EricHartley
New member
Hey so I noticed this today, figured I'd get some input from you guys.
Lower Ball Joint on its way out?
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stir_fry_boy
New member
If loose, then replace. Jack the car up in the air with wheel on and see if you can move the rim/tire up and down.
I just replaced mine, and it was black and dirty with no grease though. I had difficulties at first, but once I had the right tools, it took me less than an hour to do one side. Make sure you have the right tools and it'll be super easy (I recommend renting out a kit from advance auto parts called the front end service kit because it gives you different sizes of tools).
When looking at my old ones with 250k miles, they weren't loose at all, but I thought'd I'd change it out to be on the safe side.
When looking at my old ones with 250k miles, they weren't loose at all, but I thought'd I'd change it out to be on the safe side.
EricHartley
New member
Thanks for the replies fella's.
Revelc, that's what I was thinking. I did jack up the truck and tested them by prying on them and neither were loose or had any play. (Only one side is showing grease)
I live up in Vancouver Canada and we have suddenly received a bit of a heat wave, ( now this is a stretch) but could it be the grease in the joints responding to the heat? Or do I sound like an idiot for thinking that haha.
The truck is at 245k kilometers (156k miles)
Revelc, that's what I was thinking. I did jack up the truck and tested them by prying on them and neither were loose or had any play. (Only one side is showing grease)
I live up in Vancouver Canada and we have suddenly received a bit of a heat wave, ( now this is a stretch) but could it be the grease in the joints responding to the heat? Or do I sound like an idiot for thinking that haha.
The truck is at 245k kilometers (156k miles)
Unner
New member
This. Do it now, spend the $180 on new Toyota parts and bolts. Rather than spend thousands later when your wheel falls off, rips your CV out, breaks your steering rack, destroys the fender, wheel, and tire and possibly you.
Rsmitty1183
New member
I second that. Do not buy anything but OEM. My drivers side lower ball joint just sheered off the other day. Luckily I was only turning into a parking lot so I wasn't going very fast. I had replaced that one two months ago with one I bought from Oreilly's. Thats less than two months from a ball joint without offroading, just driving to work and back. I called the dealers today and OEMs were about $130, wishing I had spent the money instead of trying to save.
Scramble
New member
Camelback is the cheapest & free shipping over $100. I paid around $87 each. They come with the castle nut but you have to buy the 4 (8 total) bolts separately.
Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping
Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping
Asaspades93
New member
I just ordered a new set after one broke on the trail. I ordered off of toyotapartznet.com since they offer a 10 percent discount. spent 200 on 12 bolts, both ball joints and an extended warranty, good for 36 months
Unner
New member
This is exactly what I did. I've placed 3 fairly large orders with them and never had an issue. They're great to deal with and the free shipping is awesome, though I believe it is only over $150.
SpidermanGeek
New member
OP is in Canada. He'll have to go with something like Toyota Parts Direct - Your Canadian Source For OEM Toyota Parts Online | Toyota Parts Direct
So it'll cost him:
1 JOINT ASSEMBLY, LOWER BALL, FRONT LEFT . JOINT,BALL 4334039465 $130.08
1 END SUB-ASSEMBLY, TIE ROD, RIGHT . END,TIE ROD 4504639335 $41.70
1 END SUB-ASSEMBLY, TIE ROD, LEFT . END,TIE ROD 4504739215 $41.70
1 JOINT ASSEMBLY, LOWER BALL, FRONT RIGHT . JOINT,BALL 4333039585 $130.08
8 BOLT . BOLT 9008010066 $1.49
That's $272.08 or $355.48 CAD depending on whether he does the OTREs too.
EricHartley
New member
Wow I can't thank you guys enough for the insight and the info as to where to buy parts! Hands down best forum out there!!
Colorado buff
New member
Agreed, everyone on here has been amazing! And to quote another member "the lower ball joints seem to be the Achilles heel of the 3rd gens."
Oem
