Spiker Engineering
official vendor
Which LBJ bolts are the strongest, how much torque should be applied during installation, and how much margin remains when the bolts are torqued to the recommended level?
These questions are the subject of some controversy on the 4Runner forums, but the answers are often speculation and opinion - until now. We are starting a series of tests over the next few weeks to gather data on bolt strength, torque vs preload, and torque to failure, to answer these questions (and more) about LBJ bolts.
We will be posting periodic updates here, but the majority of the details will be on our webpage - Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Lower Ball Joint (LBJ) Bolts - and More!
We will test five different OEM and aftermarket Lower Ball Joint (LBJ) bolts commonly used for the 3rd Gen Toyota 4Runner:
In Part 1 of the test series, we will measure the torque vs. preload relationship for each bolt type. This will determine how much preload is generated at a given torque level, to see if some bolts are more "slippery" than others, and if a lower or higher installation torque value is warranted to obtain the required preload.
In Part 2, we will subject the bolts to destructive testing by measuring the torque needed to fail the bolts during installation. We will measure the actual torque required to fail the bolt, and document the failure mode (thread shear, tensile failure, etc).
Finally, in Part 3, we will test each bolt in an Instron machine to measure its tensile strength - the definitive indicator of bolt strength.
So stay tuned - this will be fun (and hopefully instructive!)
These questions are the subject of some controversy on the 4Runner forums, but the answers are often speculation and opinion - until now. We are starting a series of tests over the next few weeks to gather data on bolt strength, torque vs preload, and torque to failure, to answer these questions (and more) about LBJ bolts.
We will be posting periodic updates here, but the majority of the details will be on our webpage - Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Lower Ball Joint (LBJ) Bolts - and More!
We will test five different OEM and aftermarket Lower Ball Joint (LBJ) bolts commonly used for the 3rd Gen Toyota 4Runner:
- Toyota 90080-10066 (replaces 90105-10406); Flanged Head Bolt; Green (1996-2000 4Runner)
- Toyota 90105-10505; Flanged Head Bolt; Red (2001-2002 4Runner, without boot)
- Toyota 90119-10933; Bolt with Washer (2001-2002 4Runner, with boot)
- Belmetric BF10X1.25X30YLW Grade 10.9 Zinc Plated Bolt
- ARP 663-1003 Bolt (8740 Chrome Moly)
In Part 1 of the test series, we will measure the torque vs. preload relationship for each bolt type. This will determine how much preload is generated at a given torque level, to see if some bolts are more "slippery" than others, and if a lower or higher installation torque value is warranted to obtain the required preload.
In Part 2, we will subject the bolts to destructive testing by measuring the torque needed to fail the bolts during installation. We will measure the actual torque required to fail the bolt, and document the failure mode (thread shear, tensile failure, etc).
Finally, in Part 3, we will test each bolt in an Instron machine to measure its tensile strength - the definitive indicator of bolt strength.
So stay tuned - this will be fun (and hopefully instructive!)
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