LBJ/UBJ Replacement Question

[afmatt]

I was told my a buddy who is a long-term mechanic that I should not only replace the lower ball joint and that I need to replace them in pairs. Is it true that if I am going to replace my LBJ's I need to also replace my UBJ's?

Thanks

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

I was told my a buddy who is a long-term mechanic that I should not only replace the lower ball joint and that I need to replace them in pairs. Is it true that if I am going to replace my LBJ's I need to also replace my UBJ's?

Thanks

Not true, especially on these 3rd gens. The lower balljoint has a lot more stress on it than the upper and generally should be replaced more (100-150K?) as failure of the lower BJ can be catastrophic. Also, OEM balljoints are the way to go, and are similarly priced to other "quality" BJs like Moog, NAPA, or others. Don't get those crappy Ebay one for $20. Get what you pay for.

 

[MStudt]

I was told my a buddy who is a long-term mechanic that I should not only replace the lower ball joint and that I need to replace them in pairs. Is it true that if I am going to replace my LBJ's I need to also replace my UBJ's?

Thanks

If I were you. I would go ahead and replace the LBJ's right away. They may not be bad yet, but it's not going to hurt. Stick with either OEM or NAPA Premiums for the LBJ's as well. That being said, everyone is going to have an opinion on this. There are a lot of people running NAPA's here, myself included. There are also a lot of people running OEM's. We all agree to stay away from eBay for these parts, and DO NOT buy Moog either.

 

[afmatt]

Not true, especially on these 3rd gens. The lower balljoint has a lot more stress on it than the upper and generally should be replaced more (100-150K?) as failure of the lower BJ can be catastrophic. Also, OEM balljoints are the way to go, and are similarly priced to other "quality" BJs like Moog, NAPA, or others. Don't get those crappy Ebay one for $20. Get what you pay for.

Thanks for this tip. I was going to roll with NAPA but after recently viewing a thread showing what happens when the LBJ fails I think I'm just going to go with OEM. So how often do you think (if any) should the UBJ's be replaced?

If I were you. I would go ahead and replace the LBJ's right away. They may not be bad yet, but it's not going to hurt. Stick with either OEM or NAPA Premiums for the LBJ's as well. That being said, everyone is going to have an opinion on this. There are a lot of people running NAPA's here, myself included. There are also a lot of people running OEM's. We all agree to stay away from eBay for these parts, and DO NOT buy Moog either.

That is one of my first projects for my 4runner, going to put in some NAPA CV Axles and while I'm in there swap out the LBJ's. When you swapped your OEM ones to NAPA how long did it take you for both sides?

 

[LittleCaesar]

OEM for LBJs, no other. Also pick up some lower LBJ bolts. Need 8 total. Part number# 90080-10066. :deadhorse:

As far as the UBJ goes, I'd replace it only if the boot were leaking, or I was to remove the knuckle for bearing work.

 

[MStudt]

That is one of my first projects for my 4runner, going to put in some NAPA CV Axles and while I'm in there swap out the LBJ's. When you swapped your OEM ones to NAPA how long did it take you for both sides?

Mine took me about 2 hours total, and that was the first time I've ever done it. If you don't own a pickle fork and tie rod puller. I would either buy them, and rent them from Autozone. It makes quick work if you have them.

As I stated above. Everyone is going to have an opinion on which brand of LBJ's to run. There is nothing wrong with NAPA's, and I don't think a single person on here can confirm a failure from a NAPA LBJ. I could be wrong, but I've yet to come across a thread with a failure. There have been premature failures with using the Moog LBJ's. I was able to pick up new NAPA LBJ's from a member for $30 shipped, so I used them. If I had to buy new ones, I'd go with NAPA again.

This topic has been beating like a dead horse. The main conclusion is pretty well split between NAPA and OEM.

 

[Dee3]

I bought OEM LBJ and also I bought some Proforged LBJ for another 4runner. They were better quality than expected.

 

[Kanger328]

Just a suggestion, but if you're planning on doing any other mods in the LBJ area (i.e. Tundra brake upgrade, suspension lift, tie rods), do them all at the same time. That way you only have to tear into the area only once.