Troubleshooting lower control arm & ball joints?

Get a large pry bar and try flexing the suspension components. Observe the joint/connection points between components. Everything should move in unison. If one part moves then the next, its likely one or both components are worn. Holding and trying to move the wheel at the 12 and 6, 10 and 4 and 2 and 7 positions and other methods to use while the wheel is off the ground and the suspension unloaded.

The good news on these cars, the ball joints are extremely service friendly. The LCA I believe are a bit more involved.

 

You were told right. Clunks are the beginning symptom.

 

Go on you tube and search this. Many videos on how to check BJ's using the pry bar.

Car should be on a lift though, difficult doing it laying down. An alternative go to the tire shop you buy tires from. They will give them a free look see.

 

Yes, the original suspension on a 13 year old car is worn out. With the wheels off, you can see the lower arm bushings; they are most likely cracked and hard by now.

GOOD LUCK!

 

Not so fast...

Not "new" does not mean worn out, even at 15YO w/230k+ on it, the suspension on the '05 is hardly "worn out"; worn, absolutely, but in need of refitting, not YET. Just like tires, 6/32" is worn, 5/32" is very, 4/32" is really, 3/32" is borderline dangerous, but ONLY 2/32" is WORN OUT.

 

What do you attribute the clunking to?

 

The component making the noise, not the whole suspension as you suggested.

 

Same here.

While you wait:

 

Prius is pretty easy to check ball joints. I looked in my Bentley and all you do is slide a floor jack under the LCA and gently jack it up then let it down and watch for any movement of the joint. The only hard part is I don't think you can get a jack under there the car is so low.

Its a non load bearing joint get the wheel off the ground and look for any movement of the joint with a wheel vertical flex hands at 12 and 6 on the wheel. Tug away.

The Toyota oem price on the LCA is $165 and the ball joint is $65 for one side so its $450 + ship for both sides plus labor. Big job probably $300 labor.

With all that I would get new stabilizer links too that's another $200 all in then going to need a front end alignment. $100.

$1000. Good times.

 

Well hard to tell how urgent it is can you feel something weird in the steering especially going around corners?
If there that bad they will fail the jiggle on the wheel test. When I say jiggle I mean like a Mr T would jiggle it. Put some mustard on it should not be any movement at all especially from the bottom of the wheel. Act like your trying to pull the wheel off from the bottom. Any movement of the wheel at all and the joint is bad. There's only one ball joint a lower joint on each side. And its bolted to the end of the lower control arm.

The LCA is a bitch to get out one side has a bolt that wont clear the engine. You have to jack up the engine a little to get it out. If the mechanic has never done a G2 LCA before he will scratch his head for a while on that one. There's half an hour lol....cha ching...

 

The wheel jiggle works really well if you have a friend who knows what he's looking at watch the area while your on the 12 and 6 on the wheel then change hand positions on the wheel jiggle all the way around the tire and friend watches the tie rods the stab links and the Bj. None of those should move at all. No play. If really bad you may even see the LCA move. Thats bad. Thats really worn.

Just google You Tube there's thousands on what to watch for.

PS- I have not seen many LCA's or BJ replacements 13 years on this site. There have been a bunch but not a common issue for either. Most people don't even hear the clunk. I hear everything its really annoying.

 

Check motor & transaxle mounts.

 

... or could be the parking pawl thunking out under pressure. One reason I always use my foot park brake, but especially on any kind of incline.

 

That doesn't sound like the lca's or ball joint issue.

My 07 that I don't drive much its the wifes car I drove the other day and now are hearing a little clunking in the front end like the lca's.

I asked her how long has it been doing that noise and she said what noise.