Ball Joints and Tierods

[jhumphrey]

All,

I took my runner in to have an alignment done. While it was there, I got a call from the shop saying that my LBJ's and driver side inner tierod had play. I'm going to fix these issues myself. I've done a little research (I came from jeep to Toyota...so I'm still learning) and saw that OEM is the way to go for LBJ. What about tierods?

I found a list on another forum, but it's for tacomas. The claim is these parts are a little "stronger" than runner parts. I thought runner and Tacoma shared the same front end...is this incorrect?

Here's the list:
43330-39815 - RLBJ - Qty 1
43340-39585 - LLBJ - Qty 1
45046-39295 - ROTRE - Qty 1
45047-39175 - LOTRE - Qty 1
45503-39075 - ITRE - Qty 2

Should I replace the upper ball joints as well? Do I need to stick with all oem parts for this or are there any aftermarket parts that I should get instead? While I'd like to save some money, I want to do it right the first time. Buy cheap, buy twice as the saying goes.

Thanks all.

 

[pedmonds0219]

Ask [MENTION=91261]Skidmarcx[/MENTION] he's a mechanic with a 3rd gen. Should be able to help you out.

 

[Nelsonmd]

All,

I took my runner in to have an alignment done. While it was there, I got a call from the shop saying that my LBJ's and driver side inner tierod had play. I'm going to fix these issues myself. I've done a little research (I came from jeep to Toyota...so I'm still learning) and saw that OEM is the way to go for LBJ. What about tierods?

I found a list on another forum, but it's for tacomas. The claim is these parts are a little "stronger" than runner parts. I thought runner and Tacoma shared the same front end...is this incorrect?

Here's the list:
43330-39815 - RLBJ - Qty 1
43340-39585 - LLBJ - Qty 1
45046-39295 - ROTRE - Qty 1
45047-39175 - LOTRE - Qty 1
45503-39075 - ITRE - Qty 2

Should I replace the upper ball joints as well? Do I need to stick with all oem parts for this or are there any aftermarket parts that I should get instead? While I'd like to save some money, I want to do it right the first time. Buy cheap, buy twice as the saying goes.

Thanks all.

Search around here and you will find some pretty strong conclusions on these questions:
1. Only use OEM LBJ's, or possibly Napa premium. There have been a number of cases of Moog and other aftermarket brand LBJ's failing after as little as 10k miles.
2. ITRE's and OTRE's, you are probably ok with aftermarket, though for the OTRE's I'd stick with a good brand like Napa. The OEM ITRE's are ridiculously expensive for some reason.
3. No, there is no real evidence that the tacoma TRE's are stronger, they are just bulkier and reduce your turning radius. I would recommend sticking with 4runner parts, I personally love the turning radius where it is, and if I lost some, that would mean I have to do alot of 3-point turns where now I don't have to. The front ends are nearly identical between 4runner and tacoma, but there are some minor subtle differences, like the TRE's.
4. Check the upper ball joint for play, but if there isnt' any, then there is probably no need to replace them. They are pressed in, so are a bit more difficult to replace (though not that bad), and they see WAY lower stress than the lower sees, so most guys I think go pretty much the life of the vehicle on the original UBJ's.

Hope that answers your questions. Like I said, if you really want second opinions, then search here, there are many many threads already on this topic, but I think you will find the above points are pretty much the consensus.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

[MENTION=56021]Nelsonmd[/MENTION] pretty much covered it. Check prices though, a lot of times the OEM OTRE's are cheaper than aftermarket. As for the ITRE's, Napa should work just fine.

 

[TheeMikeB]

Nelsonmd nailed it. Keep with the 4Runner parts no Tacoma parts.

I will say that I recently replaced ALL my front end parts as part of my build and I got everything from Camel Back Toyota Parts as they had the best prices and free shipping. Replaced Upper/lower bj inner/outer TRE.

The ONLY part that I did not use OEM was the ITRE because they were ridiculously expensive like Nelsonmd said. I used the Napa Premium ones and they worked great.

FWIW I ran Rubicon a few months ago and broke an OEM OTRE so even the OEMS will break but I do feel better knowing I have the OEM steering parts. Thank god I kept my old one as a trail spare. I ordered a new OEM from the link above but have yet to install. So if you plan to wheel, keep your old stuff for trail spares. It can help you limp home for sure.

As for your question about doing uppers, I feel that if you are going to do it, might as well do them all and do it right. Then you know it's done and everything will have the same mileage on it. You will notice tighter steering after.

 

[JEL]

I just did a damn-near total front end rebuild, UBJs included. Shit doesn't even begin to describe the condition of the pitted and pot-holed roads in the Seattle area, so even my upper ball joints were getting a little sloppy. I used all OEM parts, except for the front and rear shocks where I went Bilstein. I am happy with the results, it drives like brand new now with 160k on it.


I did:

LBJs
UBJs
Inner tie rods
Outer tie rods
Sway bar links
4 new Bilstein shocks
A few other minor things here and there

I also stayed with all OEM 4runner parts from camelback, it was a bit pricey overall but it was worth it, hopefully this truck will last a while longer. I'm not lifted, but I do use the 4x4 for going into the snowy mountains regularly and on dirt roads, as well as lots and lots of highway commuting, so I figured it was worth it to do it all and spend a bit extra on OEM stuff, all the LBJ failure pictures got me good and paranoid driving around with over 150k on mine.

 

[jhumphrey]

[MENTION=56021]Nelsonmd[/MENTION] pretty much covered it. Check prices though, a lot of times the OEM OTRE's are cheaper than aftermarket. As for the ITRE's, Napa should work just fine.

Thanks guys. I am going to order LBJ from camel.

The shop told me specifically that both LBJ had play in them and needed to be replaced. They said that the UBJ's were fine. They also said my outer tie rods were ok. The inner driver side tie rod needs replacing, but passenger side ITRE is fine. I just figured I'd change out the LBJ, OTRE, & ITRE while I was in there.

I don't have a napa near me, so what brand would be good from RockAuto? I found my local parts stores charge way to much for crap brands (ie, autozone, advanced, O'Reilly).

There's a napa about an hour from me, according to their site. Which "product" do I get...the value or premium line on the I/O tie rod if I go that way?

Thanks for all y'all's help so far!

 

[Gerdo]

X2 of what nelsonmd said with the exception of...ONLY USE OE PARTS!

Early on, I put the best aftermarket LBJs in my rig and after 20,000 miles there was an unacceptable amount of play in them. I went back to OE.

The Taco parts will actually increase your turning radius (requiring a bigger circle to turn around, not good).

 

[4x4mike]

I don't have a napa near me, so what brand would be good from RockAuto? I found my local parts stores charge way to much for crap brands (ie, autozone, advanced, O'Reilly).

There's a napa about an hour from me, according to their site. Which "product" do I get...the value or premium line on the I/O tie rod if I go that way?

Thanks for all y'all's help so far!

Just get everything from Camelback. Shipping is free and you'll have factory parts. Just be thankful this was caught before something broke because this would be a much different post with many more $$$-signs.

I just got factory LBJ's and upon replacing them I realized my OTRE needed to be done. They were smooth but the boot was shot and I was messing them up with the puller. A call to Napa and OReillys said a premium OTRE with warranty was $80 where as a factory OTRE from CB was $46.76.

 

[jhumphrey]

Just get everything from Camelback. Shipping is free and you'll have factory parts. Just be thankful this was caught before something broke because this would be a much different post with many more $$$-signs.

I just got factory LBJ's and upon replacing them I realized my OTRE needed to be done. They were smooth but the boot was shot and I was messing them up with the puller. A call to Napa and OReillys said a premium OTRE with warranty was $80 where as a factory OTRE from CB was $46.76.

I placed my order with camel for LBJ and outer tie rods. I'm going to get the napa inner tie rods because of price. Napa has two "lines", a value line and a premium line. Value is $40, premium $78. Oem inners are $125. Prices are for each. I think that's crazy expensive for inner tie rods.

But if the consensus is to order the oem ITRE, I'll amend my order. Please advise everyone . Otherwise, I'll get the napa brand.

 

[JEL]

The ITRE isn't a very complicated part, and even after driving for a while on worn OTREs, UBJs, and LBJs, mine were in decent shape with only a little slop, but I did them anyway for good measure. I suspect they don't get a ton of wear like the OTRE or ball joints, so I think the Napa premium ones would be fine. I've used their premium line of front end parts on an old Chevy Suburban before and they held up great for over 80k until the engine grenaded.

 

[jhumphrey]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I ordered my LBJs and outer tie rods from Camelback. I'm currently waiting for the parts to ship. Placed my order Friday afternoon, received a message saying parts were in stock and shipping within 24hrs. It's now Tuesday and parts still haven't shipped (I'm guessing they took MLK Day off). According to their map, I'm a 4 day transit time. Looks like I'll have to wait a couple of weeks to work on the runner while I wait on parts :-/

Got my inners from NAPA. Can't wait to get it fixed so I can feel safe tuning around the back roads again