Does 4th gen 4Runner have risk of catastrophic LBJ failure?

dave4242 · Sep 21, 2013

I have a 2004 v8 Limited. I have noticed when pulling into a parking space at work that i hear a groaning type of sound. I assumed it was my power steering pump but when i did a search, i found these posts of lbj failure with wheel falling off or twisting sideways. Does the 04 fall into this category or was it corrected? I have found conflicting info. Thanks. Dave

JB. · Sep 21, 2013

I've read about many of these on the 3rd gen forum. None on the 4th gen forum.

I have no idea if the joint was improved on the 4th gen or whether the issue will be just as common when the 4th gen accumulates as much collective time and miles as the 3rd has now.

earthrealm · Sep 22, 2013

BOOKMARKED........ i hear a grinding sound sometimes when i wheel fully to the left..methinks mine is the shaft or bearing

zopperman · Sep 22, 2013

my 3rd gen, at 300k 85 MPH in the left lane

typehxr1 · Sep 23, 2013

What is LBJ?

ghostridr · Sep 23, 2013

typehxr1 said:
What is LBJ?

LBJ = Lower Ball Joint

808g19 · Sep 23, 2013

typehxr1 said:
What is LBJ?

Lower ball joint

TRDCal · Sep 23, 2013

I don't think its common on 4th gens...I haven't heard of any issues. My 4runner is at 130ish k miles and I currently have my front end apart to install bushings and UCA's. My upper ball joints were terrible (1/8 inch play), lowers have zero.

Still an important part that should be inspected as routine maintenance (ie: every time you rotate/change your tires) but nothing to "worry" about. A groaning type sound would point towards a bad bearing.

HHIRunner · Sep 23, 2013

I have the same grinding that y'all seem to mention. Only it occurs for me only when I'm on the brakes under 10 mph or in reverse. I have no idea what it is. thought it was a wheel bearing but wouldn't that make a grinding noise at all times?

BlackWorksInc · Sep 23, 2013

zopperman said:
my 3rd gen, at 300k 85 MPH in the left lane

No offense Zopperman, but you ran 300k with the Original LBJ? That alone is asking for trouble...

zopperman · Sep 23, 2013

BlackWorksInc said:
No offense Zopperman, but you ran 300k with the Original LBJ? That alone is asking for trouble...

None taken, but no I didn't, the whole front end was rebuilt around 220k when it was my dad's.

BlackWorksInc · Sep 23, 2013

zopperman said:
None taken, but no I didn't, the whole front end was rebuilt around 220k when it was my dad's.

Wow, that is pretty crazy for a LBJ to fail like that in 80k then.

zopperman · Sep 23, 2013

BlackWorksInc said:
Wow, that is pretty crazy for a LBJ to fail like that in 80k then.

yep, it happened twice. Again at 330ish, i blame the shop for not using OEM parts. Once when prerunning and i hit a hard bump :doh: and the other on the hwy as indicated above

97BlackAckCL · Sep 23, 2013

I get the grinding noise too, would love to know what causes it

Stuck CAPS · Sep 23, 2013

zopperman said:
my 3rd gen, at 300k 85 MPH in the left lane

Nice Negative Camber, dawg! How's it handle? All jokes aside, what did you do in response to that?

zopperman · Sep 23, 2013

Stuck CAPS said:
Nice Negative Camber, dawg! How's it handle? All jokes aside, what did you do in response to that?

Panic. scream, curse

lol but actually, pull over, call tow truck,

Does 4th gen 4Runner have risk of catastrophic LBJ failure?

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