Front end squeak

[java230]

I have a squeak coming from my front end. Sounds like a jalopy! Both when turning the steering wheel and from suspension compression. Sounds like its coming from the drivers side lower control arm on the frame side. But that is just my best guess. Worn bushings on the lca? Its at 130k. Also the lower bj's have tiny pinholes in the boots and it apprears that grease is still coming out so I don't think its that but could be.
just looking for ideas on where to start...

[Will_4R]

Sounds exactly like what I had (http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18987).

Check for free play in the lower ball joint.

[java230]

yeaht that does sound like it. i heard it a couple months ago then it was gone and now its back with avengence after some dirt roads. BJ's seems to still have gease in them but i do need to check for play.

has anyone completely rebuild their front ends? new BJ's, Bushings etc?

[Will_4R]

Originally Posted by java230

yeaht that does sound like it. i heard it a couple months ago then it was gone and now its back with avengence after some dirt roads. BJ's seems to still have gease in them but i do need to check for play.

has anyone completely rebuild their front ends? new BJ's, Bushings etc?

Not a complete rebuild, but I had to have the driverside lower ball joint replaced (with a Moog), and at the same time the cam bolts and bushing on the lower control arm since they were seized and the bushing had basically disintigrated.

[Photog]

There are some folks here, that have replaced their lower ball joints.

Since the noise also happens when turning, I agree that it is likely the ball joints.

Do a search here, for lower ball joints. The assembly diagram is posted, and the part numbers are listed.

[java230]

yeah im thinking Bj's too unfortunately. but it wasnt doing it today when it was wet.

[java230]

called a couple indy toyota shops: first one says no toyota say you have to do the whole arm, its not a serviceable part. they wont do just the BJ so i say ok no thanks.
called another he says i cant find the job in the computer let me make some calls. i told him about the moog part he says ok ill find out and we are fine pressing them in/out. calls back. he says his moog rep sees the part number there for the part but its not in production..... i told him that people here had done it. he is mistified and says well i dont know, i only have the info from the supplier.

so i decide to drag the jack out and check the play. jacked the front end up. there is maybe 1/8" play in the passengers side. at most. and the drivers seems tight. no play at all.

so i still dont know what squeaking. but it comes and goes. shot a little lithium grease into the tear on the drivers BJ and lubed the bottom soch mount. but who knows.

[java230]

still squeaking like hell today after the lubeing, is it bad to lube a bushing? ie the LCA to frame bushings?

[Photog]

Originally Posted by java230

still squeaking like hell today after the lubeing, is it bad to lube a bushing? ie the LCA to frame bushings?

You could spray some dry lube into the gaps around the control-arm bushings. This would help lube, without attracting dirt.

Have you looked online, for the Moog balljoints? If you already had them in-hand, the Toyota mechanic would only have to do the R&R.