pattycakes77

iTrader: (2)

Sorry to see that Ace. I was reading LBJ failure threads last year and decided it was time to do them before I had a failure. I went all OEM, then had to get tie rod ends, then had to get inner tie rods. When I replaced my frame I went with the Light Racing UCAs with an easily swappable upper ball joint so when things feel a little sloppy all it takes is a quick bolt on/off piece and no more pressing in parts.

Glad you didn't suffer any body damage, you or the 4runner.

DailyDrive

Check your LBJs using the proper procedure thats in the Toyota service manual. Upper ball joints are not load-bearing, and there are no reported issues with them. If your LBJs are within spec, don't 'fix' what's not broken.

rworegon

While I generally agree with this advice, however, after seeing numerous LBJ failures here and on other forums it's something to change as a PM item. Either miles or age is killing them and the design causes bad things to happen when they fail.
The testing procedure in the FSM may not be sufficient to detect a failing LBJ, IMO.

DailyDrive

You have 2 parts that fit into each other. The job of the parts is to stay together by the fact that one is bigger than the other. Toyota engineers using their collective knowledge and experience published a wear figure, that says if this part is bigger than that part by this much, they won't separate, and here is how you measure it. How is mesuring that wear not sufficient?

snobdds

I have 235,000 miles on my OEM suspension parts and they're still going strong. I lift each tire up on the front end and check for play every couple of months. They are still tight and nothing is loose. Granted this is on an 88 when Toyota actually made the joint more of a fail safe design. That is one thing Toyota should have never changed, the design of the ball joints from the earlier design.

85GT-79FJ40

My originals have 260k on them in my 96. Just had it aligned and front end all checked out 7k miles ago. Still tight. My old 00 4Runner has originals in it too and it's at about 230k now. I wouldn't say they need preventative replacement but due to the design it's a good idea to check them often. Most of the failures I have seen have been on trucks with oversized tires. This one isn't but larger heavier wheels and tires would certainly put a lot more load on the joints.

hilgeg

Anyone know who makes the OEM lower ball-joints? Google leads me to many options. AC Delco being one? Another is Febest. After research pretty sure it is not the latter but anyone know for sure?

DailyDrive

The day Toyota sources LBJs from ACDelco would be the day Tiffany & Co. releases a 9" Mustang rear end.

hilgeg

Denso, Aisin-Warner...our 4runners are all just a hodge-podge of parts. AC Delco started making replacement parts for Toyota (non OEM) in 2007 so its not above Toyota to re-source stuff they no longer want to make. But I do agree that something as potentially damaging at LBJ should be kept in house. Just trying to learn about who's ball-joints I should and shouldn't trust. I have to say the marketing on the Febest makes me want to look into them.

RAD4Runner

Old post but warrants re-emphasizing.

Even if you trust others to work on your vehicle, VERIFY that they did a good job.
My friend bought this used 3rd-gen. Clean vehicle and there was evidence that it was well-cared for. However, knowing that this generation has issues with the lower ball-joint system (BJ under tension, not under compression like 1st and 2nd gens), I took a quick look. BJ's are in good condition but I immediately noticed the the missing cotter pin, AND the gap resulting from nut unscrewing itself as a result. This nut holds the weight of the vehicle, and when it comes off, so do the knuckle and the wheel. Serious consequences would follow.

Normal BJ with Cotter Pin on Castellated Nut:


BJ in Good Condition but No Cotter Pin to Secure Castellated Nut:
The nut has started to get unscrewed...


Video showing Play:

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Good to have friends like You !!

Who knows how much longer to that nut would have vibrated off and at what speed.

cpmitchell77@gmail.c

I know your pain