This ain't right, right?

Yikes! Unfortunately, I think you might need to replace all your balljoints, both upper & lower. It's not practical to change the rubber boot on a lower balljoints. With the amount of work it would take, you're better off (& safer) just replacing the whole balljoint. And don't put off replacing worn lower balljoints! Lower bj failure can be pretty catastrophic at higher speeds. Replacing the lowers is a pretty easy job. Lowrange Offroad & @Timmah! both have pretty good YouTube tutorials on how to do it. The uppers are a bit of a pita, though. You need a ball joint press, along with the right adapter that fits Toyota & Honda balljoints. Auto parts stores usually have the press, but sometimes they don't have the right adapters. From what I remember, the press cups that fit toyotas are usually rented as a separate kit from the actual press. And having done the uppers on my truck a few years back, taking out the whole steering knuckle from the truck and doing the press work on bench was the easiest way. Otherwise the angles get too awkward. And once you get the whole knuckle off, replacing both upper & lower bjs is pretty easy.

 

That looks really bad. Why would anyone install a cheap spacer lift? "You can pay me now, or pay me later". It'd be a mess if those LBJs fail.

At the risk of restarting the Lower Ball Joint discussion, I'll recommend all OEM replacement parts. Not cheap, but proven durability and longevity. Some may disagree. And remove that lift from your truck.

 

Thanks @TeeYoda I will have to attempt the ball joint repairs myself because of low funds, but I feel confident about it. I will no doubt feel more empowered after the videos you recommended.

 

Lower Balljoints

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfLvtEnX9qk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaQCb894F_M

 

Upper balljoint tutorials are harder to find. In this video, Timmy does an upper control arm/ball joint replacement with a Total Chaos setup, which is a bit different from the factory setup. But it will give you an idea of what needs to be done.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXjioXyZa_M

another vid, but for a sequoia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a29VKBcXgg0

Both the videos are a good illustration of what a pain the upper balljoint can be. Removing the whole knuckle from the truck & putting it in a vice grip makes this job so much easier.

 

^This.

Do not mess with those ball joints. Replace replace replace. Someone could get hurt. No bueno.

 

Exactly what I was about to say.

 

You can get into a set of Bilstein 5100s for around $200 and still use your stock coils.

 

If you can afford it, and while you have everything tore apart, I would upgrade to high-quality UCA's, LCA's and adjustable coil-overs. Camburg, Icon, TCA, King, etc...

 

catastrophic ball joint failure is imminent
ask me how I now...

lady said "yea I know I have been ignoring the weird sounds for a real long time"



preventative maintenance goes a long way

 

Good God don't you dare drive that thing until repaired!

 

That would be ideal, but I think you missed the part about "low funds."

 

My $0.02: I vote for rolling everything back to stock height and replacing those BJs with OEM parts. Being in Oahu, I'm sure there are plenty of places to go where you don't have to have a 3" lift.

 

factory parts can take a hell of a lot of abuse

even with a small spacer lift...

remember not all spacer lifts are the same, and not all spacer lifts are being wheeled hard enough to have catastrophic strut body failure...

can easily find some great deals on used factory take offs from someone who upgraded everything with aftermarket parts...

 

have you check if your taco qualifies for a safety recall for lower joints yet?
i had mine done back in april for free.
https://www.toyota.com/recall

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2002/TOYOTA/TACOMA/2%2520DR#recalls383

 

That's great!
I will definitely check into that upgrade@L_hampton.

 

@2BeersPlease yes, I agree and that's my plan. I don't actually wheel this truck much. We go out on the rocks to get to the fishing spots sometimes and the occasional rough dirt road, but I don't wheel it for fun. Oahu Is great for dirt bikes, but kind of sucks for off road enthusiasts of the 4x4 breed. That is unless you like lots of super slick red clay mud... Its no fun IMO. I don't even need a lift for where I go. The truck came to me this way.

 

MAHALO! I WILL CHECK THAT OUT TODAY!

 

In that case I'd bring it back to stock like mentioned (replace the stock upper arms with new ones that include the upper balljoint assembly), replace the lower balljoints, and ditch the spacer lift. Replace the shocks with Bilstein 5100s and if you decide you want some lift after all, all you need to do is adjust the 5100s to get the lift you want (in the front). You'd have to do an AAL or 3 in the rear to match.

 

Yep, sounds good @eon_blue