Hey guys

2002 4wd, 203k miles

I am the second owner, only having the 4R for a few months. I have been going through it and handling a few things, although the original owner took great care of it and had all service records etc.

This 4R had the LBJ recall done to it in 2005 at around 49,000 miles. With it being 14 years and 150k miles since replacement I figure its time. So I was preparing to order the parts and checked play first. While looking I found these plastic covers around the ball joint. My 97 did not have these and it seems most do not. Were these an 01-02 thing? Put on when the recall was done? Anybody know.

Found a part number for them in a different thread, but not much other info
PN: 43346-60011

Yes, it came in 01 and 02. Not a must to have, but at 150K miles on the LBJ, I'll replace it ONLY with OEM. Aftermarket lasts less than 20k miles.

I was definitely going OEM and 8 new mounting bolts as well. I suppose I will re use that cover, downside is that you cannot tell the condition of the rubber boot with it in place

random question, did you own a few mr2s?

That is annoying you cant check it with that there I wonder if it extends the life in any way lmao

Sure did

I'd have to guess that the intended function is to protect the boot from being poked at and ripped by 'stuff' going by. A ripped boot will certainly lead to a dry ball joint and rapidly progress to failure.

But I don't know of any sort of trouble with boots getting torn on otherwise fairly new ball joints, and it's really nice to be able to quickly peek at them and see if they're leaking grease.