I just moved to a state that requires state vehicle inspections and failed due to ball joint issues on my 94 series 80…the test the inspector showed me was her jamming a giant pry bar looking thing under the right front tire and pressing on it causing a slight wobble to the wheel, and now, since I have looked thru the forum, it seems this is not an accurate diagnosis, can anyone offer any guesses as to what her diagnosis is really showing?
If it aint balljoints… what is it?
- Thread starter dogstar
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Did the inspector tell you your ball joint had failed, or are you just assuming that? 80 series wheels are bolted to the axle; there are no ball joints:
There are two bearings, upper and lower, that connect the hub to the axle; 45811F in the parts diagram above.
There are also two tailing arms, with bushings:
Without seeing what she did, it's hard to say what, if anything, is wrong.
Can you post a photo?
There are two bearings, upper and lower, that connect the hub to the axle; 45811F in the parts diagram above.
There are also two tailing arms, with bushings:
Without seeing what she did, it's hard to say what, if anything, is wrong.
Can you post a photo?
Wait, you don't have some kind of independent front suspension, do you?
Don't get too wrapped around the axle with the terminology. The inspector is using the generic term for the hinged joint your knuckle is pivoting about.
Ball Joint isn't the correct name, but the inspection method is the same when looking for worn Knuckle Bearings or King Pins. You jack the vehicle up so the tire and knuckle assembly is unloaded from the weight of the vehicle and you try to lift the tire with a pinch bar between the ground and the tire. If there is any movement, other than tire side wall deflection, the Knuckle Bearings (king pins, ball joints, whatever) could be worn and need to be replaced. I say "could be", because this movement can also be loose wheel bearings. To confirm it is, or isn't wheel bearings: Jack up a front wheel just enough to clear the ground. Grab the top of the tire at 12 o'clock and shake it in and out like it owes you money. If there is any movement or cluncking, its wheel bearings. Once you get those properly torqued then look at the knuckle bearings again.
In the image above, the knuckle bearings are labeled 4561 1F.
To confirm, follow the inspection method above with a helper running the pinch bar and you can crawl under the rig to see what is/isn't moving.
Ball Joint isn't the correct name, but the inspection method is the same when looking for worn Knuckle Bearings or King Pins. You jack the vehicle up so the tire and knuckle assembly is unloaded from the weight of the vehicle and you try to lift the tire with a pinch bar between the ground and the tire. If there is any movement, other than tire side wall deflection, the Knuckle Bearings (king pins, ball joints, whatever) could be worn and need to be replaced. I say "could be", because this movement can also be loose wheel bearings. To confirm it is, or isn't wheel bearings: Jack up a front wheel just enough to clear the ground. Grab the top of the tire at 12 o'clock and shake it in and out like it owes you money. If there is any movement or cluncking, its wheel bearings. Once you get those properly torqued then look at the knuckle bearings again.
In the image above, the knuckle bearings are labeled 4561 1F.
To confirm, follow the inspection method above with a helper running the pinch bar and you can crawl under the rig to see what is/isn't moving.
Would also check lower knuckle nuts. Known issue of coming loose
With the tire just clear of the ground, movement when shaking the tire 6-12 o'clock is likely wheel bearings.
Shake the tire 3-9 o'clock , movement is steering links, tierod joints etc ( if you've already confirmed wheel bearings have no movement).
Lifting the tire up- down with a pry bar, ball joints, or for the 80series, trunion bearings, or possibly loose lower knuckle studs & nuts.
- Thread starter
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hey, thank you very much for the quick education! I suspected she didnt have a clue about Land Cruisers and I will seek a more educated shop for a real diagnosis and repair…Thank You!
Ummm... that's not what I meant. I was trying to convey that it really doesn't matter what the tech called the worn part. Structurally its the same thing.
I was also attempting to show how to confirm her diagnosis.
I was also attempting to show how to confirm her diagnosis.