Replace ball joint, need alignment?

My '05 Taco needs a lower ball joint replaced to pass inspection. The service guy says they recommend an alignment whenever they replace ball joints. Is this true, or is he just trying to make some extra money?

 

As a general rule of thumb, any time a suspension part gets adjusted or replaced, you should do an alignment IMO.

 

Are you getting the lower ball joint replaced by itself, or a whole new control arm?

When I had my lowers done 1.5 years ago the only option was new control arms as the ball joints weren't available by themselves. This involves new control arm bushings and alignment cams as they typically seize.

If this is the route you are going, you will need an alignment in the worst kind of way. I don't know if the aftermarket produces lone lower ball joints for Tacoma's yet or not.

 

No, its just the ball joint. The service guy told me most of his parts dealers would only sell the ball joint and control arm as a set, but he did find one that would sell the ball joint separately.

 

The last time I checked (1.5 years ago) Toyota didn't even have a separate part number for the ball joint. Only one part number was specified and it was for the entire assembly. When you bought the BJ it was already pressed into the control arm.

I have heard sketches that the aftermarket are now offering them but individuals have yet to figure out how to press them in correctly. You don't hear much about lower ball joints here in the forum but it is a topic I've wondered about for some time.

Do us a favor and report back when you get the work done. Verify that the separate BJ was indeed OEM Toyota and a part number if possible. I know I'll appreciate the info in the future when the dealer wants $500 per side for a lower control arm, plus $80 for bushings, plus $50 for alignment cams - that's $630 per ball joint for just parts.

 

Bump for an update to the lower ball joint issue.