Front End Suspension Question

I've owned my 2003 tacoma for about 9 years or so, and I think it's time for some maintenance. I watched several videos on how to check for play in the lower ball joints, and herein lies my question. I don't seem to have any vertical play from the 6-12 o'clock position, but I do have some horizontal play from the 3-6 o'clock on the passenger side. Does this movement suggest excessive play in the lower ball joint, a wheel bearing, or maybe a tie rod issue. I'm relying on you more experienced TW shade tree mechanics, who've already been there and done that. I was looking at the lower ball joint, and notice there appears to be a square block sitting on top of it, and was wondering what it's purpose is. I don't have anyway to edit or draw on this pic, but it's the black square on top of the ball joint. Or is this play something else entirely.

 

Side to side play is generally tie rod ends. Have the ball joints ever been replaced? There is grease/oil residue on the lower control arm so the grease has been leaking from the ball joint boot.

 

@sharkrocket I believe the Passenger side was done on a Recall from Toyota. Truck has 134K miles on it, and no hard core off road since I've owned it. I'll take a closer look at my tie rods early next week, since were having a break from the summer heat. Thanks for the reply.

 

Lowrangeoffroad has good prices on inner/outer tie rods/ends.
Go OEM for ball joints.

 

The black thing is just a shroud intended to provide some protection to the conventional rubber boot underneath. Earlier joints do not have it.
Play at 3 and 6 (only) can be from tie rods ends, very common in 1st gens is a worn steering "rack guide". Simple to replace on the truck. Search for info on that topic and locate where exactly the play is on your truck. The guide was upgraded before 03 but they still wear out, just not as fast as the earlier ones.

 

Like the timing belt just replaced every 100,000 and be safe

 

Thanks for the replies, I've already purchased the Sankei 555 brand tie rods from Parts Geek, both inner and outer as insurance. Ball Joints will definitely be OEM from what I've read here on other Posts. Timmy the Toolman has some excellent videos. One more question, should I change all four ball joints, or should the uppers be good for a few more miles. Either way, I'm going to order them from Gunny.

 

are you replacing all this suspension components because of driveability issues?
my suspension is all original with nearly as many miles as yours but I detect no driveability issues even considering the awful patched up roads around here

i absolutenly cringe at the drop off in pavement (look in my mirror and the shadow is HUGE) over the drop i just hit at highway speed

 

I also want to know if no driveability issue, is it still a good idea to change out the lower ball joint, tie rods on a 150k+ miles truck?

 

If it isn't broke don't fix it unless you feel the need to. Tie rods are an easy fix, as far as the lower ball joints...well I cant speak to those but those are my next fix on the truck.

 

Ball joints on 1 gens aren't broke until they break. Like this:


I'd rather do some cheap preventative maintenance to avoid this.
Not my truck. I replaced LBJ, UBJ, all tie rods, ends, and steering rack bushings, to avoid above.

 

Don't worry about the uppers.
When doing the lowers, don't forget to order new bolts as well.

 

was that your truck that the LBJs broke?

 

@GQ7227 , yes because of vibrations I have in my steering wheel, and the feel of the passenger side wheel when driving over bumps and such. I have horizontal play, 9-3 o'clock in my wheel when it's jacked up off the driveway. Plus as SharkRocket stated above in post #2, something does appear to be leaking from the lower ball joint. But the biggest reason, I'm going to change the lower ball joints, is because I've read here on TW world that this one part is the "Achilles Heel" of the 1st gen Tacoma's. See the PIc in Post #11, I don't want that to be me. I'd rather spend $250.00 to $300.00 dollars in parts now, than having to spend $1k or so in repairs for being a cheap tight ass. Preventative Maintenance is the Key to Keeping my 1st gen going for 300k miles, which is my goal.

 

cool, I have been looking at getting my truck completely checked over by a Toyota expert for the upcoming 150k maintenance
it has to be somewhere other than dealer though, which I have always trusted until lately, they don't see trucks of my age anymore much in their service dept. and probably don't give a rats chit about its safe driveability and all that jazz!
they quote me some outrageous price on upper radiator hose leak probably just to keep me from coming back and bothering them! because I have been starting to get a bit lippy with them and tell them how it is hahah, i have had this truck since before some of the techs there were weaned from their Moms I bet

 

@GQ7227, I agree 100% with no stealership bullshit for me. I'm 62, had 3 spinal fusion surgeries, and with "a lot" of help from my brother in law and next door neighbor, I hope to do quite a bit of work this fall, maybe starting sooner than later. I've done most of my own Wrenching for years, and don't like being ripped off by the Dealerships insane prices. Even some of my local mechanics charge an arm and a leg for labor these days, to tell the truth, I'd rather do it myself, and know it's done right. I'm trying to make a complete list of the parts, I'll need before I start. Don't like any surprises after I start working on my truck, but I have no doubt that "Murphy" will show up at the worst time.

 

Steering rack bushings, what's the labor time on changing them?

 

This website has some good info: http://www.bajataco.com/tech/

 

I replaced mine with Energy Suspension bushings, took a couple of hours with basic tools.

 

i think that 'Murphy' has already paid me a visit with my driver seat issue! and the driveablity problems.
dealer told me something like Uh cannot find the part you may need to fix it, F OFF and go take it to the junkyard
getting to the point where i will need to take a drive south to Dallas!