Lower ball joint advice please

So I'm finally getting my new shocks installed likely later this week, and the shop wanted to do an inspection today to see what/if other parts needed to be replaced at the same time. It is a 2011 with 137k miles.

They came back and said that everything really looked good, except one of the lower ball joints has some "slight" play, but it is not imminently catastrophic or anything like that.

I can elect to have it changed out or not while the front is apart anyway. Would you...

Replace just the side they are talking about?
Replace Both sides?
Or none?

 

Others will chime in to confirm but I'm not sure if the lower ball joints can be purchased separately from the lower control arms or not.

 

I believe they did say it was an assembly with the lower control arms now that you mention it.
They are saying ~260 per side which I believe is just parts... I'm already paying the labor for the shock install.

 

Okay. I was just looking at one of the Toyota parts sites....each LCA was $317. Make sure they come with new bushings. The only other concern is the cam alignment bolts. They have been known to seize at times. If possible, soak them with PB Blaster a day or 2 before you take it in. Here is the link for them if you need the part numbers.

https://www.sparksparts.com/v-2011-...-7l-v8-gas/front-suspension--front-suspension

 

Thanks sir... I can hit those bolts with some WD40 at least, if that would help.
I take it your recommendation is to replace them?

 

WD40 will help some too. It's really up to you if you want to change them based on your budget, what the bushings or wear and tear looks like, etc. Hopefully others that have done their LCA's will give their inputs.

 

Aftermarket LBJs are available separate of the control arm. I have 1 waiting to go in mine after I damaged the boot.

 

Don't hold me to this but load bearing BJ's can have play in them and it doesn't hurt anything. I don't know the spec tho.

Basically it has 1/4 of the trucks weight on it so it doesn't just hop around like a loose tie rod or upper ball joint. If the boot is torn, replace it. If not, I'd leave it and do it north of 200k.

JM2C

 

Don't go aftermarket. Either replace with OEM or, if the bolts are torqued to spec and you (your trusted mechanic) believes the play is due to the bushings wearing out, you can maybe hold out.

That said, if you don't want to replace them yourself at some point, pay your mechanic to swap 'em out now (gotta pull them off anyway). But only if you can replace with OEM Toyota parts. Many aftermarket replacements have problems.

 

So, what they ordered was actually a Moog part for one side (didn't order both sides).
I'm thinking I will pass for now, as it seems strange to do just one side regardless of other factors.
They said they can return it with no issues so I don't feel too bad about leaving them hanging with a part I didn't specifically request.

 

I've ran MOOG BJ's in other cars, as long as they don't have slop, just run them. I typically am an OEM only guy for my Toyota, but I'm not pulling a LCA for just a BJ. Since you're already going to have the front apart and need an alignment, I'd be temped to replace that side A-arm while you're in there.

If the LBJ has *ANY* amount of play in it, I would replace it. The 1st gen's are known to have LBJ issues and I actually followed a sequoia out of work yesterday that turned right and his LBJ snapped and the wheel folded over.