Early failure of ball joints ans steering rack

[hkeller]

Just bought a 2004 with 65K miles on it. It looks brand new and has had all recommended maintenance. What would cause it to be on its third set of ball joints and its second steering rack? That can't be normal. It is totally stock and appears not to have been wheeled (no scratches underneath).

How do I fix a typo in the threat title? Ugh.

 

[2000UZJ]

Smooth service advisor and gullible previous owner?

Any previous accidents? It doesn't always hit carfax.

 

[hkeller]

Maybe. It has had some paint work, but everything looks to be in good shape. The rack on it now is bad and being replaced; it was leaking and wandered all over. Also, replacement, aftermarket ball joints were puking grease.

 

[2000UZJ]

It's had paintwork, and they used aftermarket ball joints?

Is this the second rack that is leaking (and being replaced by a third)? Can you pull the service history and see if it was new or reman?

Seems like it may of been hit, paint works, 65K with aftermarket ball joints and a new steering rack seems like it may of been in a low speed impact.

 

[hkeller]

Could be. Appears to be third set of ball joints going in and only second rack.

 

[hkeller]

may avatar is making me hungry.

 

[mcgaskins]

Considering I have a 98 that gets wheeled relatively often and has 129k miles on it and is on the original rack and ball joints with zero issues, I'd say it sounds like it was in a wreck and they replaced the stuff with lesser quality aftermarkets.

 

[DMX84]

It could have slid into a curb hard during a snow storm. Would explain why no body damage or evidence of wheeling on your mall cruiser.
Could have been fixed using cheap parts?