Ball joint failure

Plenty have use something similar to ES, there's also whiteline.

 

If you have 160k on a 2001, you might as well just do it. It will be another 15 years when you need to even begin to worry about it again.

The amount of play for a ball joint to have to fail inspection is if there is any at all that you can see, you are already pushing way past it's allowed tolerances.

 

yep - I just made an appointment to have them replaced on Monday - dang - the parts alone will be $300!!

 

Whether it's pulled behind an RV or driven down the road it is still putting wear on the part. Pulling a vehicle behind an RV only reduces wear on items that are not being used.....like the motor or Trans.

 

I'm about to start tearing into my front end today. All the parts finally came in from napa. Whiteline LCA bushings, 555 LBJ's, and a new rack. Should be a fun couple of days

 

It's easy to do yourself if you want to save some money. Also, you can get them from Gunny for probably less than $200

 

Fixed.

 

I would be terrified driving around with a 22 year old 270k mile LBJ.

 

Seriously. I had mine replaced @ 125K miles, against my mechanics will. Turns out the driver side was leaking. I'm no fan of false savings.

 

So I dropped my truck off to have the LBJs replaced this morning and had a chat with my mechanic - he said that typically after a LBJ shows signs of trouble (fails inspection) you have about 10k miles until they go. As of a couple months ago a toyota tech said they were ok, but one could use replacement in the spring - I know I made a right decision this morning having them fixed, its just weird because up until now I've only replaced parts when they've actually been bad or failure was imminent.

 

Heard similar talks, don't replace it if it ain't broke. But that saying doesn't always apply to everything. I still go by my gut and how long since the last time I replace a part though, just like the timing belt job.

 

yeah - agreed - I bought the truck with 146k and has 160k now, not sure if the LBJs were ever replaced.

 

If you search my recent threads iv had this happen twice one both sides of my 01.
Mevotech ball joints. Broke lower and uppers brake lines and c.v axles

 

mevotech? assume that is aftermarket? I got Toyota LBJs...

 

Well I guess that ended up on the 'do not buy from' list...

 

Yes Mevotech are aftermarket. If had both pop out

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/so-this-just-happened.465883/

 

It were me, I would:

First, jack up the left front wheel and use a long pry bar to check the condition of the ball joint. Any noticeable movement is grounds for immediate replacement. Then I would repeat for the right front wheel.

Finally, I would chalk my efforts up to fun and experience, and replace both regardless of their perceived condition. And I would use Genuine Toyota Parts. Only then would I have confidence in the LBJs for the next 50-60k miles.

 

I’ve got a 04 that had the balljoints replaced at 25k under recall. I’ve got 140k on the truck now. Should probably check out the condition of the balljoints. My 4runner had 260k on it without them ever being replaced.

 

Yeah that’s the part that’s confusing to me. Mine is an ‘03 and the VIN # is not part of the recall.