tack rod ends

has any one had the ball joint part of the track rod end fall out?? on sunday i was out at a pay and play day, i had been there about 4 hours went to the car par for a brew started to drive back in and the steeing wheel went very light and did not work. the ball joint had fallen out and the other side was very lose too. i dont no if they are the orignal ones but i in tend to fit grease nipples to the new ones(40 pound) to keep them lubed better.the ball joint was full of mud.my jimny is the first 4x4 off road toy i have owned and are not sure what eles needs whatching out for any help? if the ball joint had come off on the road at 40mph i could of killed some one. i intend to strip my jimny for a full grease round and fit nipples where i can befor my next outting. i will take befor and after photos and post them to mr big jimny

michael

i am going to replace all 4, the other 3 have loads of play in the ball joints and one looks like it could be bent. i am also going to take all the radius arms of to clean and grease as mine have grease nipples but are hard to get to so its easyer to take them off to grease. they is also a bush which needs replacing on one of the radius arm. i also plan to change the oil and filter, take the radiator of to clean out and changed the bearing in the power steering pully as it making a right noise. if i get time befor next sundays outing a new water pump will go on it as they is a small leek. does any one no if the timing belt runs the water pump?(2000 w) also will the radius arm bushs be standed part if they have been changed for heavy duty ones? and will i need to have the tracking set up if i take all the track rod ends of? i will take photos as i go michael

I had one of mine drop off just like you describe. I now check them regularly. I'd had done 80,000 miles and been through 5 years of off roading before it went! As for the water pump, if its the single cam engin the alternator belt runs the water pump, don't know on the twin cam motor. As for setting up the track rods, measure the old ones centre to centre to get an approx length for the new ones then get it checked at a local garage.