Need some help: Ball joints and more

[UARandy3]

I've already done a good bit of searching but need a little more help. 2000 4runner w/ ~185k miles, lifted ~1 year.

Last week I jacked the truck up to fix my squeaky brakes. After I let her down and started driving I noticed the steering felt significantly looser than before. Unfortunately I was on the way to help with tornado relief efforts over an hour away. When we arrived, I looked under the truck to check things out and noticed that the lower ball joints were both leaking grease (I also had this issue right after my lift was installed but had no issues after alignment). This made for a very nervous drive home that evening, especially with the recent failures we've seen on the board lately.

The steering felt really loose and just driving on the interstate, every bump was throwing it off track. There's a good bit of play in the steering even when it is tracking straight. :driving:

SO, I'm planning to replace both LBJs with OEM parts. While I was checking things out after getting home, I had my wife turn the steering to both sides and watched the rack. I definitely need to also replace the steering rack bushings bc there's a lot of play, especially towards full lock.

My question is: while I'm replacing the LBJs and steering rack bushings, what else should I do to keep from having to get under there again anytime soon? Should I worry with the uppers too (hear they're a PITA)? I think I will go ahead and replace the outer tie rods as well and maybe the sway bar links too since the bushings look terrible.

Thanks for any help! :shrug:

 

[attitudeofgratitud]

Check the inner tie rods. I've seen those goes bad more than the outers. I'm not saying the outers aren't bad though.

 

[UARandy3]

Check the inner tie rods. I've seen those goes bad more than the outers. I'm not saying the outers aren't bad though.

Thanks man. I hadn't really checked the inners so I went out this afternoon and did some more searching and looking. I pulled the boot covering the inner tie rods and did some wiggling and feeling. I didn't feel any play in them though, so I think I will leave them alone.

I did the 12-6 and 3-9 tests to try to help isolate the issue more. When I pushed/pulled at 12 and 6, I didn't feel any play really. So I inspected the upper and lower ball joints to be sure. The uppers' boots all looked good, no leaking or tears or anything. The lowers were BOTH leaking a good bit of grease, and like I mentioned in the OP, they leaked a good bit after my lift too. So I feel like it's only a matter of time before they dry up and fail.
When I did the push/pull at 3 and 9, I had a LOT of play (well, I thought it was a lot bc any is a lot to me in this case). I could see the steering rack moving even with that bit of force (steering rack bushings are on order). Then I inspected the tie rods, no issues with the inners noticed. When I would maneuver the outers, I noticed grease seeping from around the boots.

While I was under there, I checked out as many bushings as I could too. I pulled the sway bar and the sway bar links. My driver link looked like it was in rough shape and bent a little. Sway bar and link bushings all will be replaced.

Originally, I had worked up a list to do steering rack bushings, LBJs, UBJs, outer tie rods, and maybe inner tie rods. Now I think I've narrowed it down to just LBJs, steering rack bushings, outer tie rods, and sway bar/link bushings.
Do my findings make sense or are there any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

 

[maxspeed96ct]

My truck feels alittle loose on bumps and etc, and I just replaced my lower ball joints and outter tie rods. I think you should look into replacing the inner te rods.

Keep us updated on what you find.

 

[UARandy3]

My truck feels alittle loose on bumps and etc, and I just replaced my lower ball joints and outter tie rods. I think you should look into replacing the inner te rods.

Keep us updated on what you find.

So you've already replaced the LBJs and outer TREs? How long did it take, and did you have any difficulties? Have any tips?
I went back out and took the boots off again since my wife got home. I got her to go lock to lock with the steering. The inner tie rods look good and had ZERO play in them.
I feel pretty good that the rack bushings are going to make the biggest difference bc you can see the entire rack move a significant amount. So much movement that I had my wife (who knows nothing about vehicles) look at it and didn't tell her what to look for while I turned the steering, and she said "is it supposed to move like that?" haha. Plus with the busted boots on the LBJs and outer tie rods leaking grease, they will be replaced.
Also, I came across the thread about the steering rack guide, but I don't have that kind of play in the guide like the video shows.
Hoping all this will help.......it def can't hurt :moping:

 

[Volley]

Definitely don't sleep on those LBJ, can be dangerous if they go

 

[UARandy3]

Definitely don't sleep on those LBJ, can be dangerous if they go

Yeah definitely not gonna sleep on those...they're in my cart on toyotapartsales.com already. Just making sure what all else to check on before I place my final order through them. I've already been able to rule out a few things over the past few evenings that I thought might need replacing (and found a few surprises). Regardless, she's staying parked for a couple weeks til I can get everything done....especially with all the recent LBJ disasters. Luckily we have 2 other good vehicles and the runner is my night and weekend vehicle.

 

[Ape Runner]

I just did my endlinks front and rear and lower ball joints. Endlinks were unbelievably easy and lower ball joints we barely more difficult that those. Here's the write up I followed. I didn't touch the inner or outer TRE's. I still need to do the upper ball joints. I used all OEM parts. Get the tools described in the write-up from your local auto parts store on loaner.

Also posting a link on proper torque specs.

R&R Upper and Lower Ball Joints - TTORA Forum
TTORA - Torque Specifications - Faq

 

[UARandy3]

I just did my endlinks front and rear and lower ball joints. Endlinks were unbelievably easy and lower ball joints we barely more difficult that those. Here's the write up I followed. I didn't touch the inner or outer TRE's. I still need to do the upper ball joints. I used all OEM parts. Get the tools described in the write-up from your local auto parts store on loaner.

Also posting a link on proper torque specs.

R&R Upper and Lower Ball Joints - TTORA Forum
TTORA - Torque Specifications - Faq

Nice. Thanks! I have that write up saved, but def needed the torque specs. I just put in my order with my local dealership and parts should be here tomorrow. I was going to order from Toyotapartsales.com but they said the driver LBJ was going to take a few days longer to get in, then shipping time here (could be a while before I get parts). So I called my local dealership and asked if they would price match, and they were able to get pretty close to the price shipped that it would have cost if I ordered like I was planning.
I pulled my endlinks bc the bushings are shot, and it turns out one was bent and look pretty bad, so it's good to know the LBJs aren't much harder bc the endlinks were cake haha. I'm holding out on the Upper ball joints though bc they appear and feel to be in good shape (same with inner tie rods). AND since I'll be under there, I'm going to install a tranny cooler. Expensive couple of days but soon I'll be back on the road with confidence haha :driving:

Thanks again for the link!