A few thoughts on LBJs:

[samsquantch]

Hi guys,
Just a few observations on LBJs. Recently got this sweet rust-free 96 5 speed, elocker, 265k mi. Front end really sloppy in steering and suspension. Replaced worn out shocks with 5100s+880 OME. Helped tighten up handling some. Alignment guys pointed out bad LCA bushings, but 2 shops said LBJs were ok. No noticable play. Replaced them anyway and now much tighter, no clunks or wobbles. Old ones don't click by hand, but do move a little freely, boots mostly intact.

Moral of story, in my experience it is difficult to observe worn LBJs by hand. Mine were definitely worn, as new ones fixed big clunking and wobbling issues, but everyone missed it.

If you're on the fence, I would suggest doing them. Also order outer tie rod ends. Mine were junk (stripped out) and it was hard to find any at the last minute. Napa premium outer TRE are triple5, made in Japan. Only OEM for LBJ.

 

[RS Dude]

Word of caution: I too was duped by the 555 made in Japan...they are junk.

 

[rightyouareken]

FWIW, Camelback has the LBJs for $104 each (I just ordered them this week), which seems pretty reasonable to me for something we can expect to last another 15+ years. Doesn't seem worth the risk to save something like $50-100 on something so important to safety.

 

[shadow247]

Word of caution: I too was duped by the 555 made in Japan...they are junk.

Yeah I bought some AC Delco branded 555's and they were junk. Boots were torn and completely sloppy after about 40k miles. I just replaced with OEM about 2k miles ago.

Toyota of Dallas also has a great deal on the ball joints. I am local, so I was able to save the shipping which made it slightly cheaper than Camelback or anywhere else that I had to pay for shipping.

 

[jgue467]

...
Moral of story, in my experience it is difficult to observe worn LBJs by hand. ...

How exactly do you mean observe by "hand"?

Do you mean the vehicle was lifted just enough to apply tool underneath tire to check for LBJ wear thereby simulating load on LBJs?

Luck and enjoy the Runner. :cowboy:

 

[shadow247]

How exactly do you mean observe by "hand"?

Do you mean the vehicle was lifted just enough to apply tool underneath tire to check for LBJ wear thereby simulating load on LBJs?

Luck and enjoy the Runner. :cowboy:

I "tested" mine using the FSM method, and they showed to be fine, but since the boots are torn, I replaced them anyway. I pulled them out and they were so loose I could move them any direction with minimal effort. It was a struggle to get the new OEM ball joint to move at all.

 

[jgue467]

I "tested" mine using the FSM method, and they showed to be fine, but since the boots are torn, I replaced them anyway. I pulled them out and they were so loose I could move them any direction with minimal effort. It was a struggle to get the new OEM ball joint to move at all.

That's what I was getting at, LBJs cannot be accurately "tested" by hand alone.

 

[samsquantch]

Hey guys,
I used OEM for LBJ and 555 for outer tie rod ends. Was the best available option in a pinch. Are you saying 555 TREs are junk or just the LBJs?

Regarding the testing, I mean I lifted the control arm enough to fit a long lever under the tire and observed no play. This and 2 shops told me they were ok, but my clunking and wandering on bumps is vastly improved. I take that to mean they needed replacing, but I wouldn't have known.

 

[phattyduck]

Hey guys,
I used OEM for LBJ and 555 for outer tie rod ends. Was the best available option in a pinch. Are you saying 555 TREs are junk or just the LBJs?

Regarding the testing, I mean I lifted the control arm enough to fit a long lever under the tire and observed no play. This and 2 shops told me they were ok, but my clunking and wandering on bumps is vastly improved. I take that to mean they needed replacing, but I wouldn't have known.

555 won't be as good for the tie rods, etc. - but will work fine (they don't fail catastrophically!).

The lower ball joint testing procedure is fairly specific in the FSM. Since the ball joint is fully loaded by the weight of the truck, normal testing procedures don't work.

Proper Lower Ball Joint Inspection & Testing Procedure

Official Lower Ball Joint Write Up Thread

(truck jacked up, apply force to ball joint, check for play with dial indicator)

-Charlie

 

[samsquantch]

Thanks for that nice write-up on inspection. I hadn't seen that. Makes sense with my experience here. LBJs were probably shot, but nobody perceived play in them because just 0.5 mm matters.