Bad ball joints

So my truck started squeaking and making lots of noise today, I thought it was the front shocks. Somebody in another Tacoma told me his did the same thing and the ball joints fell out. My truck has 265k on it so...Any idea how long I can drive on it, I ordered new ball joints from rock auto already

 

did you check with Toyota dealership for the safety recall on the ball joints?
i took mine and they replaced them for free.

 

I haven't but it's a 2000

 

Definitely go OEM Toyota balljoints.

There's been too many failures from aftermarket ones to risk saving less than $100.... but then again that's just my 2cents

 

Pretty easy to check your ball joints, this video shows how...

https://youtu.be/rteeAOQlrKY

If theres any play in them and/or they're leaking grease then it's time to change them out. At 265k I'd say you're way past due for new ones if they're still original. And yeah, I'd go with OEM Toyota ones. Heard too many bad stories of aftermarket ball joints going bad, and that's not a part that you want to have fail on you while you're driving...

 

265,000 miles. Know if they're the originals? If so, holy shit.

 

https://www.toyota.com/recall
just type your vin #

 

Just change them every 100k with OEM only balljoints. If they havent been done or havent that you know of change them its really not worth them breaking

 

I'll change them once I get them, just asking if I can drive for a few days without big risk

 

Because I've never done this before... my 3rd Gen 4Runner vin came up as LBJ recall. Do I just call and make the appointment and they do it for free? Does it come with an alignment as well? If so, I should probably go ahead and "invest" in a mild lift kit...

 

Yes, it will be covered under the recall. And yes, they'll do an alignment. I'd ask to be certain but when Toyota did my lower ball joints, an alignment was included as part of the service.

 

No , you can't!

 

Check your tie rods also. With so many miles the noise could be coming from them too. They are not expensive and you already there so if I was u I'd change them too. Inner and outer.

 

These were the ones that the dealer told me I needed for my 2000 Tacoma 4wd.

$190 43330-39815 Toyota Genuine Parts - Joint Assy, Lwr Ball (43330-39815)

43330-39815 and

$166 43340-39585 Toyota Genuine Parts - Joint Assy, Lwr Ball (43340-39585)

43340-39585. I ordered them today and they came to just under $200 delivered from partznet.com. This included a 10% off discount that I think ended today.

 

My ball joints are still original ball joints at 123k. My Tacoma isn't applicable for the recall. I've heard many mechanics say there is no reason to change them out knowing how reliable tacomas are.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

I'm also about to put a ome lift on and bigger tires. Input is appreciated.

 

Guys preventatively change them because the way the factory LBJ is designed, when it fails it fails catastrophically. If your going down the road with any amount of speed real bad things happen.

If they have any amount of slop/play they need to be replaced. Adding larger tires and off road miles only adds to the stresses they see.

 

I changed mine at 130k since I was already tearing apart everything for the lift and bushings. never had an issue but figured since I was in there might as well. I did go with OEM for the lowers. couldn't get the uppers in time so I have Moogs for now.

 

I have 240k on my 2001 Tacoma and have changed the ball joints twice. Once at around 160k and at 235k "they were still tight at 235". I went aftermarket 555 both times and have not had any issues. I feel like the 555 brands are fine, but if you are worried just go OEM. What I usually tell people when they say OEM is the only way to fly is that "OEM was the original ball joint that had failure issues". Have the ball joints checked at regular maintenance schedules and you shouldn't have any issues.

If you have creaking/grinding I would change them immediately. My uncle had one popping/creaking on his 99 4x4 a couple weeks ago. I crawled under his truck and pinpointed it was a passenger side LBJ "told him he should change it out before he drove anymore" and he said it would be ok for a week or so..... This photo was the next day...

 

What about if I bought a full front end kit? It includes upper and lower ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends, stabilizer bar link, and lower control arms. All moog parts, my friend has a 3.0 4x4 and it seems to take a lot more abuse than my truck and I'm hoping that this would help.

 

Agree with everyone saying to only go OEM. There is a thread somewhere where some one cut moot and OEM in half and compared the cross sections. The moog joints shouldn't even be legal to sell.