Lower Ball Joint Failure Questions

B

BlindShepherd

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Today My lower Ball joint Failed. 96 4runner Stock not lifted. 300 000 kms. I will find out in the next couple of days if they are original.
However I had the whole front end Inspected by a Reputable shop YESTERDAY!!!
I was planning on replacing the shocks this week. So I wanted a second opinion on my Ball Joints and CV joints. Before I replaced anything that did not need to. Given the high Kms. The fact that I replaced them on my 92 4runner around 350 000 kms. I expected that they would tell me to replace them.
however they told me everything was good.
180kms and 27 hours latter driving on one of Canada's Deadliest roads. A winding Mountain Freeway. One of the Busiest weekends of the year. The Ball joint let go In a parking lot 1 km from the getting back on the highway.

Am I crazy? How could a Trained mechanic and CAA approved Shop Miss something like this? Is that even Possible?

I did not take pictures going to go get some tonight.
 
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Depends where it failed. If the ball itself failed there should've been some play present and they should've been able to pick up on it. But if the joint broke down where it bolts to the spindle (which is common) there's really no way to tell IMO. The metalmjust stresses and breaks.

Glad you weren't hurt and keep us posted. post some pics so we can try to help you diagnose it further.
 
The Ball Joint Failed Wore out Through its Socket. I will post some pics this Afternoon. The inside of the empty socket was worn completely smooth.
 
Why is it that every time I hear about one of these failure's its always at low speed (like in a parking lot)? I have yet to hear about one letting go on the highway (which is really good, but seems strange).
 
This is why you replace the LBJ after a certain amount of time/miles have passed, regardless of whether it LOOKS worn or not. Visual inspection of these components doesn't always tell the whole story. Unless you know it was recently done, DO IT! Just part of owning a 3rd gen 4runner, there aren't too many chinks in the armor, so build it into the entry fees.

Glad to hear you were just in a parking lot and not out on the highway when it failed!
 
jamess.sullivan said:
How could a Trained mechanic and CAA approved Shop Miss something like this? Is that even Possible?
gu1.jpg
Click to expand...

"Trained" and "Miss" do not need to be capitalized. Thought you might want to know that before you mock other's English...
 
I ordered new bolts for my LBJs but the bolts are marked with 4 lines and 2 dots. Does that mean they are grade 8? The dots are making me question them. If not I'm definitely going to try and locate new bolts.

This might be something to consider since some ppl have sheared the 8 14mm bolts.
 
cj80cruiser said:
I ordered new bolts for my LBJs but the bolts are marked with 4 lines and 2 dots. Does that mean they are grade 8? The dots are making me question them. If not I'm definitely going to try and locate new bolts.

This might be something to consider since some ppl have sheared the 8 14mm bolts.
Click to expand...

can you post a pic?
if they ARE grade 8, theyre the wrong bolts. you need metric bolts.

but a grade 8 bolt will have 6 marks on it. the metric will be stamped with a number.
 
nevada said:
ah. well there is no accounting for OEM hardware. their identifiers are different.
but, coming from the dealer, they should be correct.
Click to expand...

There must be some reason for the markers it has, right? I'm goinig to see what I can find out but if someone already knows please post up.

I'm just looking at the fact I've seen a few people with the bottom 4 bolts failing and trying to make sure the OEM bolts are atleast grade 8. If they are not, then replacing them with grade 8 might be a great thing to upgrade when installing new LBJs.
 
cj80cruiser said:
There must be some reason for the markers it has, right? I'm goinig to see what I can find out but if someone already knows please post up.

I'm just looking at the fact I've seen a few people with the bottom 4 bolts failing and trying to make sure the OEM bolts are atleast grade 8. If they are not, then replacing them with grade 8 might be a great thing to upgrade when installing new LBJs.
Click to expand...

i understand what you're saying, by wanting strong bolts.
but, you cant ask for grade 8 bolts, thats SAE, you need metric bolts. they are graded differently. 8.8, 10.9 etc etc.

and, i have no idea what spec the OE bolts are. but i would guess they are strong enough for that application. if theyre breaking, its likely because they were installed incorrectly. either too loose, so they moved, or they were overtightened.
 
nevada said:
i understand what you're saying, by wanting strong bolts.
but, you cant ask for grade 8 bolts, thats SAE, you need metric bolts. they are graded differently. 8.8, 10.9 etc etc.

and, i have no idea what spec the OE bolts are. but i would guess they are strong enough for that application. if theyre breaking, its likely because they were installed incorrectly. either too loose, so they moved, or they were overtightened.
Click to expand...

Gotcha and understand you're confusion with my post now. Guess I'm looking for a 10.9 which is comparable to a grade 8.
 
IanB said:
This is why you replace the LBJ after a certain amount of time/miles have passed, regardless of whether it LOOKS worn or not. Visual inspection of these components doesn't always tell the whole story. Unless you know it was recently done, DO IT! Just part of owning a 3rd gen 4runner, there aren't too many chinks in the armor, so build it into the entry fees.

Glad to hear you were just in a parking lot and not out on the highway when it failed!
Click to expand...

Agree 100% with this. When I first did all my front end work I ended up w/ two ball joints for one side so I had to drive for a while with EVERYTHING else new and one old lower ball joint. I had the joint out of the truck and there was ZERO noticeable play in it. Pry bar trick didn't indicate a problem either. When the new OEM part arrived and I swapped it in, there was a huge difference in front end feel.
 
Lower Ball Joint Disaster

Sorry I have not Posted any pictures. I have been away.
After Taking my 4runner back to the Shop that inspected the front end they replaced the lower ball joint with an after market ball joint. I was pissed and had it removed by Toyota. Once it was removed we noticed that they not only did not put on a Toyota Ball joint like i asked but Did not put on a grease nipple, or add any grease to the Ball Joint. I am Currently dealing with BCAA to get all my money back from the shop.
For those that are wondering why you usually see lower ball joint fail at low speeds. That is usually when there is the least pressure on them.
Although I would imagine having no grease in the Balljoint it is most likely going to shear off while accelerating or cornering.
So if you are replacing the balljoint make sure if they are not Genuine Toyota you most likely have to Grease them first.

Also sorry for the random Capitals. It is a bad habit from an old job i had.
 
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