1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Terrible off alignment after ball joint repl

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Georgios, Sep 17, 2019.

  1. Georgios

    Georgios Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2018
    126
    85
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I have replaced the ball joints and the sway bar links on the Prius (old ones had torn boots) and I installed new rotors and pads too. Once I put everything back together both wheels are pointing inside pretty severe with steering wheel centered. I have Not removed the tie rod ends at all! And now few lights came on and as far as they know the car knows it's out of alignment. I didnt attempt to drive it ofcourse.
    What should I do? Should I turn the nuts on the tie rod ends and make the wheels somewhat straighter so I can drive it 3 blocks to the alignment shop?

    For reference about 6 months ago I replaced both front wheel bearings and I back then have removed the whole spindle from the tie rods and everything and when I put it back together the alignment was almost perfectly stright. I still did an alignment but nothing was so bad. And now not even removing the tie rods at all can cause this???

    Thank you
     

    Attached Files:

  2. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2014
    2,002
    745
    0
    Location:
    Finland
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Maybe ball joints are wrong type? With new ones being shorter? Or they are installed wrong on the lower control arm? Don't turn the tie rods or drive it as that can damage your driveshaft or transmission.
     
  3. Georgios

    Georgios Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2018
    126
    85
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Therr is no way ball joint is installed srong. They are not directional
     
  4. M in KC

    M in KC Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2014
    358
    106
    0
    Location:
    KC, MO
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    If only three block to the alignment rack I think you would be inclined to drive it there. Otherwise call a hook and have them deliver it there for you. Ball joints are a suspension wear item but I haven't witnessed the extreme effect of toe-in replacing them as you have pictured. No chance in not installing both front wheels cock-eyed.? I know its a stretch and clearly you are comfortable around wrenching on cars so no insult intended. Just looking for easy simply explanations.
     
  5. Georgios

    Georgios Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2018
    126
    85
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Thank you
    I realized now they sold me ball joints for 04 Rav 4. Unbelievable. They fit and look almost identical. I will now install the correct ones and see if i have done any damage to the rack even if i didnt actually drive it
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  6. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2016
    6,097
    5,809
    0
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    @valde3 absolutely NAILED IT!!

    Well done!!
     
    Skibob and edthefox5 like this.
  7. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2014
    2,002
    745
    0
    Location:
    Finland
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    What I ment was that you could maybe install it wrong in lower controll arm so that only 2 of 3 bolts would alighn and with the wrong bolt holes.

    No you shouldn't! If wheel alignment is off do to ball join wheel (and knuckle) is also too far or close to knucle. That can break the driveshaft or transmission.

    It's very common to get the wrong part. Often it happens multiple times in a row. You just need to check your parts carefully.

    If it feels normal when you turn the wheel by hand turning (both front wheels of the ground) there should be no damage to driveshafts. And transmission damage is very unlikely if you didn't drive it. No other parts can't really be damaged because of that.
     
  8. Georgios

    Georgios Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2018
    126
    85
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    So problem is solved.
    Yes parts were wrong(for Rav4) but i installed them correct and the 3 bolts alligned on the wrong part too. How wierd

    Now i got the correct ones and the tires are pointing straigh. Drove it on the driveway and no noises. I didnt want to drive it on the street because those lights came on and i have to look for my VCDS cable to reset them. If i cant find it i will try the scangauge2

    Picture for refference:
    The left ball joint is the rav4 and the right 2 ball joints are for prius2 - one is oem used one is aftermarket.
    Very easy to tell which is which when you look at the top bolt (red circles)
    The rav4 design is pretty much a triangle around the top bolt while the prius part is much like an oval
    Thank you guys for the time and help
     

    Attached Files:

    Mendel Leisk and Raytheeagle like this.
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,691
    38,232
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Geez they are pretty close.