1. Home
  2. General Toyota Forum
  3. Checking Front End for Looseness (1988 Pickup)

Checking Front End for Looseness (1988 Pickup)

Anybody with experience care to comment on troubleshooting looseness in the steering and suspension joints and connections in the front end of a 1988 Toyota pickup?

When I asked the folks at the tire store to do an alignment check/adjust, they said some components (tie-rod ends, idler and pitman arms) in the front end were too loose to do a proper alignment, and offered to correct them for a mere $450 (!). I've got tools and some time, and am wondering if I can check this out myself (to verify that I'm not being scammed), and perhaps even put in some new parts myself. From what I can tell, the parts aren't particularly expensive.

Thanks,

Reply to
tbl
Loading thread data ...

Take a look at

formatting link
, It is a Moog Publication that includes specs and inspection procedures for ball joints (even for Toyotas - trucks are at the end of the listing). I'd take a good look at the ball joints before paying to have them replaced based solely on the recommendation of an alignment shop. It is unfortunate but true that either deliberately or out of ignorance shops often claim the joints need replacing when they are actually well within the design specifications. It is relatively easy to mistake a good ball joint as bad because improper inspection techniques are used.

Regards,

Ed White

Reply to
C. E. White

Thanks Ed... Good info!

Reply to
tbl

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.