Ball joint weirdness

Squiddy · 02-05-2007, 12:10 PM

So, I went to the shop (normally trustworthy, but starting to suspect not so great at complex stuff) and asked to do alignment. They said they couldn't as lower ball joints were bad. These had in fact been replaced by Toyota about 3000 miles previously (during steering rod recall), so I took it back to Toyota dealership, who looked it all over and said (at pain of owing me a lot of dough if anything goes wrong) all looked fine, and were stumped. Looks fine to me too. Any ideas? This all occurred after putting in new shocks, sway bars, bushings, tires, etc.

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

gonzo · 02-05-2007, 12:45 PM

Why not just have the dealer do it?
I wouldn't trust that shop if they can't tell if a balljoint or anything else is good or bad. LOL

JEBSR5 · 02-05-2007, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiddy

So, I went to the shop (normally trustworthy, but starting to suspect not so great at complex stuff) and asked to do alignment. They said they couldn't as lower ball joints were bad. These had in fact been replaced by Toyota about 3000 miles previously (during steering rod recall), so I took it back to Toyota dealership, who looked it all over and said (at pain of owing me a lot of dough if anything goes wrong) all looked fine, and were stumped. Looks fine to me too. Any ideas? This all occurred after putting in new shocks, sway bars, bushings, tires, etc.

I'm with Gonzo, just have the dealer align and you should be good to go, unless we missed something. Is it pulling or drifting that you forgot to tell us.

MudHippy · 02-05-2007, 03:03 PM

Loose wheel bearings, caused by the spindle lock-nut backing off, will represent as a bad lower ball joint. If you have tools, it's not hard to check if that's the case. However, you'll need a spindle nut socket to tighten it back down. Torques are all specific, don't mess around there, either.

Squiddy · 02-06-2007, 07:29 AM

Well, the dealer was the one that gave it the re-once-over and swears all is fine with the ball joints, and aligned. What I was interested in is really represented by the last post - i.e. "other stuff" that might be presenting the same way.

MMA_Alex · 02-06-2007, 08:29 AM

I was told the same thing when I went for an inspection last year, but upon closer inspection it was indeed determined to be the bearing torque.

You can check the balljoints yourself by jacking the front end up, and holding the wheel at 12, and 6, and attempting to wiggle it. If it wiggles theres an issue.

Squiddy · 02-07-2007, 07:31 AM

Well, once the thermometer climbs above frozen-solid will check the spindle thingies. I had done the wheel wobble before and was not impressed...

02-05-2007, 12:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
gonzo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rochester, NH Posts: 264	Why not just have the dealer do it? I wouldn't trust that shop if they can't tell if a balljoint or anything else is good or bad. LOL __________________ 88 Toyota pu 4x4 22re 5spd. 4:88's, 2-1/2" exhaust from cat back, 3" BL. 33x12.5 thornbirds for play, 35 conti-trac for everyday. 10K winch. Pioneer with 4" kenwoods in front, 6-1/2 MTX's in rear on a 600W amp and 12" sub on a kenwood 120W amp. 600w power inverter. 91 Toyota pu 4.3 Vortec 5spd.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
ball joint spacer	TheGhost	Newbie Tech Section	4	07-15-2007 09:03 AM
New here and need help with upper ball joint	Stal	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	7	07-15-2006 08:12 AM
lower ball joint	Thrillbilly	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	2	06-27-2006 06:40 PM
Ball joint spacers???	4unner4life	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	1	03-02-2005 02:11 PM
Anyone have ball joint problems ??	carose725	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	0	07-27-2004 07:42 PM

02-05-2007, 03:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
MudHippy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Realm Of Fecal Cohesion Posts: 2,014	Loose wheel bearings, caused by the spindle lock-nut backing off, will represent as a bad lower ball joint. If you have tools, it's not hard to check if that's the case. However, you'll need a spindle nut socket to tighten it back down. Torques are all specific, don't mess around there, either.

02-06-2007, 07:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
Squiddy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 343	Well, the dealer was the one that gave it the re-once-over and swears all is fine with the ball joints, and aligned. What I was interested in is really represented by the last post - i.e. "other stuff" that might be presenting the same way.

02-06-2007, 08:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
MMA_Alex Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Downeast, ME/Rochester, NY Posts: 1,421	I was told the same thing when I went for an inspection last year, but upon closer inspection it was indeed determined to be the bearing torque. You can check the balljoints yourself by jacking the front end up, and holding the wheel at 12, and 6, and attempting to wiggle it. If it wiggles theres an issue.

02-07-2007, 07:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
Squiddy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 343	Well, once the thermometer climbs above frozen-solid will check the spindle thingies. I had done the wheel wobble before and was not impressed...