1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Lower Ball Joint failure

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Rockman7, Jul 15, 2015.

  1. Jul 15, 2015 at 2:29 PM
    #1
    Rockman7

    Rockman7 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2015
    Member:
    #1527
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Pete
    Vehicle:
    2005 Tundra blue
    2.5" Rough Countey leveling kit
    I have a 2005 Tundra and recently had my lower ball joint on the drivers side fail...for the second time. Thought perhaps the first was a faulty part (master pro) but replaced with an import direct part and it failed also. I had a 2.5" rough country leveling kit put on about a year ago. At first had some popping noises but snugged everything down and replaced bushings on the sway bar link and that seemed to stop the noise. Then I took a right hand turn and when straightening out my steering seemed a little loose. Next thing I knew the ball joint just dropped out sending the left side crashing down on the tire and control arm. Anyone else have an issue with the ball joint after installing a leveler kit? Seems something is on a bind?
     
  2. Jul 15, 2015 at 3:37 PM
    #2
    Mike

    Mike Tread lightly.

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2014
    Member:
    #87
    Messages:
    3,642
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    south carolina
    Vehicle:
    2003 tundra sr5 4x4 stepside....
    yep bank account is running low from it..
    Sounds like your ball joint was maxed out causing the failure.

    I have heard I have a 03 tundra btw that the rough country lifts are problematic on our trucks my mine will stay stock height.

    Problem is no matter where you buy the part it will come from china just comes in a different box for aftermarket.

    Best thing is to replace the ball joint maybe toyota ball joint and get it in the alignment shop and see what is going on and see whats maxed out and above all why.
     
    Rockman7[OP] likes this.
  3. Jul 16, 2015 at 5:30 AM
    #3
    Rockman7

    Rockman7 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2015
    Member:
    #1527
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Pete
    Vehicle:
    2005 Tundra blue
    2.5" Rough Countey leveling kit
  4. Jul 16, 2015 at 7:23 AM
    #4
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2014
    Member:
    #38
    Messages:
    17,283
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    Broomfield, CO
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD Sport CM 5.7L 4X4
    Some Mods :) See build thread for details
    Wow, that is definitely a failure. Probably caused damage to the upper control arm ball joint and CV.
    I had a lower ball joint go out in my 07 Tacoma. Not a full failure but was making popping noises. I just replaced with factory LCA and didn't have problems after.
    As Mike pointed out there may be something else causing the failures that needs to be corrected. Getting a new LCA or ball joint wont fix the issue.
     
  5. Jul 16, 2015 at 7:33 AM
    #5
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #378
    Messages:
    40,012
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Aurora CO
    Vehicle:
    2022 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    I'm thinking the upper ball joint may not be a happy camper too. Not a pretty sight.
     
    mudslinger79 likes this.
  6. Jul 16, 2015 at 3:02 PM
    #6
    Mike

    Mike Tread lightly.

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2014
    Member:
    #87
    Messages:
    3,642
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    south carolina
    Vehicle:
    2003 tundra sr5 4x4 stepside....
    yep bank account is running low from it..
    That ball joint was sheared with stress. I will make a recommendation here replace all 4 ball joints upper and lower and get it to a alignment shop asap.
     
  7. Jul 16, 2015 at 5:09 PM
    #7
    LOTSOFTOYS

    LOTSOFTOYS Toyota Whisperer

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2015
    Member:
    #1396
    Messages:
    1,246
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jace
    Mile high
    Vehicle:
    2005 Tundra DBL cab
    Is it lifted? I'd recommend not using aftermarket parts. Oem bj's are always the way to go....
     
    mudslinger79 likes this.
  8. Nov 11, 2015 at 9:52 PM
    #8
    rolandvz71

    rolandvz71 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2015
    Member:
    #2092
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rvz71
    Vehicle:
    2005 Tundra 2 wheel drive TRD
    great.....so If I wanted to lift my 2005 I would have to replace UCA, LCR, upper and lower ball joints too?
     
  9. Nov 11, 2015 at 10:33 PM
    #9
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2014
    Member:
    #38
    Messages:
    17,283
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    Broomfield, CO
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD Sport CM 5.7L 4X4
    Some Mods :) See build thread for details
    Ball joints are pressed in and come with oem upper and lower control arms.

    Failure of ball joints happens. Lifts cause a different angle on the upper and lower ball joints/control arms than stock. This can cause premature wear.

    Just getting a lift doesn't mean you have to replace. Wait till they get bad before replacing, could be a long time before needed. I am currently a 3/1 lift and still have oem stock upper and lower control arms.
     
  10. Nov 12, 2015 at 6:27 AM
    #10
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #378
    Messages:
    40,012
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Aurora CO
    Vehicle:
    2022 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    When are you going to install your TTec SPC's?
     
  11. Apr 30, 2018 at 8:20 AM
    #11
    michaelstephen17

    michaelstephen17 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2018
    Member:
    #14910
    Messages:
    2
    I have a 2000 Tundra (not lifted). I just had the catastrophic ball joint failure on the drivers side front wheel. This happened when I was driving about 25 MPH. It was not a fun experience! I just had the truck at the dealership and had the steering wheel bushing replaced and a four wheel alignment (which is what they said it needed). They didn't say anything about the ball joints being bad! The failure occurred 9 days after the dealer service. I had the truck towed back to the dealer and I'm waiting to hear back from them.
     
  12. May 19, 2018 at 6:54 PM
    #12
    ROTT2524

    ROTT2524 New Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2018
    Member:
    #15464
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2003 TRD
    3" front and 2.5" rear leveling kit. 18x9's wrapped in 275/65/18 ST Maxx and mounted on 2 inch hub centric spacers.
    What's happening guys? After so many years, I finally upgraded my rims to 18". Unfortunately, the alignment tech informed me that, due to wear and tear, my suspension system is shot. My dilemma is this, since my truck is currently on a leveling kit, what shock system should I use? the stock bilsteins or the 5100's?
     
  13. May 19, 2018 at 7:05 PM
    #13
    040Tundra

    040Tundra Teddy 2013-2019

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2016
    Member:
    #5188
    Messages:
    3,809
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Aaron
    Las Vegas, NV
    Vehicle:
    040 '16 CM LTD 4x4
    A little of this and a little of that.
  14. May 19, 2018 at 8:19 PM
    #14
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3081
    Messages:
    9,842
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Law
    Baton Rouge, La
    Vehicle:
    2012 4.6 L MGM DC
    Toytec BOSS suspension lift @ 3" (front) Toytec BOSS remote resi's (back) 1" Toytec block (rear) 275/70r18 Toyo AT2 Info system mod 3D MAXpider Kagu floor mats LED interior lights 50% ceramic tint front windows 35% ceramic tint windshield brow Bed mounted YETI bottle opener Paracord wrapped oh Sh!t bars 3" stubby antennae TRD sway bar Upcoming: LED backup lights OEM Backup camera Iron Cross Patriot step bars Trifold or roll up tonneau cover
    8B992F80-6E0D-4218-906E-BAB6F986525A.jpg
     
    Pucks18 and Darkness like this.
  15. May 20, 2018 at 12:28 PM
    #15
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2018
    Member:
    #14878
    Messages:
    15,007
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Fred
    ‘Somewhere’... a State of Mind
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra SR5 4WD 4.7L AC Silver Metallica
    Hand Protectors
    What exactly on your suspension is shot? The entire system or just shocks?
     
    Jerry311SD likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top