I've looked at previous threads on the topic of the front ball joints. As I understand it the whole lower arm has to be replaced. Can someone confirm this is correct and there are no other ways to fix it without replacing the whole thing? Seems strange.
Thanks
Karl
From what I understand it unfortunately is correct. A bad bit of design from Toyota really. The rear toe arm is the same. If the ball joint goes the whole thing needs replacing.
I feared the worse. Thanks for the reply.
Has anyone on here changed the lower arm themselves or know how easy, or more likely difficult, it is to do?
Aint done the job on a mk3, but shouldn't be too bad looking at the workshop manual.
According to the manual, remove in following order:
Wheel
ARB link (hopefully not too rusty!)
Brake Caliper and ABS equipment (apparently)
Front axle hub assembly
Split lower ball joint
Remove other bolts holding the arm onto the chassis, and the chassis brace that covers them.
However, I would question whether you reeeally need to do the two items in red above.
I have often found the manual to go a bit OTT on certain things from time to time!
Hopefully someone who has done the job can confirm. If not, see how it looks as you go!