Ball Joint Failure - My Turn

[Blanche_Carolyn]

Did they give you an alignment after install? That may fix it right up. Oh and score for getting them replaced for free!

I'm assuming they didn't, so guess what I'll be doing this weekend!

 

[pdx650]

Don't know

I purchased my 'runner six months ago and am not sure of the maintenance history from the private sale. I had an alignment done after I had all four tires replaced. Maybe I should get this too.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Register here, it has Toyota service history on it. So anything that has been done at the dealer to your vehicle is on it.. and its free!

Toyota Owners - Official Toyota Owners Website

 

[pdx650]

Thanks, ripcord.

 

[CJsport]

Here we go again; I signed up just for this thread. I have a 97 4runner in which this happened to me twice (I know stupid me). First time the truck had 131k on it. My (at the time) 17 yr old daughter in her first week of her license and driving solo had the passenger's side separate and the tire went horizontal. Nice start, huh? No noticeable warnings. Luckily GM insurance covered all but deductible. The dealership fix it and reassured us how solid the driver's side is and that it doesn't need replacement. Not knowing of the extent of the problem, I leerily said ok but have kept an eye on it. I've had alignment on it and have had it serviced at Concord Toyota in California.
Well here we are again; I just had my car serviced at this Concord Toyota dealership in April 2011 about 4000 miles ago, telling them to look out for the ball joints. I had a multi point inspection and got a clean bill with everything, suspension, steering, cv joint, etc. Well my wife and daughter just returned last Sunday evening back from a 150 mile round trip and as they approach 20 ft from the driveway (someone's looking out) the driver's side wheel ball joint separates. I'm getting pissed now, I can accept and understand mechanical failure, but not one that includes a lose of a f@&$king wheel! No real warning signs. This might be a sin, but I'm fairly sure it's never even been on a dirt road. It's light duty usage.
After digging I am finding that the same recalled part from the 2001-2004 is on my vehicle, it is on 96- 2004 models. Part number is 43330-39415. Get this: I found the part they fixed my passenger side is 43330-39585. Both are manufactured by TY. Do they know the first one has problems?? Toyota recommends inspection every 15000 miles, which I have done and then some.
I have never had any vehicle that has a wheel separation like this. Dealer doesn't say to replace these every so and so miles. I'm smelling a class action lawsuit soon to cover the other vehicles not in the recall.
Please keep posting any other problems like this here!!
Let me try to find the pix to post.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I have a 97 4runner in which this happened to me twice (I know stupid me). First time the truck had 131k on it.

CJsport,

Just to be clear:

Are you are saying that you had the ball joints replaced with factory Toyota LBJs?

Also, how many miles and years later was it when the second failure occurred?

 

[CanukRunner]

I got mine replaced!

I bought them from toyotapartsales.com... awsome service to Canada.

I ordered both LBJ's and the castle nuts... They called me saterday afternoon and asked if i wanted the castle nuts because the already came with them...

Impressive.

Any way 77 dollars or so a side... compaired to 187 per side from my dealer.

took 4 days to get and had to pay 25 dollars tax from canada post... but still half the dealer price.

And yes they are genuine Toyota parts.

 

[RS Dude]

Just received my lower BJs from Rockauto. They are the 555 brand made in Japan but sold under the Moog brand with lifetime warranty. They came with bolts, castle nuts, cotter pins:

Left side: Moog K90262 $56.79
Right side: Moog K90263 $57.79
Shipping: $8.15
Tax: $0
Total: $122.73
$61.37 per side

I was very happy with this price!:guitar3:

 

[RS Dude]

I bought mine from NAPA weeks back, and I got a pretty substantial discount on them too...:trophylus they also came with the bolts!

Is the black plug on the side where the zirk fitting goes?

 

[catalina34]

Just saw that my LBJ's were replaced under the recall w/ 35k on the truck. I'm at about 91k now. How long should these be good for/when should I start worrying about replacing them?

 

[quicksilvr]

Picking up my NAPA LBJ's today...install asap. Wife drove the 4runner to work today, and said it felt strange. That's enough for me to park it and not drive it until these new ones are on!

 

[CJsport]

CJsport,

Just to be clear:

Are you are saying that you had the ball joints replaced with factory Toyota LBJs?
Yes.
Also, how many miles and years later was it when the second failure occurred?

The second happened at 168k. The first with 131k back in Sept 2006

Still will look for pix.

 

[bikerjosh]

Lbj

"Just saw that my LBJ's were replaced under the recall w/ 35k on the truck. I'm at about 91k now. How long should these be good for/when should I start worrying about replacing them?"-Catalina34


Depends on how often you put your truck in situations like your avatar?:jk: Just kidding sort of. Some folks believe that the longevity of LBJ's (different manufacturers excluded) are a function of truck suspension mods, i.e. lifts etc place more stress on the LBJs over time as well as trail runs. That said OEMs seem to last 100k+ I would say swapping every 40-50k would be cheap insurance if you have modified suspension or do trail runs occasionally.
Totally just my opinion and I'm new to the whole LBJ failure debate.
So flame at will.:gun6:
josh

 

[CanukRunner]

Nice price on the napa stuff.. made in japan too?

But hold your horses... my lower ball joints from Toyota were painted black not grey... as we all know black paint can hold at least another 3000lbs over the grey paint and weighs 40 pounds less per side.....

So its worth the extra 100 bucks....lol

 

[kruegs]

Shameless plug: I've been wanting to get this done on my 4Runner for a few months now, but don't have the confidence to tackle myself. If anyone in the Denver area is willing to lend a hand with the project fire me a PM. I am willing to pay for help to get the job done right and sleep better at night too. Thanks - Mike

 

[ogden8]

Well, this morning I ran to store to pick something up before work and rememberd that I had forgot my check book at home and decided to run home and get it.

I didn't read all 7 pages yet, but who the hell still uses checkbooks? LOL

**EDIT**
I say this in a kidding manner, I am not knocking you. I should use one too, it would make it harder buying non essentials if you use checks. It's so easy to whip out the debit card.

 

[Big John]

Shameless plug: I've been wanting to get this done on my 4Runner for a few months now, but don't have the confidence to tackle myself. If anyone in the Denver area is willing to lend a hand with the project fire me a PM. I am willing to pay for help to get the job done right and sleep better at night too. Thanks - Mike

I (and a friend) may be doing a couple of sets on Saturday. We're in west Greeley. PM me if you're interested in joining the LBJ party.

 

[smallfry]

I didn't read all 7 pages yet, but who the hell still uses checkbooks? LOL

**EDIT**
I say this in a kidding manner, I am not knocking you. I should use one too, it would make it harder buying non essentials if you use checks. It's so easy to whip out the debit card.

I only to use it to pay bills that I can't pay online. Plus, I had my account hacked so I had to cancel my card and wait for a new one.

 

[96743runner]

Just had my LBJ's changed today with new OEM, since they cost only $7 a piece more than the NAPA brand. I think the original ball joints were ready to fail at any moment, since the steering felt strange and lots of vibration above 60mph, like it was out of alignment. New LBJ's installed and the thing drives perfectly now...I don't even wanna think about how close I might have been to destroying my 4Runner and putting myself and possibly others in danger from this.

So to all of you, if in doubt, CHANGE THOSE LOWER BALL JOINTS!!!

 

[BigRogers]

To test them out.
Jack up front end up by each lower control arm to take weight off of lower ball joint. Just enough to get the tire off the ground and you can fit a big pipe or pry bar under the tire. When under the tire pull up on the bar and feel for looseness. You might want another person to pull up while you get under and look at the movement of the ball joints. But please use jackstands for safety..

Thanks! That is what I was looking for!