaking, the lower control arms do not get replaced.

As for lower ball joints, the topic has been beaten to death the same way oil brands or favorite tire threads do.

Just stick to OEM.

 

The best LBJs are Toyota OEM.

Aftermarket LBJs are less than desirable (by most on here).

 

For God’s sake go to another mechanic or buy the right parts for your current guy to install. Toyota part #’s (from kwikvette’s signature)

LBJ's with bolts 43330-39815 (driver) & 43340-39585 (passenger)

They go for about $110 per side last I checked at my local stealership but only if they’re purchased on line.

PS: it’s spelled “narwhal”


Edit: just checked and left side is $126 and the right side is $136 at Stadium Toyota in Tampa. Hopefully they’re cheaper where you are.

 

Unless it’s too dark to see it looks like the bump stops didn’t get transferred onto the new LCAs. Maybe that’s what’s causing the bottom out feeling. Crappy situation OP but it could be much worse. Glad you’re alright. Truck will live too so that’s a bonus.

 

These Lower Ball joints can fail without any signs of wear So it might not really be your mechanics fault.

Lots of shops have no idea of the LBJ issues so replace with cheap aftermarket parts compounding the problem.

The fact the mechanic does not want to buy Toyota parts is time to move on.

Check out your regional Forum maybe someone can point you to a good shop. They are very difficult to find.

Good Luck!

 

good catch, didn't notice at first myself