How Serious? - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

ArthurS · 2006-04-06, 09:12 AM

I got a recall notice on the 4Runner yesterday. Says that the front right and left ball joints need to be replaced. I haven't noticed much of a problem except shuddering when braking from high speeds which I think is due to the warped rotors.

I am taking a trip to Eagle lake at the end of the month (4 hour drive) and Toyota can't get my car in until May. Should I worry about this at all and get it done elsewhere?

sperry · 2006-04-06, 09:16 AM

Well, the shuddering under braking can be a symptom of a ball-joint issue, not just the brakes. You might want to call Toyota and tell them your situation and see if they can't get you in before the trip.

Or, if you can get an independent shop to do the recall work at no cost to you before the trip, then you might as well get it taken care of. Chances are, you'd be fine on the trip, but if you can get it done, why risk it?

sp00ln · 2006-04-06, 09:18 AM

I'd take it in.

I belive the 2g DSM has a recall on the ball joints on the controll arms as well ( that's what you're talking about, right?) Anyways, I was pulling into a driveway one day and it failed and snapped my left asxcel(sp? Ive only slept for four hours). It was driving fine right before that too... I've heard of storys of them failing on the highways as well...

Kevin M · 2006-04-06, 09:23 AM

Definitely get it done asap Art. While you may or may not be at much risk of yours actually failing, if they go, it's like 90% chance of catastrophic consequences. If it fails on the highway, you're almost guaranteed a rollover. The onnly things close to as scary as losing a ball joint would be wheel bearing disintegration or maybe a differential lockup. I saw that happen once. Scary.

rubberbiscuitt · 2006-04-06, 03:33 PM

my fatherinlaw just took his 03 tacoma in for that about a month ago.

if a balljoint fails, then the front end could drop, then the truck caould fall over, then you could run over a penguin, then you could hit a wall, and that's not my choice of fun. so get it done.

M3n2c3 · 2006-04-06, 05:00 PM

Yes, do it for the penguins.

sp00ln · 2006-04-06, 11:40 PM

Wow... sorry for my first post.

kidatari · 2006-04-07, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sp00ln

I'd take it in.

I belive the 2g DSM has a recall on the ball joints on the controll arms as well ( that's what you're talking about, right?) Anyways, I was pulling into a driveway one day and it failed and snapped my left asxcel(sp? Ive only slept for four hours). It was driving fine right before that too... I've heard of storys of them failing on the highways as well...

I had this happen on my '98. Except that they were the new front control arms. When they installed the new LCAs, they failed to torque the ball joint nuts. I was going around a turn at about 15mph, and suddenly everything goes to hell. Slammed the driver's front wheel into the fender, cracked the bumper, destroyed the axle, and shredded the tire. Thank God that that didn't fail on the highway.

And what's even better is that the passenger side nut was only engaged 4 threads. Fuck Capitol City Mitsubishi (SAC) .

ArthurS · 2006-04-07, 08:38 AM

Damn. I think this should be fixed then! Toyota can't get me in early, so I might have to get over to Carson to get the service done. Better safe then sorry though, thanks everyone.

2006-04-06, 09:12 AM	#1
ArthurS EJ207 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 3,707 Car: 2011 Chevy Battle Wagon	How Serious? I got a recall notice on the 4Runner yesterday. Says that the front right and left ball joints need to be replaced. I haven't noticed much of a problem except shuddering when braking from high speeds which I think is due to the warped rotors. I am taking a trip to Eagle lake at the end of the month (4 hour drive) and Toyota can't get my car in until May. Should I worry about this at all and get it done elsewhere? __________________ Captain Murphy: I dub thee Sir Phobos, Knight of Mars, beater of ass. Be a hitter, babe.

2006-04-06, 09:16 AM	#2
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	Well, the shuddering under braking can be a symptom of a ball-joint issue, not just the brakes. You might want to call Toyota and tell them your situation and see if they can't get you in before the trip. Or, if you can get an independent shop to do the recall work at no cost to you before the trip, then you might as well get it taken care of. Chances are, you'd be fine on the trip, but if you can get it done, why risk it? __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2006-04-06, 09:18 AM	#3
sp00ln EJ205 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,196	I'd take it in. I belive the 2g DSM has a recall on the ball joints on the controll arms as well ( that's what you're talking about, right?) Anyways, I was pulling into a driveway one day and it failed and snapped my left asxcel(sp? Ive only slept for four hours). It was driving fine right before that too... I've heard of storys of them failing on the highways as well... __________________ Turbo is a decent with modification.

2006-04-06, 09:23 AM	#4
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	Definitely get it done asap Art. While you may or may not be at much risk of yours actually failing, if they go, it's like 90% chance of catastrophic consequences. If it fails on the highway, you're almost guaranteed a rollover. The onnly things close to as scary as losing a ball joint would be wheel bearing disintegration or maybe a differential lockup. I saw that happen once. Scary. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2006-04-06, 05:00 PM	#6
M3n2c3 EJ205 Real Name: Jeremiah Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 1,888 Car: Current: 2014 Forester 2.5i Premium. Old: 2005 Impreza 2.5RS, 2000 Forester L Class: RNP, long ago (see motto) "Kids are ruining autocross."	Yes, do it for the penguins. __________________ Small red text that looks curious at first glance but is ultimately inconsequential

2006-04-06, 03:33 PM	#5
rubberbiscuitt EJ22 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: south lake tahoe Posts: 234 Car: L just push the brake pedal.	my fatherinlaw just took his 03 tacoma in for that about a month ago. if a balljoint fails, then the front end could drop, then the truck caould fall over, then you could run over a penguin, then you could hit a wall, and that's not my choice of fun. so get it done.

2006-04-06, 11:40 PM	#7
sp00ln EJ205 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,196	Wow... sorry for my first post. __________________ Turbo is a decent with modification.

2006-04-07, 08:38 AM	#9
ArthurS EJ207 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 3,707 Car: 2011 Chevy Battle Wagon	Damn. I think this should be fixed then! Toyota can't get me in early, so I might have to get over to Carson to get the service done. Better safe then sorry though, thanks everyone. __________________ Captain Murphy: I dub thee Sir Phobos, Knight of Mars, beater of ass. Be a hitter, babe.

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