I have an appointment for a couple things including the ball joints. The dealer said that they have not been doing any alignments as part of the this. The whole assembly bolts on/off but does not effect any of the settings.
Why does this not sound right to me? If your taking parts off the suspension it has to affect the geometry correct?
Did anybody's dealer do an alignment as part of the service?
My last "free" dealer aligment they didn't hit DJ's specs because they were already "in spec". I paid my normal shop to do the aligment when I put my snows on last year. Also has helped the wear on my summer tires of course but if they have to do an alignment after, I want to be ready for the bitching and complaining ahead of time with the service manager.
Why does this not sound right to me? If your taking parts off the suspension it has to affect the geometry correct?
Changing the balljoints does not affect steering geometry whatsoever. The only way that it would affect your alignment is if they had to remove your tie-rod ends or changed the angles of your control arms, which they aren't.
No alignment is necessary after the recall work is performed.
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The alignment changed on my truck. I was given the before and after readings. I know two other people who have had the balljoints done and both had an alignment as part of the procedure.
Rick
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The alignment changed on my truck. I was given the before and after readings. I know two other people who have had the balljoints done and both had an alignment as part of the procedure.
Rick
I can't imagine what would change. I've done the upper and lowers myself and the front end geometry was unchanged. The second alignment shop handed me back DJs specs after racking it--without being prompted. They wouldn't even charge me for it. Unless you remove the UCA or LCA or the tie rod ends, I am 99.9% certain nothing changes. I was 100% before your post ;-)
Upgrades: PA 3" Body Lift, Powertrax No-Slip rear, Detroit ezLocker front, Fabtech/Fox front, Wheeler's AALs, TC Front Diff Drop, 16 x 8 MB Wheels, 285/75R16 Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs, Pioneer Head Unit, Infiniti Reference speakers [front and rear], 150 W bridged amp to bandpass enclosure, 6 CD changer with IR remote, iPod mini and xm hardwired into stereo, Toyota drop in bedliner, and Tonneau cover
Changing the balljoints does not affect steering geometry whatsoever. The only way that it would affect your alignment is if they had to remove your tie-rod ends or changed the angles of your control arms, which they aren't.
No alignment is necessary after the recall work is performed.
The repair manual for the tundra calls for the tie rod ends to be removed, and the last step in changing the ball joints is to check the wheel alignment. The service instructions to the dealers call for the alignment to be done after the ball joints are replaced.
The repair manual for the tundra calls for the tie rod ends to be removed, and the last step in changing the ball joints is to check the wheel alignment. The service instructions to the dealers call for the alignment to be done after the ball joints are replaced.
And there you have it...I stand partially corrected. When I pressed mine off to do the lower BJs--I did not remove the ends from the steering rack. If they remove the ends from the rack, you would need likely need an alignment (unless they were really good and matchmarked them to a thread or two); if they don't then you're okay. In my case, I didn't do it and no alignment was necessary. I can also change my tie rod ends without requiring an alignment too.
Curious though, why some would tell you that you need an alignment and others would say no. I mean, we know that it can be done without it--but it seems rather pointless and expensive.
Seqouiasoon,
Given that info, I would push them for more info...
Upgrades: PA 3" Body Lift, Powertrax No-Slip rear, Detroit ezLocker front, Fabtech/Fox front, Wheeler's AALs, TC Front Diff Drop, 16 x 8 MB Wheels, 285/75R16 Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs, Pioneer Head Unit, Infiniti Reference speakers [front and rear], 150 W bridged amp to bandpass enclosure, 6 CD changer with IR remote, iPod mini and xm hardwired into stereo, Toyota drop in bedliner, and Tonneau cover
Curious though, why some would tell you that you need an alignment and others would say no. I mean, we know that it can be done without it--but it seems rather pointless and expensive.
Toyota probably doesn't want to buy 750,000 sets of tires when someone says, "they replaced my ball joints, and then my tires were ruined from out of alignment". I think it is mostly as a precaution. Mabey if the ball joints were really worn, and it had been aligned with them worn, and then you put new ones, it might change?
Toyota probably doesn't want to buy 750,000 sets of tires when someone says, "they replaced my ball joints, and then my tires were ruined from out of alignment". I think it is mostly as a precaution.
That seems like an excellent reason which will definitely be brought up during my write up for the appointment. I also contacted a very highly regarded person when it comes to alignments and this was his reply:
"If I were to replace my ball joints, I would align it afterwards. The ball joints, and their mounting, are not precisely made enough to risk not aligning it. I would align it even if I had to pay extra for it. The dealer is simply banking on Toyota's ridiculously wide tolerances to say "it's in tolerance", even though the alignment could be really off afterwards. Not on my truck.".
I love TS for the wealth of information and the easy access to things like TSB's. It's gonna be great to grab the service manager before the start and hand him the Technical Instructions and Dealer Letter that state "inspect and adjust front end alignment" and ask him why they feel that this part does not need to be done. At that point it also needs be written on my bill so that when my tires are worn, I'll be looking for assistance in the replacement from them.
I was under the impression that the balljoint was making this klunk clunk sound, almost like a snapping sound down low when the truck goes over some bumps or I touch the gas pedal from 5-15 mph to get it moving and this ound comes up, sounds worse after having the replacement, more noticable and more often it will happen , I personally am SICK of this truck, its been to the dealership for everything and I mean everything, anyone else have this problem of klunking,
Really who wants to pay some $30,000 for a klunker, I don't
So who wants to tell me its something else? I know its the balljoint, and dealerships can't do anything right, everytime I'm always the one who ends up being the one who is RIGHT
also is the recall supposed to have a grease pack below as some did before, I have seen pics of these on older toyotas and now non;, the upgraded one doesn't need one.
I was under the impression that the balljoint was making this klunk clunk sound, almost like a snapping sound down low when the truck goes over some bumps or I touch the gas pedal from 5-15 mph to get it moving and this ound comes up, sounds worse after having the replacement, more noticable and more often it will happen , I personally am SICK of this truck, its been to the dealership for everything and I mean everything, anyone else have this problem of klunking,
Really who wants to pay some $30,000 for a klunker, I don't
So who wants to tell me its something else? I know its the balljoint, and dealerships can't do anything right, everytime I'm always the one who ends up being the one who is RIGHT
also is the recall supposed to have a grease pack below as some did before, I have seen pics of these on older toyotas and now non;, the upgraded one doesn't need one.
your not alone on your view ... Toyota has some pretty crappey service just hang in there and be demanding like I am pickey Tundra customers are there bussiness or just call Home office (Toyotas regional office like what i do if something isn't fair I allways have good luck with that because they allways seem to provide aneswers none of this BS you get with stealership's ...
I was under the impression that the balljoint was making this klunk clunk sound, almost like a snapping sound down low when the truck goes over some bumps or I touch the gas pedal from 5-15 mph to get it moving and this ound comes up, sounds worse after having the replacement, more noticable and more often it will happen , I personally am SICK of this truck, its been to the dealership for everything and I mean everything, anyone else have this problem of klunking,
Really who wants to pay some $30,000 for a klunker, I don't
So who wants to tell me its something else? I know its the balljoint, and dealerships can't do anything right, everytime I'm always the one who ends up being the one who is RIGHT
also is the recall supposed to have a grease pack below as some did before, I have seen pics of these on older toyotas and now non;, the upgraded one doesn't need one.
James,
that clunking you hear sounds familiar to me.
it could be different in your case, but when i have clunking its my rear leaf springs.
at first i thought it was the front suspension, but i located it to the rear leafs. It seems that over time, dirt and grime get in between the leaves and in the shackles and cause them to kind of stick, causing some creaking that sounds like clunking inside the truck.
What i did was jack the truck up from the frame (so the axel and tires are hanging free, thus allowing the springs to open up) and get some high power cleaner/degreaser and shoot all up in between the springs and in the shackes, let it sit for a few minutes, then blast out the dirt with a water hose sprayer, or better yet, a power washer. after that you should spray them down very well in between with some WD-40 or other lubricant. You would have better access if you take off the rear tires. Give that a try and see if it takes the clunking away. If not, it might be your front suspension.
My front right suspension makes a "tinkg-tunk" sound when i go over a dip in the road, or up a driveway approach. I hoped the recall would fix that but alas, it did not.
Im thinking it might be my Daystar 2.5" lift that is doing it. I installed it myself and didn't set everything to right torque specs. (its nearly impossible to get a giant torque-wrench in that tight space) So maybe the lift is doing it . I dunno.
Sorry for the long post.
I saw a ticker tape type news bit that some toyota pickups and SUVs were going to be recalled. 750,000 for front steering problems?????????? oh no .....anyone have any info on this?
call your local dealer and they will tell you if your vehicle is involved
had my ball joints replaced today at Atkinson Toyota in College Station, TX. I am very happy. There are no marks on the tie rods. The people that work there are very polite, and i feel that they do really good work.
Upgrades: PA 3" Body Lift, Powertrax No-Slip rear, Detroit ezLocker front, Fabtech/Fox front, Wheeler's AALs, TC Front Diff Drop, 16 x 8 MB Wheels, 285/75R16 Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs, Pioneer Head Unit, Infiniti Reference speakers [front and rear], 150 W bridged amp to bandpass enclosure, 6 CD changer with IR remote, iPod mini and xm hardwired into stereo, Toyota drop in bedliner, and Tonneau cover
I guess that means that they didn't have to remove your tie rod ends from the steering rack. Did they do an alignment?
Just curious...
No, I don't think that they remove the tie rods from the rack. But the marks that some people earlier in this thread had, were due to the dealer not having the right tool or something and beating the tie rod to dissconnect it from the ball joint.
I asked if they would do the alignment after replacing the ball joints. "Yes sir" was the answer. It says on the invoice "replace lower ball joints and align front end."
I reccommend them very highly, they are very prompt when you pull up, and then when your vechicle is ready they pull it up front with a chilled bottle of water in the cup holder.
Alignment after recall service?
everyone for your input.
and be demanding like I am 
pickey Tundra customers are there bussiness or just call Home office (Toyotas regional office like what i do if something isn't fair I allways have good luck with that because they allways seem to provide aneswers none of this BS you get with stealership's ...
.....anyone have any info on this?
Linear Mode
