Ball joint boots are cracked.

ANSWER : Hi there. Unfortunately, diagnosing what type of service may have been performed by a different mechanic without physically inspecting the vehicle is difficult, as is knowing how long your vehicle can be driven with worn out ball joints and tie rods. The problem with worn out suspension parts is that they can fail and break, which can cause an unsafe driving situation.

It might be a better idea to have a professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, come to your location to inspect all the front end components for damage and give you an idea as to how much longer you can drive your vehicle before you must replace the damaged parts or buy a new vehicle.

ANSWER : You install the boot after pressing the ball joint. Press the joint, install the snap ring, then install the boot. There is a metal ring molded in the boot. You will have to tap it on. I use one of the adapters from the press tool to do this.

If you feel like you need help with the installation, feel free to contact a certified technician who can ensure a proper installation by replacing your ball joints at your own convenience.

ANSWER : A lot of times, when you’re installing a ball joint into the lower control arm and trying to tighten the nut to lock in the ball joint shaft, the shaft will spin if you do not have enough pressure on the lower control arm. You will need to use a jack under the control arm as close to the ball joint as possible to push up on the joint so that the weight of the vehicle pushes the ball joint tight; then you should be able to tighten it. Make sure when using a jack under the lower control arm that you keep the vehicle supported with jack stands. If you need any professional assistance with this repair, you can always contact a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic.

ANSWER : Hi there. Something is apparently being overlooked, concerning the lower ball joint replacement. The lower part of the ball joint is inserted into the control arm (retained by a circular clip) and the upper part is inserted into the steering knuckle (retained by a through bolt). Repeated failure would, lead me to believe, there is a fitment problem and/or undo stress is being placed on the ball joint. This could be the result of a bent lower control arm. It could be result of a bent subframe and/or bent strut assembly placing undo stress on the lower ball joint. An alignment may help identify the area of concern. I recommend having your vehicle’s repeated lower ball joint failure be diagnosed and repaired by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic.

ANSWER : The ball joint on this vehicle can be replaced separately from the lower control arm. However, on this vehicle it is also a known problem where the ball joint becomes loose inside the mounting in the lower control arm and will not hold tight any longer. This will require the entire lower control arm to be replaced. [https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement]

In order to know if just the ball joint or the whole complete lower control arm needs replaced, the lower ball joint will need to be disconnected from the steering knuckle and checked to see if it fits tight in the lower control arm. If it is loose, then replace control arm. If it fits tight then you will need to remove the ball joint from control arm and see if a new ball joint will fit tight in the control arm or control arm still will need to be replaced. This is why you were advised to replace the whole control arm.

ANSWER : Suspension components on modern vehicles are not as heavy as they used to be. Components like control arms can be lighter and thinner. Ball joints are riveted or pressed into control arms. Sometimes bolted/screwed. Since replacing a ball joint will usually involve removing the control arm from the vehicle to either press or drill rivets out – which is more labor intensive, it can be a time and money saver labor wise to simply replace the entire control arm.

You are removing the old control arm and replacing it with a new one, complete with new ball joint and control arm bushings. Even if the control arm bushings are in good shape at the time the ball joint is replaced, they will eventually require replacement. You then have parts and labor involved again to remove the control arm, replace the bushings, then reinstall it on the vehicle.

Sometimes the ball joint replacement can be more cost effective in the long run, to simply replace the entire control arm. If you’d like to have this done, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians can come to your home or office to service your ball joints.

ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The noise you are hearing may be a result of a wheel bearing or a shock issue. There are several tests that can be done while the vehicle is parked, and some while it is lifted off of the ground. The goal is to manipulate the wheels and suspension to replicate the noise. Try a simple bounce test for example to test out the shock on each tire. This is done by simply pressing down on the corner of the vehicle forcing it to bounce up and down. If you hear the noise, focus on your shocks. If not, you can move on to the wheel assembly. For more help with diagnostics or repairs, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.

ANSWER : Hello, thanks for writing in about your Toyota Tacoma. You will not find any glue to repair ball joint boots. The boots are sealed on most ball joints and any break in the boot allows dirt, debris, and water to enter the joint. There is no way for the mechanic to completely know how long it has been cracked and exposed. I would also recommend replacing ball joints as required. If you’d like a fresh pair of eyes on this, consider YourMechanic, as one of our certified technicians can diagnose your suspension system firsthand for a second opinion and help you make an accurate repair.