Thread: Tell me about D3 ball joints?

Just looked up my invoice, had both fronts replaced as part of the major 100K service (I bought it at 88K)
total cost of new suspension arms and fitting and wheel alignment came out at $1500. or $750 a side. done in July. 2012

I keep reading that this is a heavy vehicle and to expect maintenance because of that, To me it is not a heavy vehicle ! coming from an 80series which was almost the same tare and gross weight.
I have just returned from our property in the N.T. where we run quite a fleet of 79series tray tops all come in at 3000kgs in fitted up trim, and they get a belting,I could not stay with the work utes in the D3 on give and take station roads. If they have to do anything to these vehicles other than shockers under 200K they raise the roof.

DD

Originally Posted by Glynhouse

Just looked up my invoice, had both fronts replaced as part of the major 100K service (I bought it at 88K)
total cost of new suspension arms and fitting and wheel alignment came out at $1500. or $750 a side. done in July. 2012

I keep reading that this is a heavy vehicle and to expect maintenance because of that, To me it is not a heavy vehicle ! coming from an 80series which was almost the same tare and gross weight.
I have just returned from our property in the N.T. where we run quite a fleet of 79series tray tops all come in at 3000kgs in fitted up trim, and they get a belting,I could not stay with the work utes in the D3 on give and take station roads. If they have to do anything to these vehicles other than shockers under 200K they raise the roof.

DD

I am no expert at suspension but when you see the arms when they are out, the rear bush which I believe is the one that fails first doesn't seem big enough to me. The bush sits about level with the back of the front wheel, but the front sits about level with the centre of the wheel, so more stress and work must sit on the rear bush.

I have read on the UK site that there has been varying success with the poly bushes, but they may have better success on aussie roads.
The difference in the car after the replacement is very noticable, and am glad I did the job.

Cheers Ean

Just picked the beast up today and it came in at a tickle under $2700. Gotta say I was happy with that as it was a full front end rebuild and rotors/pads front and back. They also clipped me flapping door trims back on. [] Interesting that they have gone to genuine lower wishbones... part number LR028249.... 10.2kg each...

Labor all up was about $560 which I thought was quite reasonable given the amount of time it takes to pull the front apart plus do all the brakes and an alignment of course.

Got a full parts list on the invoice and the rotors were about $100 each and this mob don't like to use the cheaper stuff so all up, it was a fair result.

Nice to be driving a good D3 again! I won't be flogging it hard again after all this.
Hope you are all enjoying yours after your work is done too. []
Cheers.

Originally Posted by Mully

Just picked the beast up today and it came in at a tickle under $2700. Gotta say I was happy with that as it was a full front end rebuild and rotors/pads front and back. They also clipped me flapping door trims back on. [] Interesting that they have gone to genuine lower wishbones... part number LR028249.... 10.2kg each...

Labor all up was about $560 which I thought was quite reasonable given the amount of time it takes to pull the front apart plus do all the brakes and an alignment of course.

Got a full parts list on the invoice and the rotors were about $100 each and this mob don't like to use the cheaper stuff so all up, it was a fair result.

Nice to be driving a good D3 again! I won't be flogging it hard again after all this.
Hope you are all enjoying yours after your work is done too. []
Cheers.

Glad you are happy, its rare to see someone happy with the repair bill, and accept that it is getting value for $$.

Enjoy. Cheerz Ean

Originally Posted by Glynhouse

I keep reading that this is a heavy vehicle and to expect maintenance because of that,

I think its inevitable that an independent suspension setup that has more than just a little travel is going to be hard on bushes compared with a live axle. Someone suggested the RRS bushes might be better because they are stiffer but the RRS seems to have less suspension travel so might not last as long if the suspension travel is utilised. Larger diameter bushes might not last longer but longer ones may.

Originally Posted by Ean Austral

Glad you are happy, its rare to see someone happy with the repair bill, and accept that it is getting value for $$.

Enjoy. Cheerz Ean

So true mate. I was honestly expecting near double due to the list of stuff to be done hence the big cost comment to keep these on the road.

The labor bill was good for all the work I thought hence the happy thoughts. Now for the rest of the list most of which I'll do myself.

Deep pockets are certainly required to own a D3 with all the usual issues.
I get the usual comments from the Toyo friends of course.
Cheers.