Stupid lower ball joint question - Toyota 4Runner Forum

Timjtitus · 08-06-2020, 10:07 AM

If the bolt on the lower ball joint is not under load. Can it spin freely? I had the castle it on it and tightening it turned the bolt. I adjusted the control arm so that the ball joint was fully set and the castle nut turned fine. The lower ball joint is 2 years old with around 30,000 miles on it. Should I just replace it to be safe?

Bad Luck · 08-06-2020, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timjtitus

If the bolt on the lower ball joint is not under load. Can it spin freely? I had the castle it on it and tightening it turned the bolt. I adjusted the control arm so that the ball joint was fully set and the castle nut turned fine. The lower ball joint is 2 years old with around 30,000 miles on it. Should I just replace it to be safe?

Normal operation

ArmArak · 08-06-2020, 11:45 AM

Yup, that's how it's supposed to be.

phattyduck · 08-06-2020, 01:50 PM

Wait, the nut was loose when you checked it after driving 20k miles? If so, that is *not* normal.

I would suggest removal and inspection if that is the case. You could have damaged either or both taper or the threads/shank of the ball joint. That area is very critical and likely the ball joint should be replaced (with OEM) if there is any question about its condition.

-Charlie

Timjtitus · 08-07-2020, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phattyduck

Wait, the nut was loose when you checked it after driving 20k miles? If so, that is *not* normal.

I would suggest removal and inspection if that is the case. You could have damaged either or both taper or the threads/shank of the ball joint. That area is very critical and likely the ball joint should be replaced (with OEM) if there is any question about its condition.

-Charlie

I was putting the Lca back on after changing bushings

Bad Luck · 08-07-2020, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boluker

You need to change it 100%, I would do that, because as you can see you do not really understand this and for the sake of safely you can replace the part)

Why do you think he needs to change it?

Edit: Pretty sure this guy is another spam bot, but in case he's not I'll leave this here.

Bad Luck · 08-07-2020, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timjtitus

I was putting the Lca back on after changing bushings

That's normal for the joint to spin until you have the ball joint forced into the taper enough for friction to stop the ball joint from rotating. Same thing can happen with the outer tie rod to knuckle joint.

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