I can't believe what just happened.

[langtounboy]

I'd been off the motorway for about 10 minutes, heard a noise from underneath thought nothing off it and then this happened http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/daveho...03452009790770
Thankfully I was only going 15 - 20 mph

It looks as though the ball joints have popped out of the wishbone, that's a layman's/ sparkies interpretation of what has happened so I'd like some experts views.
As you can see from this picture http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/daveho...03507036211298 the drive shafts have been ripped out and both ball joints are disconnected. It will be getting recovered to the garage tomorrow. I'll probably have a list of spare parts soon so if anyone is breaking a 3rd Gen I'll be in touch.

Still can't believe how lucky we were. the pooch is still hiding http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/daveho...03739465616306

[darkdezigns]

wow yr were lucky,kinda difficult to tell from pics,but this normally happens when the ball on the ball joint snaps,looks like u were v lucky,especially as it normally takes the wing with it,did u get it recovered ok?just some recovery drivers arent to errr carefull lol

[langtounboy]

Managed to get it recovered without any further damage
Used a trolley jack to get it back of the ground and up on the truck.
I'm going out in a minute to get some more pictures of underneath. How do I post them up as thumb nails?

[Albannach]

You're very very lucky! It's also almost unheard of to have a failure like that with no prior warning (i.e. clunking noises for a while before it actually lets go). The top joint looks a bit dry, maybe that went first?

[JUDWAK]

I'd been off the motorway for about 10 minutes, heard a noise from underneath thought nothing off it and then this happened http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/daveho...03452009790770
Thankfully I was only going 15 - 20 mph

It looks as though the ball joints have popped out of the wishbone, that's a layman's/ sparkies interpretation of what has happened so I'd like some experts views.
As you can see from this picture http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/daveho...03507036211298 the drive shafts have been ripped out and both ball joints are disconnected. It will be getting recovered to the garage tomorrow. I'll probably have a list of spare parts soon so if anyone is breaking a 3rd Gen I'll be in touch.

Still can't believe how lucky we were. the pooch is still hiding http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/daveho...03739465616306

dude thats bum nipping stuff
your lucky you were going at slow speed
first i have ever seen do this


Albannach you mention a knocking first
mines knocking its nuts off from both front sides

[si tate]

Have a read of this mate.
http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...ght=ball+joint

P.S glad your all ok.

[Albannach]

Albannach you mention a knocking first
mines knocking its nuts off from both front sides

Knocking tends to be a sign that something is worn or loose. If it's worn and knocking, it will fail at some point.

Get it checked sooner rather than later, could be something dead simple, could be something more sinister. It's imposible to diagnose without actually seing the truck.

[Albannach]

Have a read of this mate.
http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=51372&highlig ht=ball+joint

Shoddy or amateur workmanship caused that.

[gwh200]

dude thats bum nipping stuff
your lucky you were going at slow speed
first i have ever seen do this


Albannach you mention a knocking first
mines knocking its nuts off from both front sides

well stop bl00dy well driving it george !!!
it might be something a s simple as wheel bearings or arb 's clanging....but waht if a wheel detaches when your bowling down the road and hits someone........get it checked mate

[NiftyNev]

Ball joints look like they have never been greased other than when they were made. I've seen ball joints break and they are always the bottom one. It's usually the stud that fails in the ones I've seen. In this case it looks like the top one snapped after because it was forced beyond it's pivot capability. Lack of maintenance seems to be the cause here rather than faulty components.

Nev

[wattyR1]

on a similar note. i had my front wheel fly off when doin 65mph on a dual carraige way. due to the cheap n nasty wheel spacers i got off ebay. not the solid billet type but the (i will save money and they will all be the same) kind of thing. just a wee warning incase anybody`s thinkin of buying the cheap ones. .

[Sancho]

Glad you're OK.

I guess, judging by what others have said, that at least you have demonstrated the importance of keeping things greased up. It never occurred to me that it was that important.

[gwh200]

my rear prop is constantly submersed in mud and water,yet regular greasing has meant its stayed complete.this isnt the cure all but greasing components is EXTREMELY important

[tintin]

Got the grease gun and cartridge of grease.!
Just need the "balls of steel" to get out there in the cold and lay under the truck.
(some idea of what to grease and how would probably help too!)

alan

[TobyJug]

d@mn lucky no body got hurt mate....
Good luck with that...