Team420

Replaced all 4 BJ's roughly 6k ago, and the lower on the driver side is already bad... any thoughts as to what could cause this? I am not a noob with BJ's, I have done many, and know what I'm doing, I did grease them after. They were the cheapos from the local parts guy, but only 6k??? Never seen one go that quick.

1styota4X4

They were the cheapos from the local parts guy, but only 6k??? Never seen one go that quick. [/QUOTE]

I think you answered your question... ...I tried one cheapo cause It was all they had it went bad in about 3 months...after that I went and got Toyota parts...Mine was on my 4runner below..

Team420

I could see that on your rig....mine is 100% bone stock tho, and I have used the cheapo's on my 93 as well....have 50k on those, and still in good shape, and they were a rough 50k...lol.

Team420

Bump....
think maybe I just got a bad one? The parts guy is gonna give me a free moog bj to replace it.... but what could cause a balljoint to wear that fast? I hope the new one does not wear that fast!!

BTW...this truck has not been offroad since the new bj's... all highway miles.

Matt16

ANy odd tire wear?

RustBucket

iTrader: (1)

Did they come pre-greased?

Team420

No more than normal with a bad BJ....

Yes, and then I greased them before and after lowering the truck.... Like I said...I have the same thing in my 93... and they have been there 50k... and no play.

This truck was in an accident before I bought it... the P.O. said he was hit in the rear quarter(hence no bumper) in a parking lot... I could not see any visual evidence of a bent frame.... or anything... the damage wasnt really that bad... so.... thats why I am confused

abecedarian

I can't think of anything other than poor manufacturing tolerances, poor quality control or lack of lubrication that would cause a lower ball joint to fail. all it does is keep the steering knuckle in place- it doesn't even carry any significant weight- the upper arm is what the torsion bar leverages against.
the only other plausible thing I can come up with (and this is a stretch) is that the lower arm bushings are way stiff and not flexing as they should putting abnormal pressures on the ball joint, but like I said- that's a serious stretch, and likely not enough to cause failure in 6000 miles.

Matt16

Any warrantee? Sounds defective. Im surprised that there isn't any weird wear on the tires that might indicate a bent frame or "interesting" alignment.

Team420

Ya...if anything...the ca bushings are loose... but all feels well, except the bj.... It has to be a defect.... even with a bent frame...6k?? I would notice other things before the bj wouldnt I?

Ya...theres a warranty... the parts guy ordered me a moog bj, and I know those are good ones...so I guess we shall see.... O...and dont get me wrong...there is some cupping on my front d-side tire... and very little in the rears... nothing I wouldnt expect to see with a bad bj tho.

Thanks for the comments guys... I will replace the bj this week, and see what happens... Unfortunately... I have to work today, and that means a 300mi drive... hope it lasts...

jsn_stockard

The moogs are way better. One of the guys in my group bought the cheapest ones Auto Zone had and his lasted 8000 miles, but his had some good wheeling time.

Team420

Ya...I didnt expect these things to last forever lol, maybe 30k, If I had been wheeling this thing... it might also make more sense. 6k just seems completely unreasonable to me.
The parts guy mad a deal with me... bring in all 4 house brand bj's and exchange them for moogs, gonna cost me about $60 to get all 4(hes giving me one for free). The moogs are $55(my cost) and the house brand was $35(my cost), so from now on....only moog front end parts.

jsn_stockard

I also use marine grease in mine, but we do quite a bit of deep water crossing. The moogs have been doing me great, I beat this truck pretty bad, we do a wide variety of things with our trucks, from mud to rocks to a high speed off road section. They are the strongest ones I have run.