5th gen lower ball joint write up

[Pathfinder!]

Most people go this route because the time wasted and frustration of trying to pop out the ball joints from a LCA arent worth it

I remember doing this job on my Expedition. I thought I would just spend a couple hours swapping the ball joints and replacing the air suspension. Ended up having it up on jack stands for 2 days of hell while my neighbors thought I had lost my mind because I was cursing so loud and throwing things.

 

[Xtremluck]

In my case it would of been $1000 for 2 factory LCA with a dirty ,greasy 1 year warranty , and I still would of had to buy cam bolts and sleeves etc because I would of destroyed them taking the LCA off .

I'm into this for $120 for both sides with a lifetime warranty , and they will be easy (or easier ) to remove next time cause I anti seized the s&#t out of everything , they should just come out with the 1/2 impact next time without unbolting the LCA , its a no brainer somewhat

Also they are greaseable , I love flushing them out with grease knowing there are no contaminants in there unlike the factorys

I seriously dread the day I have to do this. Did your LBJs have a lot of play?

 

[caper]

I seriously dread the day I have to do this. Did your LBJs have a lot of play?

Yep they were clunking with noticeable up and down play with a pry bar

If you live in a rust free zone it will be easy and an enjoyable task ( if ya got the correct tools at hand), Wasn't that bad for me only a few curse words but then again every job here is a fight with rust so maybe my anger threshold is higher than most for these types of things ,

 

[dot_tom]

I knew there was no way we would have to replace the entire lower arm. Nice detail on the snap ring size. I'll be doing my own LBJ when the time comes.

 

[neatoneto]

Thanks for writing this up. I have to do my LBJ boots wince they’re kinda torn. Toyota sells just the boot which I purchased but do you think it’s doable without removing the whole LBJ?!

 

[dot_tom]

Thanks for writing this up. I have to do my LBJ boots since they’re kinda torn. Toyota sells just the boot which I purchased but do you think it’s doable without removing the whole LBJ?!

I have already replaced my boots once on both sides. This is very easy to do and you do not need to remove the ball joint.

Jack up the 4Runner and support with jack stand.
Support lower arm with jack.
Remove two 19mm bolts holding LBJ bracket on.
Lower jack to lower control arm.
Remove the LBJ bracket.
Remove dust boot.
Clean, grease, and install new dust boot.
Reassemble.

Here is a link to the dust cover. These guys ship fast. I reused the original dust boot retaining clip. They aren't the same but the original worked better for me.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4334569025...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

 

[MossJenks]

Getting ready to do one of my boots - what method do y'all use to separate the LBJ from the LBJ bracket. With the shape of the bracket obviously the two-hammer method won't work and it doesn't look like a pickle fork would either. Do you just use a 3-jaw puller?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[caper]

they both came out with a light tap with a hammer for me surprisingly enough , that's where the easy work stopped , from there on out it fought back hard .

 

[honda250xtitan]

When the time comes i'll just bite the bullet and go with these like i did on the nissan.. https://dirtkingfabrication.com/col...ucts/performance-lower-control-arms-dk-814904

 

[Mutant138]

So much..rust... rust... rust... RUUUUUSSSSTTTTTAAAHH!

Please label this thread NSFW. I wasn't ready! :sobbing:

 

[CutthroatSlam]

When the time comes i'll just bite the bullet and go with these like i did on the nissan.. https://dirtkingfabrication.com/col...ucts/performance-lower-control-arms-dk-814904

$1500 and they’re not even forged? I guess it’s the “Dirt King” sticker. No thanks.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

In my case it would of been $1000 for 2 factory LCA with a dirty ,greasy 1 year warranty , and I still would of had to buy cam bolts and sleeves etc because I would of destroyed them taking the LCA off .

I'm into this for $120 for both sides with a lifetime warranty , and they will be easy (or easier ) to remove next time cause I anti seized the s&#t out of everything , they should just come out with the 1/2 impact next time without unbolting the LCA

( only unbolted it to try and use hyd press , got the other side without unbolting and would of got the first one too if I had put more effort into it instead of trying to take easy way out with hyd press )

its a no brainer somewhat to install aftermarket , just for the cost and warranty

Also they are greaseable , I love flushing them out with new grease often , ensuring there are no contaminants in there unlike guessing with the factory ones

And no alliginment needed if ya don't replace LCA's , more cost savings BONUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A tip for installing press fit LBJs is to stick them in the freezer for a couple hours beforehand. They shrink slightly and go in easier.

 

[honda250xtitan]

$1500 and they’re not even forged? I guess it’s the “Dirt King” sticker. No thanks.

Yea its all about the sticker man!:first:

 

[caper]

A tip for installing press fit LBJs is to stick them in the freezer for a couple hours beforehand. They shrink slightly and go in easier.

yes forgot to mention that , I did do that and also I heat the socket gently with the oxy/act just before putting them in to expand it , it does make a difference for sure I believe .

 

[Jivewalker]

Great but scary thread. My time has come I believe.

 

[Jeremy556]

Great but scary thread. My time has come I believe.

Better off just replacing the whole arms. At 200k+ your bushings are nearing end of life as well

 

[Jivewalker]

Better off just replacing the whole arms. At 200k+ your bushings are nearing end of life as well

Might have to go that route. Doing inner and outer TRE's first. Those arms and bushings are salty.

 

[DougR]

Might have to go that route. Doing inner and outer TRE's first. Those arms and bushings are salty.

A lower control arm with bushings and ball joint is $331 (online price) at Camelback Toyota. Price has dropped from $500 as cited earlier. If you elect to buy after market, what brand would you buy?

 

[tls3601]

A lower control arm with bushings and ball joint is $331 (online price) at Camelback Toyota. Price has dropped from $500 as cited earlier. If you elect to buy after market, what brand would you buy?

Good question and what type of warranty, I like the idea of greasable

 

[Jhalko]

Great but scary thread. My time has come I believe.

I replaced my LCA’s back in the spring, I went OE. Sawzalling out all the seized bolts was required but otherwise it’s easy. I was generous with the anti seize during reassembly.