Ball joint problem (possibly) (1 Viewer)

[deerhunter1557]

All of the rubber boots that cover my ball joints are coming off in pieces. The one on my driver side lower ball joint is pretty much gone.

I noticed they were squeaking over the weekend so i figured they needed to be greased or somthing. When I took a look I was shocked.

From what I understand the ball joints are non-serviceable, but is it possible that the yota dealer could just replace the boots if they ball joints themselves are not gone?

 

[100 TD]

If the boots are already gone then crap will be in them, I would suggest changing them instead of replacing boots as you will be wasting money otherwise. The joints are replaceable, tops and bottoms, do a search and you will find info on others who have changed them.
EDIT - Don't go to the toyota dealer, they will replace the entire arms ant a huge expense.

 

[spressomon]

FWIW: One of my boots was torn so I bought the Toyota boot kit. The ball was rusty but I was shocked, after flushing it thoroughly with brake cleaner, to get it and the socket in pretty decent shape. Put new grease, the new boot and retainer and it was good to go for several years of pounding.

This might be worth your time and the relatively low cost of the boot kit if you can DIY.

Otherwise as above you'll need to replace the ball joint or if you are going to have the dealer do the work they will want to replace the entire lower control arm with the integral ball joint.

 

[deerhunter1557]

I dont have the skills or means to replace these things myself. My dad will cover the bill for whatever is broken so I will probably just take it to the dealer. Will it be safe to drive for a week or so until I can get it in the shop?

 

[2000UZJ]

I dont have the skills or means to replace these things myself. My dad will cover the bill for whatever is broken so I will probably just take it to the dealer. Will it be safe to drive for a week or so until I can get it in the shop?

find a shop in this list and see what they can do before taking it to a stealership! Probably none on the list are very close to columbia, but if the overall cost is substantially less. Drive there and let them do the work. I'm sure LCA's are pretty pricey.

South Carolina

Toyota Techs
2788 Hwy 21 Business
Ford Mill, SC 29715
(704) 377-9333
Review: Heard good things for a while about these guys and finally had some service done there earlier this year. Reasonable prices and good job.


Terry McIntosh
McIntosh Imports
(843) 388-1558
875 N Lansing Dr # D
Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Review: He and his wife run the shop. Toyota/Lexus certified. Honest to a fault.

Ralph Hayes Toyota
3525 Clemson Blvd.
Anderson, SC 29623
Review: Rick and Greg are awesome there
Rick is our UC sponsor for the carolinas

LexTech Automotive LLC
Glenn McAdory
1533 Folly Rd., Unit E-2
Charleston, S.C. 29412
In the Folly Road Business Park
ph. 225-5191
fax. 225-5195
http://www.lextechautomotivellc.com/...harleston.html
Review: Glenn is a member of Lowcountry Land Cruisers (sub chapter of Upstate Cruisers)and does outstanding work for a very very fair price....He owns a 40 and two 80s...plus has a couple 40s, a 55 and a 60 in his lot right now working on them.

Sparks Toyota-Scion
4855 Highway 501
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
Phone:843-236-2161
Toll Free:866 249-3607
Fax:843-236-5764
TRD Toyota-Scion Performance Parts Accessories from Sparks Toyota-Scion
Review: SPARKS TRD is a great source of parts. They are the official sponsor for Lowcountry Land Cruisers and do a big mail order business for us cruiser heads..worldwide.

 

[deerhunter1557]

find a shop in this list and see what they can do before taking it to a stealership! Probably none on the list are very close to columbia, but if the overall cost is substantially less. Drive there and let them do the work. I'm sure LCA's are pretty pricey.

South Carolina

If it were up to me I would try to get away without spending to much money but my dad thinks the only people who are worthy of working on a 100 are the people who work at Toyota "stealership".

Since I dont have to pay for it I will just let my dad do what he wants with my truck.

Another question. Do the UCA's have to be replaced if the upper ball joints go bad?

 

[2000UZJ]

didn't read the thread but the first page.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/224736-lower-ball-joints.html

maybe that will give you some clarification on what you need replaced and what not

 

[deerhunter1557]

didn't read the thread but the first page.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/224736-lower-ball-joints.html

maybe that will give you some clarification on what you need replaced and what not

I read this earlier. I just don't really have the time or the tools for that sort of install. Hopefully the yota dealer can get everything set straight. My dad wont trust anything that does not come from a dealer so I have no choice but to go to the dealer.

Now I just really need to know is whether or not it is safe to drive around for a while until I can get it into the shop.

 

[NMuzj100]

I'd say you are fine to drive around for a while. Slee mentioned that they start to complain loudly when really bad.

Another question. Do the UCA's have to be replaced if the upper ball joints go bad?

No. The joint can be removed and a new one pressed in.

Toyota doesn't sell just the joint but they are only available aftermarket. Toyota prefers to sell the whole UCA rather than just the wear part.

Lower Ball Joint thread w/ bonus Upper Ball Joint hijack

2000uzj - LexTech looks great.

 

[deerhunter1557]

So will I be able to tell if the ball joints fail? What are the symptoms of failing ball joints?

 

[2000UZJ]

post that pic you showed me on here. Maybe some photos would help let people how bad it is.

 

[spressomon]

So will I be able to tell if the ball joints fail? What are the symptoms of failing ball joints?

If the ball joint were to break, which I would think under normal driving would be a very rare event (but having said that rust effects on plain steel accelerated by salt water can be quite significant), the lower control arm would drop away from the steering knuckle. There surely would be a damage multiplier if the ball joint failed.

FYI: I'm sure you already realize this but when I know a part needs to be replaced it is never in the best interest of anyone to procrastinate the repair. Everything else is just guesswork regarding how safe, unsafe or if the vehicle can continue to be driven with or without minimal risk of failure. When a part is worn or needs to be replaced on anything related to steering and front suspension I especially take a prudent approach to getting it fixed ASAP.

Just my $.02 and maybe all its worth

 

[Cruiserdrew]

When a part is worn or needs to be replaced on anything related to steering and front suspension I especially take a prudent approach to getting it fixed ASAP.

Dude-It's your steering. You are driving a 5000 pound missile. It sounds like your dad is smart enough to tell you to get it fixed right. This is not a place to take chances as Spresso says.

 

[deerhunter1557]

post that pic you showed me on here. Maybe some photos would help let people how bad it is.

I will take some decent pictures tomorrow.

 

[deerhunter1557]

When a part is worn or needs to be replaced on anything related to steering and front suspension I especially take a prudent approach to getting it fixed ASAP.

Just my $.02 and maybe all its worth

I am going to get this thing fixed as soon as I possibly can, I am just trying to reasure myself that it wont blow up on me during the next 2-4 days before I can get it sidelined and fixed.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

So will I be able to tell if the ball joints fail? What are the symptoms of failing ball joints?

You might get a hint if it fails:

 

[100 TD]

Hey that's not a 100, don't scare the **** out of him! Yeah I know it happens. Post a link to the pictures of utah62? photos of his rusted joints that didn't fall out.

 

[wareagle]

FYI, I've not heard many complaints on this board, but most lifted IFS vehicles will eat balljoint boots. daystar sells poly ball joint covers. They are sold by size, not vehicle model. If you do replace, i would suggest OEM or spicer parts. I snapped a couple sets of the cheapo models. On a land cruiser a trail fix is a bit tough unless you're really good at using a hilift as a press.

 

[Utahfj62]

Hey that's not a 100, don't scare the **** out of him! Yeah I know it happens. Post a link to the pictures of utah62? photos of his rusted joints that didn't fall out.

Here is the link https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/318386-upper-control-arms-ball-joints-destroyed.html

My ball joint boots were ripped too. They squeaked like a SOB and there was 2 inches of play. Mine were severely worn and were close to failing. THey didn't fall out but were not far from doing so. I still have them and could easily pull the worn ball joints out with a pair of pliers. I'm from the school of thinking of "Don't mess around - replace them." Guy in our local club had a failure on his tacoma in his neighborhood driving 20 mph and it was bad and could have been disastrous if it occurred at freeway speeds.

Everything you have described is dead on to what I experienced. Take a look at the photos in the link.

 

[deerhunter1557]

Here is the link https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/318386-upper-control-arms-ball-joints-destroyed.html

My ball joint boots were ripped too. They squeaked like a SOB and there was 2 inches of play. Mine were severely worn and were close to failing. THey didn't fall out but were not far from doing so. I still have them and could easily pull the worn ball joints out with a pair of pliers. I'm from the school of thinking of "Don't mess around - replace them." Guy in our local club had a failure on his tacoma in his neighborhood driving 20 mph and it was bad and could have been disastrous if it occurred at freeway speeds.

Everything you have described is dead on to what I experienced. Take a look at the photos in the link.

I'm pretty sure mine are not that bad but they are close. I am going to take some pictures this afternoon.

The truck is going to the shop tomorrow so hopefully it will hold up until then.