Lower ball joint parts number confusion

[ptsailing]

I am curious if anyone has pressed in new lower ball joints? I am getting the OEM LBJ from Longo Toyota and in JWaldz post about oem part numbers he lists Driver (Left) Side LBJ: 43340-39465 and Passenger (Right) Side LBJ: 43330-39585 as the part numbers (checked with the Stealership and they are $119 each. These part numbers show a LBJ with a metal arm and the ball joint already pressed in. I figure the metal part on my rig is fine (its a NV and CA car....0% rust)

I also found Lower Ball Joint 43340-39245 on the Toyota parts factory site that seems to be just the LBJ for $70. Id love to save $50 per LBJ if all I have to do is press in the LBJ and re use the metal arm.

Does anyone know what the difference is between these part numbers? The Stealership sites (I have been to 4 or 5) all show an exploded view of the suspension but no photo of an actual part.

Can I just press in a new LBJ?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[phattyduck]

The cheaper ball joint is for the 2nd gen ('89-'95) and doesn't work in our application.

The diagram you posted is a second gen front suspension...

-Charlie

 

[AZBub]

Here is a list of 3rd gen parts. don’t forget to order 8 flange bolts. This is from camelback toyota. If avoid Amazon as they are having an issue with counterfeit pets lately..

Lower ball joints don’t get pressed in. Uppers do and honestly is a pain in the ass that’s why in other threads you have started in regards to all this I suggested upper arms like JBA cause they are more affordable and the adapter was easy to press in. I pressed in factory UBJs once. Never again.

The JBA adapter was engineered to work specifically to fit in the press you would rent. Not sure if that was on purpose with them but it made it super easy

You can get away with Autozone outer tie rods or Napa higher quality stuff. I had them on and they did pretty well. I just replaced them yesterday after 3 years and the still didn’t have any slop.

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[HiLife]

Your part numbers in the first paragraph and lbj pic are correct for 3rd gens.
The part number 43340-39245 is for 2nd gen left lbj. The illustration chart is also for 2nd gen.
That "metal" plate is part of the lbj on the 3rd gen and is considered as one unit.
Don't forget to order the bolts too to go along with the lbj's!

 

[ptsailing]

The cheaper ball joint is for the 2nd gen ('89-'95) and doesn't work in our application.

The diagram you posted is a second gen front suspension...

-Charlie

OK that makes a lot of sense....mind you the dealership site quotes that part number as being for 4runners from 1989 to 1998....so my 1997 3rd gen fits in that range...hence why I was confused.

I really appreciate you guys....glad I checked with ya'll so now I know which are the correct parts to order.

 

[Bowtierebel]

I will be replacing my lower ball joints soon on my 2000 4x4. I did buy the OEM Toyota ones. I didn't think about needing new mounting bolts as mine look fine. Why would it be necessary to replace the mounting bolts?

 

[phattyduck]

I will be replacing my lower ball joints soon on my 2000 4x4. I did buy the OEM Toyota ones. I didn't think about needing new mounting bolts as mine look fine. Why would it be necessary to replace the mounting bolts?

If they have been over-torqued in the past, they have lost their strength. There is a risk that they will snap (and there have been a few examples on here of that happening).

-Charlie

 

[ptsailing]

I will be replacing my lower ball joints soon on my 2000 4x4. I did buy the OEM Toyota ones. I didn't think about needing new mounting bolts as mine look fine. Why would it be necessary to replace the mounting bolts?

I bought new bolts just to be on the safe side.....for 8 bolts it was $10.....$10 worth of piece of mind and insurance.

 

[tx_shooter]

I will be replacing my lower ball joints soon on my 2000 4x4. I did buy the OEM Toyota ones. I didn't think about needing new mounting bolts as mine look fine. Why would it be necessary to replace the mounting bolts?

A lot of the LBJ failures are actually bolt failures due to age/condition. The abuse these bolts take are two fold: over/under torquing and shear force impacts with pot holes/bumps/high speed driving abuse. The bolts are ~$10 and are cheap insurance to make sure your rig stays looking good.

 

[AZBub]

Don’t forget the blue locktite on the LBJ flange bolts.


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[HiLife]

And dont forget to put the proper stretch on the lbj bolts by properly by using a torque wrench set at the required foot pounds.

 

[Bowtierebel]

Thanks for the replies! I certainly agree that $10 is well worth additional safety insurance. I will be ordering some today. I haven't looked to see what the grade of these bolts are, but I'd guess they'd be M10.9, similar to an SAE grade 8. I wouldn't have thought about these bolts shearing, especially with there being 4 on each LBJ mounting in relatively close proximity to each other. This is another great reason that this forum can be invaluable by being able to learn from others experiences. I am definitely replacing mine too. My rig ha's 267,000 miles, so age, fatigue, possibly having been over torqued in the past are the reasons I'll replace them. Someone has done some work on this T4R prior to me getting it and the workmanship was not the best. Thanks!

 

[germankokubu]

The cheaper ball joint is for the 2nd gen ('89-'95) and doesn't work in our application.

The diagram you posted is a second gen front suspension...

-Charlie

Hi, Charlie. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I am from argentina and I am looking for the lower ball joints of my hilux (same as 2nd gen T4R). Part numbers are:
- 43330-39315, Right side
- 43340-39245, Left side
LHS ball joint is no longer available as genuine OEM part in my country. I would like to know if the RHS fits the left side, as the parts seem identical. Moreover, there is only one aftermarket part for both sides. Thank you!

 

[cl4Rk]

Hi, Charlie. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I am from argentina and I am looking for the lower ball joints of my hilux (same as 2nd gen T4R). Part numbers are:
- 43330-39315, Right side
- 43340-39245, Left side
LHS ball joint is no longer available as genuine OEM part in my country. I would like to know if the RHS fits the left side, as the parts seem identical. Moreover, there is only one aftermarket part for both sides. Thank you!

The Lower Ball Joints are side-specific and are not interchangeable.

They are mirror-images of each other, identical to each other but flipped around (just like the upper control arms, to name one example).

 

[germankokubu]

The Lower Ball Joints are side-specific and are not interchangeable.

They are mirror-images of each other, identical to each other but flipped around (just like the upper control arms, to name one example).

Thank you Cl4rk for your response. It is true that the lower ball joints of your truck are mirror images of each other, but in the older model they are visually identical (not flipped around).

 

[Bad Luck]

Thank you Cl4rk for your response. It is true that the lower ball joints of your truck are mirror images of each other, but in the older model they are visually identical (not flipped around).

For 1996-2002 the lower ball joints are side specific. You cannot use the left lower ball joint on the right side.

 

[brillo_76]

I am kinda confused what the problem is here. As members are correct that the 3rd gen lower ball joints are side specific.

They can't be flipped etc. It's one part number for driver side.. and a different part number for the passenger side.

Plus this information is coming from people who have replaced these parts on their rigs including myself.

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[germankokubu]

For 1996-2002 the lower ball joints are side specific. You cannot use the left lower ball joint on the right side.

Thank you Bad Luck for your response. I am asking for the earlier model (1990-1995).

 

[Bad Luck]

Thank you Bad Luck for your response. I am asking for the earlier model (1990-1995).

This is the 3rd gen section (1996-2002). You need the 2nd gen section: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/

 

[germankokubu]

This is the 3rd gen section (1996-2002). You need the 2nd gen section: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/

Sorry, i know. I haven't found this topic in the 2nd gen section and I am not allowed to open a new thread because I am a new member. Thank you anyway