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Broken Ball Joint .. what else needs to be changed?

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  • Broken Ball Joint .. what else needs to be changed?

    Hi everyone,

    The front left lower ball joint failed on my '99 SWB Prado in the middle of nowhere this weekend after about 4 hours of pounding on rocky trails. I was really lucky insofar that I felt the steering getting heavy so I stopped and turned the wheels a few times while parked. The power steering was stiff, shuddering as the wheels turned before going "bang" and the from left of the car dropping off. Getting under the car I could see the front left ball joint had failed and lower wishbone had fallen to the ground.

    The car is getting on (170'000km) but the engine has plenty of life in it yet, so I want to completely replace all wearing parts in the suspensions to ensure this never happens again. I am thinking of changing:
    -Ball joints, bushings, shocks, springs (see post on Terrain Tamer vs OEM)

    My questions is what am I missing? Should I replace anything else? stabilizer bar and bushings? front wishbones? rear suspension trailing arms? steering elements?
    The garage has already told me that I need to replace the front "rack ends" (I guess to do with the steering - part no: E04C71) and recommended that I change the power steering belt and pump adjuster bracket.

    Many thanks for your suggestions,

    Roberto

  • #2
    Re: Broken Ball Joint .. what else needs to be changed?

    I'd say your ball joint was on it's way to failing for some time. They rarely fail "suddenly". More than likely the rubber boot was damaged some time ago, the lube was lost and dirt got in = failure.

    I'd change the other side as they are relativlely cheap (try Ebay)

    Everything else you mention can be easily inspected when you fit your new springs and shocks. Why change things that are servicable? Just spend money on things that are actually in need of changing.


    Mick
    [CENTER][B][I][SIZE=1][COLOR=blue]1KZ-TE Turbo Diesel, 5 speed manual, 3.5 inch lift, 265/70/17 Mickey Thompson MTZ, D-Tronic chip, Boost controller, mandrel exhaust, dump pipe, modified intake, ARB steel bar, Magnum winch, Safari snorkel, rear drawers, half cargo barrier, dual batteries, Uniden UHF, Sat Nav, reverse camera, Magellan XL , Tjm bash plates, ARB alloy roof rack, rear telescopic work light and numerous other modifications!!!
    Now with 3BAR MAP sensor & 18PSI Boost![/COLOR][/SIZE][/I][/B][/CENTER]

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    • #3
      Re: Broken Ball Joint .. what else needs to be changed?

      Thanks MickL,

      I understand your point of view, but for me the issue is that the car had been serviced by Toyota (Asco motors) the same day!
      It cost me $$$$ to get it towed out of the field (4 tow-hours away from a tarmacked road) and could have caused a fatal accident had I been travelling at any speed when ball joint failed. I would rather spend extra money now, than have my passengers or myself spend time in hospital later.

      Are ball joints the only pieces that fail catastrophically in this way and are difficult to inspect during servicing? (along with faulty rear axels? viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2470&p=33002&hilit=+recall)

      In my ignorance, I'm wondering if the ball-joint cups in the wishbones (upper and lower) also wear and could fail catastrophically? Are there similar parts in the steering that could cause sudden loss of control?

      Many thanks,

      Rob

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Broken Ball Joint .. what else needs to be changed?

        I have only heard of the bottom ones failing, and even then only the ones that hadn't been replaced under recall, mine were but paranoia still has me asking my mechanic to check them for movement at every service. I don't have the top ones anymore so they're not an issue for me.

        Were your bj's replaced under recall? if so how many k's were on them before they failed?



        (sorry for sidetracking, but I've had heaps of steering issues, and prefer knowing what to look for)
        [url=http://www.4wdmonthly.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=29022]My Prado[/url]

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Broken Ball Joint .. what else needs to be changed?

          Hi Taresk,

          I just bought the car second hand recently, but it had been serviced all along by the official Toyota dealer who had no recollection of there having ever been a recall ! I found out on this forum so the dealer is following up with Toyota Japan as we speak. Having said that I think my 90 series (built in 99, i think - paperwork is confusing here) predates the ones that were recalled 01-02.

          What do you mean when you say "I don't have the top ones anymore so they're not an issue for me": have you replaced the original ones, or you can swap out ball joints for some other mechanism?

          Many thanks

          Rob

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Broken Ball Joint .. what else needs to be changed?

            Originally posted by roberto1207

            What do you mean when you say "I don't have the top ones anymore so they're not an issue for me": have you replaced the original ones, or you can swap out ball joints for some other mechanism?

            I have aftermarket upper control arms with heim joints in place of the upper ball joints, this is just to allow more range of movement for the long travel shocks.
            [url=http://www.4wdmonthly.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=29022]My Prado[/url]

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