help with LBJ, tie rod and bushing replacement!

[ghettoflow21]

Hi everyone,

I just got my car lifted and when completing the lift, the shop said the LBJ, tie rods and bushings needed replacement. With 280k on the odometer, I was already planning on replacing the lower ball joints. I received a quote for 600 from a different shop for just the LBJ replacement and ~ 2500 for all 3 from the shop that did my lift.

Would anyone be willing to help me do this on my own in the San Francisco Bay Area? Reading it, it seems like a straightforward replacement but I don't have the tools nor am I comfortable tackling it on my own.

I really don't want to spend 2500 but know that I need to replace the LBJ soon. Do the tie rods and bushings need to be replaced at the same time or are they not as urgent?

 

[octanejunkie]

[MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] has DIY videos with part number listings for all that work, it's about $350 in parts and a day with loaner tools. $2500 is insane

Check this http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/217550-3rd-gen-toyota-4runner-diy-videos.html

 

[thezentree]

Hi everyone,

I just got my car lifted and when completing the lift, the shop said the LBJ, tie rods and bushings needed replacement. With 280k on the odometer, I was already planning on replacing the lower ball joints. I received a quote for 600 from a different shop for just the LBJ replacement and ~ 2500 for all 3 from the shop that did my lift.

Would anyone be willing to help me do this on my own in the San Francisco Bay Area? Reading it, it seems like a straightforward replacement but I don't have the tools nor am I comfortable tackling it on my own.

I really don't want to spend 2500 but know that I need to replace the LBJ soon. Do the tie rods and bushings need to be replaced at the same time or are they not as urgent?

I know you said you don't have the tools to do all this, but like [MENTION=95183]octanejunkie[/MENTION] said the parts are pretty cheap and if you've got a lifted 3rd gen this is probably not the last time you're going to need to work on it. It'll save you money in the long run to buy the tools and learn how to work on it. With those videos [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] made, you can figure out how to do just about anything you'll need to.

That said, the LBJs are a easy job and I bet another shop would do it for a whole lot cheaper than whoever quoted you $2500.

 

[JZiggy]

Which bushings are you referring to?

 

[ghettoflow21]

Which bushings are you referring to?

I'll have to take a look at the report again for which bushings.

With that said, found a shop that could do LBJ for $500.

Could I get away with the shop doing just the LBJ and then do the tie rods and bushings myself? Or would you recommend the shop doing all 3? An alignment is only required if you do the tie rods, correct?

Sorry for all the ignorant questions!

 

[JZiggy]

I'd strongly suggest doing all the work before getting a fresh alignment

 

[Scramble]

I'll have to take a look at the report again for which bushings.

With that said, found a shop that could do LBJ for $500.

Could I get away with the shop doing just the LBJ and then do the tie rods and bushings myself? Or would you recommend the shop doing all 3? An alignment is only required if you do the tie rods, correct?

Sorry for all the ignorant questions!

A local shop is gonna order whatever the local auto parts store has. (Moogs/Napa) get OEM LBJ's from Toyota & bring them to the shop.
DO NOT USE ANYTHING OTHER THAN OEM LBJ'S

 

[ghettoflow21]

A local shop is gonna order whatever the local auto parts store has. (Moogs/Napa) get OEM LBJ's from Toyota & bring them to the shop.
DO NOT USE ANYTHING OTHER THAN OEM LBJ'S

Thanks Scramble, I specifically asked for OEM parts and they quoted me $80 extra for them. I think I should be good on that. With that said, I do not need an alignment after the LBJ replacement, right? Only after tie rods?

 

[Lamer]

Thanks Scramble, I specifically asked for OEM parts and they quoted me $80 extra for them. I think I should be good on that. With that said, I do not need an alignment after the LBJ replacement, right? Only after tie rods?

OEM LBJ's will be much more than $80. I picked up left and right OEM LBJ for $300-ish last week from Toyota dealer here in Houston. (Hopefully I didnt get screwed on that price) but Im will to pay that price to avoid the chance of failure.

did my LBJ's and new front coils/struts yesterday. the LBJ were the easiest part. just grab a puller, and a 24mm socket, a 14mm socket, and a tourque wrench. obvioulsy jack the front end up and put some jack stands under it...

this is what I used, and worked like a champ!

 

[jgleit]

If you're in the SF Bay Area and can't find someone locally I'd highly recommend Toy Shop on Geary in San Francisco.

They use only OEM Toyota parts and work on a ton of Toyota trucks (you'll usually spot at least one 3rd Gen in their shop at all times. I've taken my 4Runner there for a lot of things, and recently did OEM LBJ's / OEM Outer Tie Rods, OEM Steering Rack, Poly Steering Rack Bushings for something like $4-500 labor.

 

[Scramble]

OEM LBJ's will be much more than $80. I picked up left and right OEM LBJ for $300-ish last week from Toyota dealer here in Houston. (Hopefully I didnt get screwed on that price) but Im will to pay that price to avoid the chance of failure.

did my LBJ's and new front coils/struts yesterday. the LBJ were the easiest part. just grab a puller, and a 24mm socket, a 14mm socket, and a tourque wrench. obvioulsy jack the front end up and put some jack stands under it...

this is what I used, and worked like a champ!

He said $80 "Extra". Camelback has them for $103 Ea right now. I think I paid $88 or $92 from them 2years ago.

Thanks Scramble, I specifically asked for OEM parts and they quoted me $80 extra for them. I think I should be good on that. With that said, I do not need an alignment after the LBJ replacement, right? Only after tie rods?

Correct!

 

[mtbtim]

Definitely use Camelback Toyota for your parts. Their prices are competitive, they ship quickly and they'll ship for free if your order is $150 or more. If you have any question, call Camelback and ask to talk to George in On-line Sales.

If you really don't want to tackle this on your own, I'm willing to help you. However, you will be required to make a donation to the Timmy the Toolman party fund and you will also be required to get dirty. No standing around with your hands in your pockets while I wrench on your rig. If your lower control arm bushings are wasted, I would suggest also doing the steering rack bushings at the same time because we have to pull the steering rack back out of the way to get the rear cam bolts out of the lower control arms. And, while we're at it, may as well do the sway bar bushings as well.

I'll work for $50/hour and won't charge you more than $300 for the whole job.

**Edit: Maybe check out that shop in San Francisco somebody mentioned above. They seem to have very fair pricing. Maybe get a quote from them for everything you need.

The links I provide to the parts on Camelback are for a 2000 4runner.

Balljoints will run you $103/each - Total $206
https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/p...siteid=214329&vehicleid=84047&diagram=8414250

Outer Tie Rods will run you $54/each - Total $108
https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/p...siteid=214329&vehicleid=84047&diagram=F809225

Whiteline Poly LCA bushings - $63
Front Control Arm Bushings - Toyota 4Runner - W53377A

Energy Suspension Steering Rack Bushings #8.10103R - $23
https://www.amazon.com/Energy-Suspension-8-10103R-Pinion-Bushing/dp/B001EEWEF0

Energy Suspension Sway Bar Bushings #18-1115BL - $23
https://www.amazon.com/Prothane-18-1115-BL-Black-Front-Bushing/dp/B00387096C

Parts Total - $423
Labor - $300 (Max)
Total - $723

Has this always been a California rig? If rust is not an issue, this repair should go very smooth. If it came out of state where they salt the roads, that's a game changer and I might want to pass on helping with this. Yeah, I'm spoiled but having to cut out cam sleeves is something I'd like to not repeat if possible.

Here's some videos to watch so you understand what is involved. Let me know if you want my help.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kmaZNBp1gZM" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bfLvtEnX9qk" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YywcR0E9bM4" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The following video is for replacing the steering rack but it covers swapping over the outer tie rods.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wZoRP5ogrK0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>