How to Diagnose and Replace Bad Front Lower Ball Joint on a Toyota

Рет қаралды 124,975

2 жыл бұрын

How to diagnose and replace worn out lower ball joint on a Toyota Prius and other Toyotas. This is the simplest way to change a ball joint, which does not require cv axle to be removed. A bad ball joint can cause many strange noises while driving, and it is also a safety concern.
*Disclaimer
SkyCar, is not responsible for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Information given in this video does not guarantee the desired outcome. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of the tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not SkyCar.
#toyota #ball #joint

Пікірлер: 117

@robee4039 4 ай бұрын

Great job! He made it through a whole car repair without one curse word. The man is a saint.

@skycar2508 3 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@m1k3o98 11 ай бұрын

Real world video - exactly how I work on cars. No slick video editing and stupid music. Thx much - I'm ready to change the ball joint on my Toyota. I've subscribed - keep up the good work. 👍

@skycar2508 11 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@oo77of917 8 ай бұрын

Exactly 💯

@oo77of917 8 ай бұрын

BTW, that ball joint was a bit sketchy 😂

@jeffreygrullon2962 8 ай бұрын

Best method I’ve seen. Some guy removed everything down to the axle using a gun. I’ll use a gun and do it this way 😂

@sashaghovanlou8175 19 күн бұрын

The hardest part of this job is removing the original castle nut. Somehow this guys nut was loose even before he removed the retaining clip lol

@jeffreygrullon2962 17 күн бұрын

@@sashaghovanlou8175 mine was rusted and stripped…I had to cut the bolt off

@aliababwa3866 10 ай бұрын

loop of rope around the lower control arm, then step on the improvised strirrup, easiest way to get a ball-joint back in the socket while in situ.

@skycar2508 10 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@jamescalifornia2964 4 ай бұрын

👍 Excellent do-it-yourself video . _( This is a common repair on the older Toyota Sequoia . )_

@skycar2508 4 ай бұрын

Thanks 👍

@Sagemeister007 2 ай бұрын

Well done! Thanks for making this video!

@adamlj 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video man … great views of everything you need to see to do the job .. I have a 2012 Prius I’m going to do this on so thanks so much for showing me how to do it !!!

@skycar2508 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I like that you mentioned what car you have. Good luck with your repair!

@rondhole 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video but I found we almost never have ball joint issue in any Toyota car. They are all really good. The only time I found problems was because they are aftermarket or accident-related issues. Only the loaded ball joint in Toyota Trucks can have issues after 100k+ miles. If you want to replace ball joint, always get the original Toyota. They are just that good, nothing close.

@asaadluaibi2111 2 жыл бұрын

now that is a very good helpful video. thank you.

@skycar2508 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@ryderrygiel1515 5 ай бұрын

Great video, thanks!

@gihonda127 2 жыл бұрын

Good straight forward video.

@skycar2508 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@TheRk1969 Жыл бұрын

Very useful, 👍

@brettlloyd-brl5789 11 ай бұрын

Thanks a million !!

@skycar2508 11 ай бұрын

I’m glad you like it!

@zinger12 Жыл бұрын

Is this a loaded ball joint or un loaded. Where do you put the jack when testing. how high off the floor should the wheel be for testing

@preal9400 29 күн бұрын

Well done‼️💯

@bigbrowntrout1 7 ай бұрын

Great video. Thanks for posting. I was told by the tire alignment place I went to that I needed new lower control arms before it could be aligned. Is there a chance my problem is just the ball joints? Is there a way to tell? The whole lower control arm replacement is the stuff nightmares are made of, requiring the removal of engine mounts or frame bushings and such...

@skycar2508 7 ай бұрын

Thanks, the only problem with lower control arm might be worn rubber bushings. You can easily check them visually. There are two bushings front and back. Look for cracked or torn rubber especially for back one. Yes, they are hard to replace because of the front bolt will face the oil pan. You have to loosen the engine mount, and lift the engine.

@bigbrowntrout1 7 ай бұрын

@@skycar2508 thank you! I'll do a visual inspection like you described. I appreciate it!

@JockeyCake 4 ай бұрын

Thanks this video

@skycar2508 4 ай бұрын

You’re welcome!

@SeorgeGoros 2 жыл бұрын

Smooth af with just a few basic ass tools 👍🏼

@skycar2508 2 жыл бұрын

👍

@robg2347 2 жыл бұрын

Nicely done brother 👍

@skycar2508 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@robg2347 2 жыл бұрын

@@skycar2508 your welcome, believe that I have to do my own looked at quite a few videos and have to say liked yours the best. Hope that you and your family have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

@skycar2508 2 жыл бұрын

Good luck with your repair! Happy Thanksgiving!

@robg2347 2 жыл бұрын

@@skycar2508 thanks brother

@nathanield.4527 8 ай бұрын

Nice work! Looks like you were back in the house in under an hour. Did you get the ball joint from the dealer? If not, what brand did you get?

@skycar2508 8 ай бұрын

Thanks, I got the ball joint from the dealer. I had some bad experience with aftermarket parts, so I’m trying to avoid them.

@nathanield.4527 8 ай бұрын

@@skycar2508Thanks and great job on the video.

@lensmanicfeleven1847 7 ай бұрын

nice...really surprised you got it back in that way....

@josiasjorgio8810 Жыл бұрын

very useful. How did you get 52 ft in castle nut?

@skycar2508 Жыл бұрын

Thanks, there’s no way to get exact torque in my case because there’s not enough clearance to put a torque wrench on it. I used an extension pipe to get more leverage, and tightened it as much as I could.

@roberthall7206 Жыл бұрын

As far as i know any wiggle in the tire side to side is either inner or outer tire rod. Up and down movement in the tire is ball joint/control arm

@skycar2508 Жыл бұрын

Yes, you’re right. It’s general rule. I inspect my suspension every oil change and noticed that slight play in the wheel, but inner and outer tie rods were solid. Next oil change I visually saw the play was from the ball joint. So, sometimes everything is different.

@alexquezada510 4 ай бұрын

Hi this is an awesome video quick question could this cause creeking and occasional pop on a wheel when turning it’s just one single pop once in a while

@skycar2508 4 ай бұрын

Thanks, it can, but I would check the sway bar links for the pop sound. I had this problem before, after installing aftermarket links. Usually happens at slow speeds in parking lots. Have someone turning the steering wheel, and listen closely, they will make popping sounds.

@alexquezada510 4 ай бұрын

@@skycar2508 okay thank you will lift it up tomorrow and see what’s going on just hoping it’s not the rack 😅

@mybuddyboy1974 Ай бұрын

do you recommend aftermarket ball joints or should i get oem ball joint? should i replace both or one only?

@skycar2508 Ай бұрын

I prefer original parts, they last longer and fit perfectly. I would replace both if your car is old and the both ball joints are bad(leaking grease or have play).

@CleranceElva Жыл бұрын

If the stud to the ball joint is too short for the cotter pin, what could be the problem? Is it safe to drive with no cotter pin?

@skycar2508 Жыл бұрын

If it’s too short, you probably have a wrong part. You can compare it to the old part. If the length of the stud is same, the stud can be thicker and can’t go all the way in. It’s not safe to drive with no cotter pin. If the castle nut gets loose, the entire wheel will collapse.

@keepingup2952 2 жыл бұрын

How many foot pounds does it need, or in your case, how many times do you need to kick it with your foot?

@skycar2508 2 жыл бұрын

50-60 foot pounds. Don’t kick it with foot, it’s not crazy tight.

@bilygates2509 2 жыл бұрын

Great video

@skycar2508 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@shimxininahi8024 4 ай бұрын

Couldn't believe how loose the nut was at the start of the video with the pin still in? The safety pin that saved the day. It's from improper torque. What low profile wrench doesn't flare at the factory torque spec? 76 or 90 ft lbs.

@callmebackfriday2 Жыл бұрын

I have a clunking noise when slowly stopping and slowly start again. I can't tell it is bad ball joint or bad lower control arm need to be change. Thanks in advance.

@skycar2508 Жыл бұрын

Try wiggling each wheel in different directions when it’s in the air. You will feel if there’s a looseness somewhere. Check lower control arm rubber bushings for any damage. Also, check sway bar bushings and links. Old struts or strut mounts can cause that clunking noise.

@callmebackfriday2 Жыл бұрын

@@skycar2508 Thanks for the information. 👍

@leonarddroneview6947 Жыл бұрын

Do you need to get an alignment afterwards?

@skycar2508 Жыл бұрын

I didn’t do an alignment and the car drives fine. 20k miles later and no abnormal tire wear or pulling to the side. However, you can do an alignment if you have new tires, just to save them.

@fleadoggreen9062 Жыл бұрын

Is there like an average miles a Toyota ball joint should be replaced?? 50,000? Wat about tie rod ?

@skycar2508 Жыл бұрын

Hi, mostly it depends on conditions of the roads. Basically, both parts are replaced when they are worn out and have play in them. Toyota makes good parts, so just inspect them for any play and rubber boot integrity.

@AmrikSingh-if9ro 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video, do I need to torque them all just snug them hard

@skycar2508 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, make sure they are tight.

@turtleman6281 2 жыл бұрын

Question how do you grease the new ball joint?

@skycar2508 2 жыл бұрын

It’s pre-greased from the factory. Some ball joints have greasing point, they need to be greased.

@turtleman6281 2 жыл бұрын

@@skycar2508 cool thanks bro 😎

@JonahNAloha 2 жыл бұрын

Could this cause my van to shake on acceleration?

@skycar2508 2 жыл бұрын

No, it just makes clunking noise bumpy road.

@brandonc2566 Жыл бұрын

Check axle for rips or cuts. Make sure to replace with a factory part. Aftermarket aren’t always built to spec 100% and can cause vibrations even after replacement. While inspecting the axle check the ball joint for movement like he showed ya. A long pipe would help easier imo. Put it under the tire with the car up and jiggle up and down 🤙🏼

@stryk3r Жыл бұрын

tie rod ends and stabilizer bar links usually cause that problem

@saevurr 2 жыл бұрын

Nice job, though you probably would of had less trouble if you loosened and/or removed the two main knuckle bolts. It would have give you a lot more play room to position the ball joint.

@skycar2508 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I didn’t think about that, but you can try that way too. I remember doing a ball joint on my other car where I had to remove those bolts to install it.

@tboy160 Жыл бұрын

Then you need an alignment. Sometimes those strut to steering knuckle bolts are war also. On my Prius they were butter though. I'm all about removing the least things possible.

@saevurr Жыл бұрын

@@tboy160 Yep. Any time you replace something on your car’s suspension, you probably need an alignment.

@tboy160 Жыл бұрын

@@saevurr not always, im replacing a ball joint that merely has a torn boot, no need to do alignment after

@tboy160 Жыл бұрын

When removing the cotter pin, it appears the castlenated nut is already loose? Did you loosen it first, then reinstall for video?

@MycoloG2H 9 ай бұрын

Right, mine ain't comin off, seems like I may have to go get a couple more sockets to take the cv axle out and actually be able to access it.

@enriquevaldez2259 Жыл бұрын

Will this work for a 2007 toyota Prius??

@skycar2508 Жыл бұрын

Yes, this will work.

@enriquevaldez2259 Жыл бұрын

@@skycar2508 thanks

@srw1249 2 жыл бұрын

Prius 30 ball joint parts left & right same or no ???

@skycar2508 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, they are listed under same part number(left/right lower ball joint assembly).

@srw1249 2 жыл бұрын

@@skycar2508 thank you 🙏

@skycar2508 2 жыл бұрын

No problem.

@Discoverireland1 Жыл бұрын

Thanks i

@skycar2508 Жыл бұрын

No problem.

@MycoloG2H 9 ай бұрын

Guys with stuck castle nut Dont roll it, you'll have to either take to shop or buy more tools if you dont have them Gotta take out that cv axle, impact/air wrench the nut off If that dont work, at least everything is away from it and you can torch it. Sorry it's being a pain, but thats cars i guess

@sashaghovanlou8175 Ай бұрын

Tell me about it. Last time I did this job, it didn’t occur to me to remove the cv axle so I took a dremel cutting disc to the castle nut. Took forever

@automedicine Жыл бұрын

I believe a proper installation would require removal of thr entire arm, not to say that this method will not work but I'd remove the entire arm just to be thorough

@skycar2508 Жыл бұрын

Good point, to be thorough you have to remove brakes, strut, steering rod, and axle. All this work needs to be done in order to easily remove/tighten top ball joint nut.

@aliababwa3866 10 ай бұрын

no need and that messes with the specific compression on the control arm bushings. if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

@Real2k25 2 жыл бұрын

👍👍

@skycar2508 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you 👍

@fikfi891 Жыл бұрын

Your car model is prius 20 or 30?

@skycar2508 Жыл бұрын

@PamelaaChu 11 ай бұрын

Where can I buy the part ??

@skycar2508 11 ай бұрын

You can buy it at local Toyota dealership or online from Toyota parts website. If you choose to go with aftermarket part, you can buy it at local parts store.

@PamelaaChu 11 ай бұрын

@@skycar2508 thank you.

@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors 11 ай бұрын

👍🏻

@skycar2508 11 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@humblewarrior123 8 ай бұрын

mean while lower ball joint for honda would requires taking off the whole knuckle!

@jdmfans6078 2 жыл бұрын

you didn't show the. results.

@skycar2508 2 жыл бұрын

I missed that part, but there was no play anymore.

@beezy364 2 жыл бұрын

If that's gone bad, the control arm is probably shot too. Might as well change both.

@jasonleblanc1422 2 жыл бұрын

lol how so

@InexplicableBill Жыл бұрын

@@jasonleblanc1422 the rear bushing on these control arms gets so shredded from years of abuse that they should def. be replaced. The shredded bushing causes excessive fore and aft movement of the control arm which also pushes the busing on the front mounting point bushing out of place. However the motor mounts need to come out first to be able to access one of the bolts for the control arms, so replace that mount as well. I just did this on our '08 Highlander with 231K miles. It was a project long past due.

@roberthall7206 Жыл бұрын

What kind of noise/symptoms were going on?

@InexplicableBill Жыл бұрын

@@roberthall7206 You're going to hear multiple banging and clunking noises as you drive over rough roads. You'll notice that the sound is pronounced in front vs when the rear wheels hit the same rough road. You're also likely to feel the vibrations that cause the noise through the steering wheel a bit as well as through the floor pan.