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,

"tbl" <hate (AT) ThatSpam (DOT) net> wrote

Take a look at
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...spec_chart.pdf
, 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

On Wed, 26 Oct 2005 16:46:57 GMT, "C. E. White"
<cewhite3 (AT) mindspring (DOT) com> wrote:


Thanks Ed... Good info!