Lower Ball Joint Replacement

[BigSlim]

I need to replace the lower ball joints on my 97 pretty soon. Dust boots are brittle and old. The service manual makes the job look fairly easy to replace them. Now I have had first hand experience with the way manuals make things look easy, LOL. So, is there anything I need to be aware of, or prepared for when I start this project? Or is it that straight forward?

Thanks in advance.
DWayne

 

[downpour11]

Very easy - there are a couple removal/install threads here.

Here's one of em: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/103217-lower-ball-joint-removal-installation.html

 

[cj80cruiser]

I need to replace the lower ball joints on my 97 pretty soon. Dust boots are brittle and old. The service manual makes the job look fairly easy to replace them. Now I have had first hand experience with the way manuals make things look easy, LOL. So, is there anything I need to be aware of, or prepared for when I start this project? Or is it that straight forward?

Thanks in advance.
DWayne

Not sure if your manual mentions a pulled but you will need one for the tierod ends if you plan on keeping your old ones on.

 

[BigSlim]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the link and the heads up on the puller. That tells me what I needed to know.

 

[robb1887]

Get a fixed puller... my three arm couldnt get the bite to pull the OTRE. Also, you can disconnect the 4 bolts between the LBJ to the knuckle to get more room for the puller to grab the OTRE if it doesnt fit when it's attached

 

[cj80cruiser]

Get a fixed puller... my three arm couldnt get the bite to pull the OTRE. Also, you can disconnect the 4 bolts between the LBJ to the knuckle to get more room for the puller to grab the OTRE if it doesnt fit when it's attached

x2

The fixed puller at autozone can be bought or rented for about $8-$10 IIRC. You'll get your $10 back if you rent.

 

[NOT ME OR SOMEBODY]

If you have the $$$$$$ get the outer tie rod ends also and save your self the work of trying to get the OTRE off of the LBJ. The OTRE will come off with the LBJ and there is no need to try to separate the OTRE from the LBJ.

If you do this, make sure you accurately count the number of turns on it took to remove the old OTRE and thread the new one in the same amount. That will get your alignment close to were it was before the work began. You will need a front end alignment done either way.

Use Toyota parts if you can afford them and get 8 new bolts if possible.

My OTRE s were a pain to get off and I ended up just replacing them also because I was going to damage them when trying to separate them from the LBJs

Use blue removable loctite on the bolts ( blue typically ) and torque them to the specs ( sorry don't have that handy )Toyota says they should be

 

[cj80cruiser]

I had a much harder time separating the OTRE from the inner tierod. Not a bad idea to replace the outers though. Might want to consider new inners as well.

 

[fish0281]

Just replace the whole kit and kaboodle. If your LBJs are in that bad of shape, your inner tie rods surely are worn out too.

It's all an easy job, just requires lots of patience and strength. Don't forget your bfh. OH, also, I replaced mine, but if you don't plan on it, make sure to soak those LBJ bolts with penetrating fluid or you absolutely will shear the heads off.

 

[hrt4me]

anybody in the north Texas area planning to do any of these any time soon?

 

[BigSlim]

Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like I'll be doing the OTRE's also. The PO did a decent job of maintaining the 4Runner, but the LBJ's should have been replaced a long time ago. Odd thing is, I have no squeaking, thumping, or even erratic steering. It feels tight as a drum. Good thing for new owner inspections huh? LOL. Oh, I knew I was forgetting something, the reason I was under there to begin with, was because for what ever reason, the PO had the skidplate attached with one bolt up front and four zip ties at the other bolt locations. I picked up some new bolts and got that fixed. :redbrick:

 

[Kanger328]

I just did this. The 4 bolts on the LBJ on mine were REALLY tight. Had to use a breaker bar, that made it MUCH easier. Take your new LBJ's to the parts store when you rent the ball joint puller to make sure it fits. The first one I rented was too small, so I had to go back to rent a bigger one.