Front end grind

97 SR5 w/ 185K is grinding behind passenger front wheel when turning in either direction. First thought is bearings, but have since been reading about issues with the ball joints. Anyone have this issue in the past or know what I could be looking at? Picked this up for my son and have nothing but issues ever since.

 

Ball joints are a known issue, and welcome to the forum.

 

Man, bearings on these things are massive. Not saying they never go bad but I wouldn't think 185k is enough to wear one out. 185k miles is enough to need ball joints though.

I had 250k on my 2002 before I swapped upper and lower ball joints. I had the steering knuckle off and the wheel bearings had no play in them whatsoever.

Is this a 4x4 rig? Grinding when you turn the wheel stopped or only when driving?

I thought Ball Joints will generally exhibit bad behavior when going over bumps (vertical travel). Not really a grinding. I would suspect something that moves with the wheel or front axle if you have a 4x4.

 

I would check your half shafts if it's 4x4. I've had them make some racket when they go bad. Especially lower speed turns like pulling into parking spots.

 

I concur. CV joints will go bad over time (especially if the truck’s been lifted).