How long do I have?

I bought this Tacoma used about a year ago and didn’t realize until further down the line that the boots were completely missing from both ball joints. I’ve had ball joints snap on me going down the highway in the past with other cars and I don’t want it to happen again. I have some experience replacing these but not sure if right now I have the time, resources or space to fix it myself so until I can get it to a mechanic, how long do you thing I will last on this?

 

Welcome to TW

 

If it were me. Id jack it up and see how much play there is, then I would make my determination. Im sure you know you are on borrowed time though

 

And welcome!

 

That’s a good idea, thank you.

 

Welcome to TW. If it were my truck, I would probably be replacing those my first free weekend. My .02 cents

 

To clarify, I dont think it's in jeopardy of failing tomorrow. You can see how much play with there is but it's on its way out. Be nice to it until it's fixed.

 

Appreciate the honestly, I’m taking only to and from work right now and avoiding pot holes but one of my ranges is off-road so every once in while I have to travel a 2 mile dirt road and I’m worried the bumps are going shake it apart and cause it to snap in the middle no where. It already knocks on the left side if I go over a speed bump to quick.

 

Spray it with often and liberally with lithium lube it will prevent it binding for awhile.

 

Best advice I heard in a long time:

"Do you want to drive it to get it fixed, or wait in the middle of nowhere at 3AM for a tow truck?"

Fix it now

 

I voted “Its gonna last” but that is assuming that there isn’t a lot of slop when you pull outwards on the bottom of the wheel with it off the ground.
Either way, I would get it changed out as soon as you can.

Having changed out my lower ball joints last year, I would recommend just purchasing new OEM lower control arms (with lower ball joints and bushings installed) and install those. Wouldn’t hurt to get your lower control arm bushings updated while you are taking care of your LBJ’s... wish I would have done it that way last year.