Ball joint replacement question...and I think I know the answer.

[93cr250]

So my ball joints are the original ones with 195,000 miles on them. I have checked them by trying to wiggle the wheel at 6 and 12 and by using a pry bar to move it multiple ways while it was raised in the air. There is absolutely no play in any direction and the boots are still not leaking at all. It still drives perfectly straight and has no play at all in the steering. Now to me, it seems like a waste to replace them now when they have no signs of wear, even though people say to just replace them anyway. Would anyone agree or am I alone here? Lol

 

[Kurtis]

So my ball joints are the original ones with 195,000 miles on them. I have checked them by trying to wiggle the wheel at 6 and 12 and by using a pry bar to move it multiple ways while it was raised in the air. There is absolutely no play in any direction and the boots are still not leaking at all. It still drives perfectly straight and has no play at all in the steering. Now to me, it seems like a waste to replace them now when they have no signs of wear, even though people say to just replace them anyway. Would anyone agree or am I alone here? Lol

Being the original LBJ, I would replace them. It's your choice if you want to bet on it. But keep in mind you will be betting on severe damage to your front end or an accident. Food for thought.

 

[TNRunner99]

I had 177,000 on my original ball joints. It drove fine and straight. I just replaced my CV boots so I went ahead and did ball joints while I was there.
I can definitely feel a difference with the new joints. It drives much tighter up front and just handles better overall. I plan on doing some more wheeling this summer so new joints were in order.
If you are able to budget the parts, I would go ahead and replace. Preventive maintenance goes a long way with these runners.

 

[TheKorstjens]

Yea i had the same issue. Mine seemed perfectly fine. Tight as they could be no leaks but after seeing the results of some failures and imagining that at highway speeds i decided the lives of myself my wife and daughter were well worth less than 200 bucks and an hours labor. IMO it isnt worth gambling on.

 

[Drcoffee]

So my ball joints are the original ones with 195,000 miles on them. I have checked them by trying to wiggle the wheel at 6 and 12 and by using a pry bar to move it multiple ways while it was raised in the air. There is absolutely no play in any direction and the boots are still not leaking at all. It still drives perfectly straight and has no play at all in the steering. Now to me, it seems like a waste to replace them now when they have no signs of wear, even though people say to just replace them anyway. Would anyone agree or am I alone here? Lol

Due to the orientation of the ball and socket, it is always under tension from the struts so the methods you used to test yours wont show any play. You need to use the floor jack and lift from directly under the ball joint stud to unload the joint. Then use a pry bar and wiggle it. The issue with the 3rd gen LBJ is that they dont show any problems until they let loose. Its a good idea to change them out at this point.

You never know who you might let drive the truck and that would be dangerous for your significant other to have a wheel pop off on the road.

 

[thor999]

Absolutely replace those effers! Use ONLY OEM, invest in new bolts from dealership (expensive yes) and apply Blue Loctite.

 

[iowajosh]

I don't quite understand. Put the front on jackstands and then put the jack under the ball joint? I think there's more than one thing going on and I don't quite understand.

 

[93cr250]

so i decided that since my oem ball joints have lasted 200,000 miles, they will be fine for 200,000 more.


just kidding, i replaced them today and it drives much tighter even though i still had no play in the old ones after taking them off.

 

[4Runner4TW]

Glad you replaced them! I need to do mine next Saturday. I leave in 2 weeks on a 4500 mile road trip. Any body want to help in the Phoenix area? I'll buy lunch!

 

[93cr250]

Glad you replaced them! I need to do mine next Saturday. I leave in 2 weeks on a 4500 mile road trip. Any body want to help in the Phoenix area? I'll buy lunch!

believe me, with an impact, and a BFH, you wont need any help. To get the tie rods off just hit the ball joint around it really hard and it will pop out.

 

[TNRunner99]

Glad you replaced them. It's amazing the difference in the way it handles huh?

 

[93cr250]

Glad you replaced them. It's amazing the difference in the way it handles huh?

yeah, i cant tell if it needs an alignment now, or if the steering is just more "connected" to the road, but the wheel is hardly ever perfectly straight driving down the road like it was before. My dad is a mechanic and i can just use their alignment machine there myself and do it for free so i'll be doing that in the next couple days.

 

[TNRunner99]

yeah, i cant tell if it needs an alignment now, or if the steering is just more "connected" to the road, but the wheel is hardly ever perfectly straight driving down the road like it was before. My dad is a mechanic and i can just use their alignment machine there myself and do it for free so i'll be doing that in the next couple days.

Yes, an alignment is necessary after the install. Anytime you disconnect any front end components its good to get one.