Lower Ball Joints - How Often to Replace?

I purchased my truck in 2020, and records showed the Lower Ball Joints were placed by the Toyota dealer as part of the recall a 17,000 miles in 2009.

I am coming up on 115,000 miles (so, 14 years and 100k). Due to the catastrophic method of failure, I am interested to know if I need to replace them (maybe just for peace of mind). Is there any suggestions on when to replace?

 

Yes. Are you familiar with how to do the basic test for ball joints, tie rod ends, and wheel bearings? i.e. jacking up the front wheels and grabbing with both hands at different positions and slap/push-pull left/right-back/forth to check for play? There are specific positions to utilize for this test.

This should be part of your basic maintenance routine and ideally just take care of it while doing your regular tire rotations, or jack up each front wheel to test at each oil change.

Of course, also listen for popping sounds in various situations, as those can be a precursor to suspension parts failures.

 

100k is a reasonable replacement Interval for these.

 

Understood. I perform basic inspections, but I wouldn't say I'm familiar with a standardized process. I'll look for that. Thanks

 

It's for Dodge/RAM, but it hits all the important notes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VASdyDnKu-E

 

Watched it, thank you!

 

I would start checking it more regularly around 80k and probably change them at 120k at the latest unless there was a sign one of them was going. Typically, there is a sign.