Keep an eye on your ball joints as seems is more common then I thought for them to fail. Lost my 2nd on same side day before yesterday. I was lucky again and was going slow. Real PITA to change in the mud. Mine gave no warning but such is life driving older trucks and the abuse they get trapping.
Ball Joint Failure

Gave mine a quick overlook other day while greasing U-joints. Have a wheel bearing that needs some attention just started making noise. Have 208,000 on my Tacoma, some general maintenance is to be expected soon myself. Probably do my project when weather warms.

What year is your truck Pete? Bullet box had a lot of front end problems with his. I'm wondering if that may be a widespread problem with the 2nd generation Tacomas. I've not had any that new, and have had no front end issues.

Gen 1 1995 - 2004
Gen 2 2005 - 2014
Gen 3 2015 and up

The 2000 model I'm driving now is 630 miles from the 600,000 mile mark. It should make that in the next few days.

Hmmm, how can this be? I thought that stuff ran forever and ever? Now I am confused!

I had one fail last year. 2008 model, right around 150000 miles. Kinda ruins your day.

Mine is a 98 with 250000 on it. They had a recall on some that covered most of the first generation. That link shows the 01 through 04 only though.

Have a tundra and love it,my buddy has a 2012 Chevy 1500,just put his second transmission in......

Mine was a 2002

Drifter what year and milage is on your truck ? I know it's a pain in the rear but ball joints are a wear item like brakes and such. They don't last forever.

Not sure about ball joints being widespread, but i will keep an eye on mine.. Mines a 2006 gen 2, 1gr-fe motor. The 8 inch clamshell front ends sometimes have Needle bearings fail on drivers side. The bearings arent big enough to support stress from axle, especially with lift on the truck. Creates a humming noise around 30mph. East coast gear supply makes a bushing you can replace it with, suppose to cure the needle bearing issues.

My 98 lost a ball joint last year. Long hike out of the woods but better than doing 65 on the freeway.

@northmocats. Not to hijack, but i replaced the needle bearing with the bushing from east coast gear supply and can say that it definitely works. I put one in my 04 sequoia and the problem that you were speaking of was solved. Quality fix.

Had a 2004 and sold it with 275,000 on it. Wish I still had it.
Shortbed, lockouts, regular cab with 5 speed manual.

Had a trans synchronizer go bad, but that's it.
A guy fixed it for 175 bucks.

Northmocats It is a 98 now with 256000 I think or right close. The replacement has less then 20,000 on it before it snapped off flush with the bracket.

Drifter are you replacing with factory parts or quality aftermarket parts?

All we buy are Toyota pickup trucks, Tacomas and Tundras. They have all served phenomenally.

Thanks for the feedback always good to here from other owners experiences.

I have an 04 Tacoma with 233000 miles on it never had any trouble with ball joints but had a tie rod end replaced once

2017 or dbclb 3500 miles ,so far so good!

I've had the same luck as Pete. I've got a 98 with coming on to 190 k and have had two snap on me, both in the pastures trapping. The same side, DS and the first was about ten years ago with less than a 100 k, the last one this winter. They snap off clean, no sign of cracking or crystallization. Just leave ya setting! lol. I checked with the napa store today, because I had a guy fix mine this time rather than doing it myself. He said they had a heavy duty joint, and that's what I had put in. The napa guy couldn't find one that was listed as heavy duty, so it's back to the drawing board. I will stop and see the guy who fixed it and find out more about this heavy duty one. I know it was priced right at double what the standard one cost, but I figured if it never happened again, it is money well spent. I plan to be buried in mine.....just kidding, but will keep it till it quits permanently!