Ball joint replacement
- Thread starter TrexRunnerGirl
- Start date
Mind posting what links/DIYs you followed for this? Or is it pretty straight forward (few bolts and separating balljoints)?
JRZEE2000TR4LTD
Senior Member
Look at post #12 of this thread.
I already have that bookmarked... That's what happens when I spend 2 hours compiling a headunit replacement DIY
TrexRunnerGirl
New member
Well well!! This is nice! I'm up by Arlington Park so by Ohare-ish also.
After looking at some of the tools needed I don't know if I'm up to the task. The CVs might be easier first - maybe.
nwebb01
New member
I lived in NWI and worked in Chicago for years. Now I live just north of Indianapolis. Indiana is pretty alright by me.
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Hepar
New member
If you've never done either, I would say the LBJ's would be easier. Once you do the CV's a couple of times, they become significantly easier to do.
thecole1098
New member
This makes me regret not repalcing my LBJs with OEM when I replaced them with Moog a few months ago. I was in a pinch for time and money and just bit the bullet. Nothing has happened yet, however I do have bigger tires and a lift so time will tell...
I definitely have to look into it asap and see what I have and need.
Why can’t you torque them while in the air?
You want to torque them while in the air. If you put the truck on the ground and torque the 4 bolts, you will get an improper torque reading.
4runner trex girl, I did my LBJ's a couple weeks ago. Easy peasy!! I watched my buddy do the drivers side (which he had done in 5 minutes), and it took me about 15. It is really pretty easy to do, if you have basic mechanical knowledge and know-how.
A battery powered, or air powered impact is your friend!!! (not for torquing, but for removing stubborn hardware)
octanejunkie
Elite Member
I'll chime in here saying that this is an easy job is you follow the video by [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] and [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION]
A long breaker bar makes short work of opening everything while a pitman arm puller separated the LBJs and OTREs like a charm.
Protip: If you start and finish one side at a time you don't have to sorry about your steering wheel possibly shifting out of center.
I used blue loctite and torqued the bottom 4 bolts in the air, only 67 ft lbs each, then finished the ball joint and tie rod ends and reinstalled the wheel.
When both sides were done and the car on the ground I rechecked the torque on the bottom bolts.
I used one puller, a pitman arm puller from autozone, for all ball joints - worked great. I don't like working with impact tools, I like to feel things come apart, but I will spin fasteners off with a cordless drill to save time and forearms.
You can do this job the first time soup to nuts in 1-2 hours with the proper prep and tools
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A long breaker bar makes short work of opening everything while a pitman arm puller separated the LBJs and OTREs like a charm.
Protip: If you start and finish one side at a time you don't have to sorry about your steering wheel possibly shifting out of center.
I used blue loctite and torqued the bottom 4 bolts in the air, only 67 ft lbs each, then finished the ball joint and tie rod ends and reinstalled the wheel.
When both sides were done and the car on the ground I rechecked the torque on the bottom bolts.
I used one puller, a pitman arm puller from autozone, for all ball joints - worked great. I don't like working with impact tools, I like to feel things come apart, but I will spin fasteners off with a cordless drill to save time and forearms.
You can do this job the first time soup to nuts in 1-2 hours with the proper prep and tools
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Last edited:
the walrus
New member
If your old LBJs are in decent shape like mine were, consider keeping them for trail spares.
mtbtim
Elite Member
[MENTION=175800]TrexRunnerGirl[/MENTION] it sounds like to me you really want to be self-sufficient with doing repairs and mods on your rig and that's a very good thing. You'll be saving tons of money while learning how to wrench and you'll get an incredible sense of accomplishment from it.
To be successful you need 3 things, a willingness to learn, tools, and knowledge. It sounds like you have the willingness to learn and you have tons of knowledge at your fingertips with the internet age. It looks like your major hangup is tools. I'm not going to lie, tools can start to get expensive especially if you have a tool buying disorder like me. But, start off with the basics. 3/8" and 1/2" ratchets, sockets, swivels and extensions. A breaker bar and some pry bars. A set of ratcheting box end wrenches. Screw drivers, channel locks, needle nose pliers, dikes cutters.
I buy most of my stuff off Amazon and base my purchases off the reviews. Stay away from the fancy brands like Snap-on. You're a DIY mechanic and don't really need to spend that kind of money on tools.
Teri, I encourage you to take up the challenge. Don't let auto mechanics intimidate you. Use the video [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I made for this job, rent some pullers from an auto parts store and either buy or borrow the rest of the stuff you need. Is it common to run into issues when you're in the middle of a repair or mod? Yes, it's part of the experience. But, when you overcome those obstacles, it just gives you more confidence than you had before.
I look forward to hearing you report back on your successful LBJ Replacement. Good Luck Teri!
To be successful you need 3 things, a willingness to learn, tools, and knowledge. It sounds like you have the willingness to learn and you have tons of knowledge at your fingertips with the internet age. It looks like your major hangup is tools. I'm not going to lie, tools can start to get expensive especially if you have a tool buying disorder like me. But, start off with the basics. 3/8" and 1/2" ratchets, sockets, swivels and extensions. A breaker bar and some pry bars. A set of ratcheting box end wrenches. Screw drivers, channel locks, needle nose pliers, dikes cutters.
I buy most of my stuff off Amazon and base my purchases off the reviews. Stay away from the fancy brands like Snap-on. You're a DIY mechanic and don't really need to spend that kind of money on tools.
Teri, I encourage you to take up the challenge. Don't let auto mechanics intimidate you. Use the video [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I made for this job, rent some pullers from an auto parts store and either buy or borrow the rest of the stuff you need. Is it common to run into issues when you're in the middle of a repair or mod? Yes, it's part of the experience. But, when you overcome those obstacles, it just gives you more confidence than you had before.
I look forward to hearing you report back on your successful LBJ Replacement. Good Luck Teri!
Hepar
New member
Like I said earlier in the thread, I've heard that with it in the air you run the risk of overdressing the boot. But in this thread there has been plenty of conflicting information, so don't listen to me! I will say that it's probably better to go a little under torque than over as long as you are using thread locker.
TrexRunnerGirl
New member
I will definitely report and post back once I get to doing it. I did the antenna by myself so now slowly to bigger parts.
Must say, even if it’s rusty and only lasts another 100k it’s worth it. I like being back in a simple, easy to fix truck.
Thanks for the kick in the britches to Git Er Done!
Slowgoat
New member
[MENTION=175800]TrexRunnerGirl[/MENTION]
I always check prices for a repair at a normal local garage.
Then I know how much I'm saving if I do the job myself.
If you buy tools, it is a great invenstment. I think of it as paying for itself. With Labor being pretty expensive, buying tools never has made me uneasy.
A nice set of tools will pay for itself many times over! Good luck and keep us informed!
I always check prices for a repair at a normal local garage.
Then I know how much I'm saving if I do the job myself.
If you buy tools, it is a great invenstment. I think of it as paying for itself. With Labor being pretty expensive, buying tools never has made me uneasy.
A nice set of tools will pay for itself many times over! Good luck and keep us informed!
TrexRunnerGirl
New member
I hate to be a PIA, but could someone list the tools I would need. Plus what is the best kind of jack to get this puppy off the ground? And how is the torque measured - by a gauge on the wrench?
Again - I know i'll need a pry bar, a u puller, locktite, impact wrench or muscles, chocks for back wheels.
I have a socket set but probably not the best. Harbor Freight is a few miles away as is Menards, autozone, Oreilly's and the Toyota dealer.
I should change my name to PIANoob at this point. :boom:
Again - I know i'll need a pry bar, a u puller, locktite, impact wrench or muscles, chocks for back wheels.
I have a socket set but probably not the best. Harbor Freight is a few miles away as is Menards, autozone, Oreilly's and the Toyota dealer.
I should change my name to PIANoob at this point. :boom:
