Lower ball joint failure

100k is the regular interval, commonly recommended to reduce towards 50k if you offroad frequently. Replaced with OEM parts ONLY.

Checking them for play is not a bad idea, though I've seen posts of people who religiously check for play every oil change, and still have one fail. I think the play-test may be a good indicator if you need to replace them early, but having no play after 100k means nothing and they still need to be replaced.

This issue is extremely common, I saw a 1st gen sitting in a parking lot with a broken lbj yesterday. It is also extremely easy to avoid, if you know to just replace them regularly (until you're running 35"+ tires and offroading hard, then all bets are off again). Can't really blame regular people for not knowing about it, I didn't know about it before mine failed either. Most generic mechanics probably have no idea, so unless you spend time with Tacoma enthusiast groups, you won't know until it happens to you.

The recall didn't really address the primary issue (the primary issue is the front suspension design that puts the entire weight of the truck on the ball joint which can't be addressed with a recall anyway), I believe it addressed a secondary issue that caused failure even sooner. My truck isn't included in the recall and still had a failure, and every truck that had that recall done is likely already due for another replacement anyway. Not sure when the recalled trucks were having them fail, probably like 50k, while every truck, even those recalled, is still susceptible after 100k.

There are hundreds of threads across TW about it, search around and you can learn everything you need to know.

 

Yeah no go on the repairs. Was kinda expecting that. I can kludge something to get back to LA and low and slow. Rockauto here I come.
Unless yall have a better recommendation for half shaft, steering rack, struts.
A pal of mine has the fox struts they feel nice.
Don't need any lift etc I'm off road constantly and this thing is amazing as is.
Many thanks,
Steve.