Can bad lower ball joints cause inner tire wear?

[Friday88]

I just went and looked at a 98 4runner with 198k miles and locking rear diff to see if I wanted to buy it. The front tires were both bald on the inside edge, and one was showing threads in one spot. Obviously this would signify an alignment issue, and when I drove it, it consistently drifted left when I'd let my hands off the wheel which I think confirmed this.

I didn't buy the truck because if the front tires are that far destroyed, either the owner didn't care, or there was a chronic alignment issue caused by worn part.

But I'm wondering if bad lower ball joints cause that problem, and if not what worn part would? I'm trying to learn more about troubleshooting these vehicles since I'm in the market to buy one again. I' assuming lower balljoint since that's a common thing.

 

[southTX4r]

I just bought a 97 with 215k miles. Same problem. I held my breath at the alignment shop, sure they would tell me I need ball joints or bushings. They said it was way out of alignment and went back in fine. A new set of tires and it rides like a dream.

Now, the question is will it stay in alignment...

I should add... This one didn't drift left. It tracked straight, but was shaky over 60 mph.

 

[Friday88]

I just bought a 97 with 215k miles. Same problem. I held my breath at the alignment shop, sure they would tell me I need ball joints or bushings. They said it was way out of alignment and went back in fine. A new set of tires and it rides like a dream.

Now, the question is will it stay in alignment...

I should add... This one didn't drift left. It tracked straight, but was shaky over 60 mph.

So it's not shaky now? I just couldn't believe the tire damage on this thing because the rest of the tread looked great and the tires weren't that old. If something isn't broken, a super negligent person owned it.

 

[LittleCaesar]

It is a bad alignment. Parts can be replaced. If the 4runner goes for cheap, why not buy it if everything else is good?

 

[Friday88]

It is a bad alignment. Parts can be replaced. If the 4runner goes for cheap, why not buy it if everything else is good?

Other issues I noticed:
VERY stiff gas pedal. Like pressing on a wooden block.
Brakes required a lot of travel to stop
Parking Brake was loose or worn
Brake hoses dry rotted need to be replaced which is normal
tail gate handle didn't work
tires obviously need to be replaced
coolant was brown so that needs to be changed.


I'd be comfortable fixing all that stuff, but add on an alignment and a bunch of ball joint/bushing stuff and it just seems like more trouble than it's worth just to get a model that includes the fabled rear diff lock. Cosmetically it was fine and all the windows/electronic stuff worked though. Being an arizona vehicle there was no rust either. Asking price was $4500 and I'd rather pay $3500

 

[LittleCaesar]

That is high. If neglect is that obvious, who knows if the timing belt has ever been changed.

I could deal with everything but the brown coolant, which would have me walking away.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I just went and looked at a 98 4runner with 198k miles and locking rear diff to see if I wanted to buy it. The front tires were both bald on the inside edge, and one was showing threads in one spot. Obviously this would signify an alignment issue, and when I drove it, it consistently drifted left when I'd let my hands off the wheel which I think confirmed this.

I didn't buy the truck because if the front tires are that far destroyed, either the owner didn't care, or there was a chronic alignment issue caused by worn part.

But I'm wondering if bad lower ball joints cause that problem, and if not what worn part would? I'm trying to learn more about troubleshooting these vehicles since I'm in the market to buy one again. I' assuming lower balljoint since that's a common thing.

Needs an alignment and new suspension parts, such as coils. Common issue for a neglected vehicle.

 

[Mark_BC]

Maybe it has the same problem as this guy

 

[AntleredRuin]

Well you should replace the LBJs anyways on ANY 4runner you buy. Bad alignment will be the least of your issues when your wheel falls off.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[St Runner]

200k and 20 years old. Thats about the time to start rebuilding the whole front end. The tread wear is a good indicator of poor maintenance. The only decision you can really make is wether it is worth the selling price. The odds of finding "the one" are slim to none these days. Its more a question of is the price worth what I will have to do it.

 

[Friday88]

200k and 20 years old. Thats about the time to start rebuilding the whole front end. The tread wear is a good indicator of poor maintenance. The only decision you can really make is wether it is worth the selling price. The odds of finding "the one" are slim to none these days. Its more a question of is the price worth what I will have to do it.

I'm beginning to realize this is true. The last one I bought was in great shape mechanically. I didn't realize how good that truck actually was until it got totaled and I'm looking again. That being said, this truck I initially posted about sold the next day. So Somebody saw something in it I didn't.

I don't mind eventually replacing things like lower ball joints, but I was hoping to wait another year when I was ready to install taller suspension.

 

[Friday88]

That is high. If neglect is that obvious, who knows if the timing belt has ever been changed.

I could deal with everything but the brown coolant, which would have me walking away.

Yeah that was a bit of a red flag. The guy said he bought it from the original owner and he had only had it for 3 months. I think it's a bit odd for an original owner to be neglecting their vehicle like that though.

 

[phattyduck]

Maybe it has the same problem as this guy

That doesn't look like a problem, that looks like a solution!

-Charlie

 

[Amonk1]

If you encounter another 4runner with rear gate handle issues, you can often get it open by pushing the license plate in towards the front of the vehicle while you lift up. Spraying the latch mechanism with some Pb Blaster and slamming it a couple dozen times got me back to a fully functional handle.

 

[KeninSC]

Throw a low ball price at him and see if you can get it for a deal.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I'm beginning to realize this is true. The last one I bought was in great shape mechanically. I didn't realize how good that truck actually was until it got totaled and I'm looking again. That being said, this truck I initially posted about sold the next day. So Somebody saw something in it I didn't.

I don't mind eventually replacing things like lower ball joints, but I was hoping to wait another year when I was ready to install taller suspension.

Yeah, I got a "good" one and I've replaced lower ball joints, upper ball joints, tie rods, steering rack, coils, struts, shocks and sway bar bushings.

If you want it to last as long as the engine, they all tend to wear out at about 200k.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Well you should replace the LBJs anyways on ANY 4runner you buy. Bad alignment will be the least of your issues when your wheel falls off.

Yes. (like this) Or at the very least inspect and test it. It is a simple, free and quick procedure just using a jack and the jack handle or pry-bar. Little example here:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/njCvbHl1Fu8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Friday88]

Yes. (like this) Or at the very least inspect and test it. It is a simple, free and quick procedure just using a jack and the jack handle or pry-bar. Little example here:

I know I should test it, but showing up to a persons house with a jack and all that seems a bit much lol

 

[RAD4Runner]

I know I should test it, but showing up to a persons house with a jack and all that seems a bit much lol

The jack and handles are included with the truck
Inspect, at least. Before I took my video I merely looked and immediately saw that the cotter pin was missing, and the nut had already started to come off.

 

[Friday88]

Inspect, at least. In my video I saw right away that the cotter pin was missing, and the nut had already started to come off.

Oh yeah, leaning down to visually inspect it is too easy not to do