Check those front balljoints..........

[Tim McBride]

Check those front ball joints....(Or how procrastination leads to failure)

Wow, using Christmas vacation to rebuild the entire front suspension now.
Any advice for while I am already into it?

 

[ICD]

Man sorry to see but glad to hear your ok.

How fast were you going?

As far a replacement goes, oem everything.

 

[Kung]

Were they old LBJs or replacements? How many miles on 'em?

Glad you're OK.

 

[lilsid112]

Also would like to know milage on those.

 

[Tim McBride]

198k on the truck. From the looks of them, OEM parts. They appear to be original.
I was going about 50mph

 

[downpour11]

Yeah you were a good 100k miles overdue for new ball joints lol. Glad you're ok, could've been wayyy worse.

 

[Tim McBride]

I already have a set of MOOG Upper and lower ball joints. I had planned on doing them soon, just been busy with work.

Tearing into stuff I am going to replace the
Control Arm Bushings, upper and lower
Sway Bar Bushings and Links
Left and right Half Shafts
And more then likely the right lower control arm. The CA is what the truck ended up riding on most of the way, the bolt and nut wear ground off and into the CA. Thinking of just buying a new one also.

Any other parts while I am into everything?

 

[HCurphy]

you'll need an alignment after right?

how are you're tie-rods? steering rack bushings? rack guide?

 

[Drcoffee]

Well while you are in there, go ahead and replace the Radiator too. If you missed the multitude of LBJ threads, there's a good chance you didn't see any about the strawberry Milkshakes either.

Glad you weren't hurt.

By the way. Moog is crap. Return them and buy OEM. too many members who used non-OEM LBJs have had them die in 20-30,000 miles.

 

[lilsid112]

198k on the truck. From the looks of them, OEM parts. They appear to be original.
I was going about 50mph

Thanks for the info. My father is hitting 210k on his 99 and he's the original owner. I recently ordered a new radiator, hoses, and fluids for his 210k service but I might as well add this on the list.

Anybody have part numbers for a 99 2.7L?

 

[Tim McBride]

you'll need an alignment after right?

how are you're tie-rods? steering rack bushings? rack guide?

Tie rods, And all the steering components seem fine, I'll have to price them and make a decision on replacement versus wait.
And yes on the immediate alignment.

 

[Tim McBride]

Well while you are in there, go ahead and replace the Radiator too. If you missed the multitude of LBJ threads, there's a good chance you didn't see any about the strawberry Milkshakes either.

Glad you weren't hurt.

Yep, plan on doing the radiator, Water pump, timing components, and such. Also have the parts needed for the separate transmission cooler.


I did see the threads, I even ordered the ball joints. The biggest flaw for me was I kept putting off doing the work because I needed the truck for work and school.
My fault, stupid hurts.

 

[Tim McBride]

Parts order...$800...Yikes. Good thing I already bought the kids their Christmas Presents

 

[ConstantFix]

oh jeeze. i always fear a ball joint failure. i baby mine, just bought upper and lowers. spending 400 and ball joints can be the difference between replacing a shock and strut assembly, steering arm. upper and lower control arms. fenders, rims, cv joints. ****. alot of damage can be caused by ball joints deciding to "hit the road" i used to run a flatbed wrecker. ive towed alot of cars because of ball joint failure.

 

[Gerdo]

198k on the truck. From the looks of them, oem parts. They appear to be original.
I was going about 50mph

moog is crap. Return them and buy oem. Too many members who used non-oem lbjs have had them die in 20-30,000 miles.

oem only!

 

[Tim McBride]

Interestingly enough it took 3 tow companies until I found one that was willing to recover the vehicle and not damage things farther.

As to the Moog Ball joints; I bought them over 6 months ago intending to fix things before this happened, So there is no way I can return them. I may just have to bite the bullet and order a new set and sell the Moogs on CL or something.

Best place online for OEM Suspension parts?

 

[shadow247]

Just put the Moog's in man. I have put them on plenty of other vehicles in the past. I am running ACDelco Value Line that were 30 bucks each with my dealership discount. If I only get 20k out of them I can still replace them 5 times for the amount they want for Toyota Ball-joints. If they were really as crappy as certain people here claim they are, then you would hear about major problems with them. I would rather replace my Inner/Outer Tie rods, and LBJs with ACdelco parts for the cost of 2 LBJ's from Toyota.

 

[Stick Figure]

I've found a couple of cheaper dealers, but nobody with better service when you have questions or need something looked up:

LithiaToyotaParts.com

When I needed parts for the manual trans in my Spyder I emailed them and two other dealers regarding the part numbers I needed to place the order. They were the only ones that even took the time to email me back. They have sense helped me out on another transmission order (long story) and my latest 4Runner order.

 

[Ronin1082]

Interestingly enough it took 3 tow companies until I found one that was willing to recover the vehicle and not damage things farther./QUOTE]

No shock. It is one of ten hardest tows to do. I've been towing for 16+/- years and still can't stand them! Rather get kicked in the ball joint than tow one!

As far as the previous post about replacing over and over with Moog, you willing to put your family in harms way cause you went the cheap route? No offense but I would rather pay for quality.

 

[shadow247]

Interestingly enough it took 3 tow companies until I found one that was willing to recover the vehicle and not damage things farther./QUOTE]

No shock. It is one of ten hardest tows to do. I've been towing for 16+/- years and still can't stand them! Rather get kicked in the ball joint than tow one!

As far as the previous post about replacing over and over with Moog, you willing to put your family in harms way cause you went the cheap route? No offense but I would rather pay for quality.

Yeah I understand that argument. I am also pro-active with maintenance and check over the front end constantly. I seriously doubt the ball-joint is just going to fail without showing any signs of wear. I'm sure all the failures we have seen could have been prevented simply by jacking up the front-end and putting a pry bar in the arm and checking for play.