Balljoint replacement?

[Keasbey]

Hey guys,

First thread over here! I'm not totally brand new to corollas, I now own my corolla since 4-5 years now, and I thought it may be a good idea to join TN.. for futur references and some tricks!

So, I'm just wondering, how many miles have you done with the original balljoints, tie-rod end, inner tie-rod?

Because my car is starting to have some "clunking" noise in the front, and steering play..

It have 246k kms (which is.. 154k miles), FYI

Thanks!

[pdq]

Clunking, as in when going over a bump? Tie rods/ball joints are a possibility.

Jack up one corner of the car (wheel off the ground). Grab the tire at 3:00 and 9:00 and wiggle the tire. If it moves (without the steering wheel moving) or makes a clunking noise, you may have a tie rod issue. Grab the tire at 12:00 and 6:00 and wiggle. If it moves, you may have a ball joint issue.

Repeat for the other tire.

If that turns up nothing, try bouncing the car from the bumper at the front left corner and the front right corner. If you hear any clunking, it's possibly the strut mount.

If you still haven't found anything, I would suspect the stabilizer end links, which are connected to the strut and stabilizer bar. They are notorious to go bad on this car and need replacement. And they are cheap (about $20 each).

For reference, my car has had failed stabilizer end links which I replaced, as well as the CV joints, which were vibrating at high speeds on the highway.

[Bennie]

All original ball joints on my cars, new inner and outer tie rod ends on the 316K (miles)one, original on the 265K one.

If you have steering play it sounds like you are on the right track. If not, the sway bar end links are a very common failure.

[silverone]

I know this is an old tread, but I'm a nube here on T.N. Come on everyone, lets see some action here ! pics and stuff! A thread like this on bimmerforums would have a hundred replies and maybe 300 diy pics! yes I have an e30 bmw but i love my gen 8 corolla too.

[Jjona5]

I have an e30 325ix...

[silverone]

Originally Posted by Jjona5

I have an e30 325ix...

aha a snowmobile I want one so bad mines an ic. , but dont you agree it would be nice to have some more info and pics here ?

[pdq]

The difference is that Bimmer owners are more proud of their cars than Corolla owners. And, Corollas are much more reliable than German cars.

In general, Corolla owners care mostly about the price of the car and their MPGs

[silverone]

Originally Posted by pdq

The difference is that Bimmer owners are more proud of their cars than Corolla owners. And, Corollas are much more reliable than German cars.

In general, Corolla owners care mostly about the price of the car and their MPGs

Wow that should wake some people up! I will add though a well maintained bmw could go 3 maybe 4 hundred K just like a well maintained corolla, and Ive been finding parts prices aren't that much different, have you priced wheel hub assy. lately! You are right though about the mpg, 2000 corolla LE 4 speed auto 36 mpg highway e-30 ic 5 speed manuel 28 mpg, if I keep it under 70 mph.