early lbj failure

[3bears]

so about 40k ago I put in Toyota LBJ's ( and springs, shocks, otre)
about a month ago I did lower control arm bushings
a few days ago on a trip my truck got a bad wobble, took it in to a shop and driver side lbj was shot
Id say about half my miles are on forest service gravel roads, I don't do major climbs and hit big holes real slow

anyone else see this kind of low miles on Toyota LBJ's

 

[mtbtim]

Do you have wheel spacers?

 

[Hepar]

Maybe over-torqued them when installing?

 

[nissanh]

Lbj

OP, where did you buy the OEM LBJ?

 

[3bears]

no spacers
torqued with craftsman torque wrench
camel back

 

[mtbtim]

no spacers
torqued with craftsman torque wrench
camel back

That's not good. I suspected the current construction of our OEM balljoints is not up to par as the originals that came on our rigs but this isn't necessarily proof. Most service roads I've driven have washboard sections and that can be very hard on your suspension. If you've driven 20k miles on forest service roads, I could see how this could accelerate the demise of your balljoints.

I reckon you'll now be inspecting your balljoints more often after this close call.

 

[Mark_BC]

Do you have a lift?

 

[Hepar]

torqued with craftsman torque wrench

Wheels on the ground or off?

 

[LittleCaesar]

I take it the lbj was good before the bushing replacement? Use OEM replacement bushings?

 

[3bears]

wheels off the ground
yes OEM bushings

 

[Hepar]

wheels off the ground

I've heard that it is possible to over press the boot if you torque it with the wheels off the ground. So, I torqued them with them weighted. But I've also heard the opposite. That you're supposed to torque them while in the air. Never been able to get a real solid answer to one way or the other.

 

[theesotericone]

I've heard that it is possible to over press the boot if you torque it with the wheels off the ground. So, I torqued them with them weighted. But I've also heard the opposite. That you're supposed to torque them while in the air. Never been able to get a real solid answer to one way or the other.

Yeah, torque is torque. I torque in the air then drive it a 100 miles and re-torgue. I've never had the bolt move when I re-torqued. I've only done it twice but that's my experience with it.