Symptoms
Torn boots weeping grease, clunks over bumps, vague steering.
The fix, step by step
- It's the same front end as the GX 470.
- Support the truck, remove the wheel and separate the lower ball joint from the knuckle and arm.
- Then either press in a new joint (owners cite MOOG and Sankei 555 replacements) or fit a complete lower arm with joint and bushings.
- Make sure the grease fitting faces somewhere you can reach, grease the new joint if it came dry, and get an alignment.
- On KDSS-equipped GX 470s, buy KDSS-specific parts.
Tools & part numbers
- Ball-joint press
- joint separator
- torque wrench
- grease gun
Where to buy the parts
Lower ball joint, 2002–2009 GX470/120 Series/FJ (SUS43330)CruiserTeq ↗Amazon ↗
Ball joint kit, 2002–2009 GX470/12x (SUSGX470BJKIT)CruiserTeq ↗Amazon ↗
SuperPro front lower control arm set, LC120/GX470 non-KDSS (SUSTRC481)CruiserTeq ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.