Suspension replacement

Hello everyone,

So I have an 03 Tacoma and my mechanic told me that the whole front suspension needed to be replaced. The truck does sit pretty low at the front and it feels a little dangerous to drive.

If I wanted to do the work myself would it be too difficult?

What parts should I replace first?

And what is a trusted site for parts?

Thanks y’all

 

did he quote you any parts specifically?

 

He told me what parts specifically but not the price and I really can’t remember what parts.

 

LOWER BALL JOINTS IF THESE FAIL YOUR WHEEL COMES OFF. Plenty of DIY videos if you are handy.

this one is actually a huge safety hazard

 

I would start with Lower ball joints. save yourself and just go with OEM at your local dealer. the lbjs is something you don't cheap out on. inner/outer tie rod ends will clean up some play in your steering if you have any. I would start with this first. If you can afford it, do upper ball joints too. I can assume that shocks, wheel bearings, rotors/brakes are probably due, but you can always wait. again, do lbjs, ubjs, inner/outer tie rods at the same time as you will have to do the whole project over again later.

Getting the ball joints out its fairly easy with just a sledge hammer. They will pop out of the socket with a couple good hard swings. don't worry about getting a ball joint tool. It shouldn't take you any more than 2-3 hours.

remember, OEM ball joints...

 

thanks for the advice, I’ll definitely look into them

 

I'm not being rude when I say if you have to ask, it may be too hard.

It shows you have no experience, at least with this. And you didn't collect a printed estimate from the mechanic, which should have included parts as well as labor.

We don't know your mechanical abilities, your tool availability, your workspace situation and if you have other transportation should the work take a few days (sometimes moving slow is good)

Yes, everyone has to do something for the first time. But if you could find a couple of local DIY Toyota types in your area (check your regional forum) having someone look over your shoulder and even lend a helping hand for some good lunch grub would ramp up your learning curve.

There are a pile of safety concerns in doing this work, so it can't really be sketchy. Brakes, tires and steering/front end are key life factors.

Only you can decide if it's something you can tackle.

Best wishes!

 

I would just jack each wheel up one at a time from the lower control arm and try and twist the tire perpendicular to the hub, vertically and horizontally and see if there is play in your joints just so you know a record of what is actually worn out, but it's not a bad idea to replace those regardless since you're really just doing a rebuild. Even if one is bad I'd replace them all so they are at the same life span, but that's just me.

 

Thanks for being honest and for the advice

 

Thanks

 

Not to contradict another member but please please don't beat on your truck with a hammer. Most auto parts stores rent tools for "free" so if you don't have something you need its readily available. The only part you must (imo) have a torque wrench for would be the lower ball joint bolts. Most everything else you can get away with what feels good and tight, depending on your experience of course.

Lower controls arms are cheap from rock auto and saves a ton of effort than rebuilding bushings in my opinion. These are also the only item that may require a fresh alignment if you don't mark the cam adjusters before removing. Which brings another good point, the cam adjusters sometimes freeze up pretty bad and can be a bear to get out. Rock auto is your friend. I think I had to take my steering rack loose to get the rearmost cam half out to replace the lower control arm. Depending on how rusty your truck is, start PB blasting daily like a week in advance. I'm in VA so everything that does not call for locktite gets anti seize instead. Its a pretty easy vehicle to work on if parts aren't frozen together with rust. Thats probably the biggest challenge, just getting things apart.

What state are you in? What kind of repairs have you done before?

 

If the joints are coming out, it doesn't matter.

 

I live in Dallas, I’ve only ever done basic maintenance like oil and brake changes

Thanks for the advice

 

Looks like you have a 2WD extended cab? RockAuto should have all the parts you need at reasonable prices. They have a whole kit with upper and lower ball joints and tie rod ends, although you could buy that stuff separately and go with OEM lower ball joints. You could add lower control arms, springs and struts/shocks. I would not go Monroe or Gabriel, spring for the KYB silver ones. It's a big job, but not hard and will require an alignment.

If you want a shop to do it (which I would recommend), you could at least create a cart and get a rough idea of parts cost, then double that for an estimate of shop labor (this is a rough guideline for budgeting). If the quote you are getting is significantly off from that, look at the detail and try a different shop if things seem off. Most shops won't let you provide your own parts, but you can request specific parts.

 

Fellow 5 lugger here - this is not too difficult if you are somewhat mechanically inclined. I went with all Moog parts (upper and lower ball joints, upper control arms (which came w/ the uppers BJs already installed!) and inner and outer tie rods) and KYB shocks. I didn't do lower control arms at this time. If your springs were like mine, i didn't even need a spring compressor to get them out off the spring perch.

Rock Auto is definitely a great place to buy from. They are usually very good at identifying whether the parts for for 5 lug or 6 lug trucks. They are very different parts and not interchangeable.

I posted all the part numbers at some point, let me see if I can dig 'em up and I'll add to the post.

EDIT: found it

Upper Control arm RK620354 (includes ball joints)
Upper Control arm RK623055 (includes ball joints)
Lower Ball Joint

$36 MOOG K90260 Front Left Lower Suspension Ball Joint for Toyota Tacoma

K90260
Lower Ball Joint

$34 MOOG K90261 Front Right Lower Suspension Ball Joint for Toyota Tacoma

K90261
Outer tie Rod End ES80309 (need 2)
Inner Tie Rod EV409 (need 2)
Lower control arm RK642948 (does NOT include ball joints)
Lower control arm RK642949 (does NOT include ball joints)

 

I slammed on mine with 3lb hammer for a while, did not pop out. Bought a puller for $15 and this is a way better way to go... Brute force is for brutes. Correct tools are the way to go. GL OP you got this.

 

Yeah, I have an extended cab 2WD. Thanks for the advice, my mechanic already provided everything that needs to be done and the quotes for each but I would really like to do it myself. I’ll definitely check out RockAuto and stay away from those other ones.

 

Thanks I’ll definitely check it out.

 

I appreciate it a lot, thanks for the advice and for the links.

 

Got all my front end stuff from Napa

I'm old school and wanted grease zerts on everything

I realize the oem ball joints are superior,,,at 4x the price ......but a grease gun once a year fixed that

napa has steady sales of 10/20% off online
and if there is a problem I can exchange/refund incorrect fits

to get new bushings....I bought mevotech upper control arm from advance
.....again the 20% off online....and a brick store to exchange if problem


careful....some will sell you 6lug parts and say it fits......and then it doesnt
happen to me twice.....tie rods/steering rack bushings
reason to buy from brick and motor.....especially 5 lug stuff