Lower Ball Joint Saga Contd...

[ats90mph]

Hello,

On a previous thread I was discussing on whether or not I should replace my LBJ’s after a squeak developed (more info here):

Suspension Conundrum

The joints only had 13,000 miles on them, and grease had been added to them, and the squeak resolved. So today, I had the left joint replaced (just to be safe), and boy was I happy I did.

These parts were OEM Toyota parts bought off eBay. The joints were stiff, but seemed to be in good condition. I’ll let the photos tell the rest. Let me repeat, these have only been on the truck for 13,000 miles!

 

[cl4Rk]

13,000 miles on them

Whoah

 

[JZiggy]

Try wiping some of that dark grease off the ball so we can see if there is scoring. It looks a bit like lubrication failure.

 

[Twisted Sid]

What are the chances that these were counterfeit parts?

 

[ats90mph]

What are the chances that these were counterfeit parts?

Not likely IMHO. First, counterfeiting a part with such low volume seems not worth it, as this joint was identical to a joint I got from the dealer. I think the part was just old, and it had been sitting for a long time, and the grease dried up. The grease you see in the joint now was added a few days ago to verify that the noise was coming from this part....

 

[ats90mph]

Try wiping some of that dark grease off the ball so we can see if there is scoring. It looks a bit like lubrication failure.

Lack of grease is exactly what I think caused this...

 

[ats90mph]

One more....

 

[Malcolm99]

I'm curious what your hub to fender height is, these LBJ's do not have much range of motion, I'm sure anyone over and around 23" is pushing its limits, myself included. I wish there was a better option or at least a better priced OEM LBJ.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

that doesn't look like a Genuine Toyota LBJ.
most probably one of the fakes sold in ebay

Lack of grease is exactly what I think caused this...

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

if grease dries up due to old age, then how come Genuine Toyota LBJs do not need to be greased while being used for many years and/or several tens of thousands of miles? there have been cases that have been used for 100,000+ miles without being greased

... I think the part was just old, and it had been sitting for a long time, and the grease dried up. The grease you see in the joint now was added a few days ago to verify that the noise was coming from this part....

 

[repo]

OEM Toyota parts bought off eBay.

I envy your optimism.

 

[repo]

Not likely IMHO. First, counterfeiting a part with such low volume seems not worth it, as this joint was identical to a joint I got from the dealer. I think the part was just old, and it had been sitting for a long time, and the grease dried up. The grease you see in the joint now was added a few days ago to verify that the noise was coming from this part....

If you didnt buy from a proper Toyota dealer who for some reason prefers to pay ebay fees instead of sell directly, they are counterfeit or some weird gray market crap. I dont even trust Amazon let alone ebay. Theres a huge global market for fakes including LBJs I'm afraid.

 

[Spiker Engineering]

It does look like they were dry, leading to galling. It would be interesting to see some photos of the joint with the grease cleaned off, to show the metal parts more clearly. Not sure it really matters at this point though.

 

[Sarki]

Sure seems like a case of counterfeit parts. I bought a pair of inner tie rods on eBay and they turned out to be counterfeits, why not LBJ’s.
How much did you pay as that may also (not always) be an indication if legit OEM parts.

 

[FD7683]

Has to be a counterfeit part to be worn already at 13k. I did read about the quality of the OEM ball joints going down recently but this is of the extreme. Having dealt with counterfeit parts before, I from now on go to the dealer or a reputable website when it comes to very critical parts.

 

[Devbot]

Not likely IMHO. First, counterfeiting a part with such low volume seems not worth it, as this joint was identical to a joint I got from the dealer. I think the part was just old, and it had been sitting for a long time, and the grease dried up. The grease you see in the joint now was added a few days ago to verify that the noise was coming from this part....

A couple weeks ago someone posted a counterfeit LBJ, castle nut and cotter pin being sold for $9.00 altogether. Don't underestimate China, they literally have more factories than they know what to do with.

 

[FD7683]

A couple weeks ago someone posted a counterfeit LBJ, castle nut and cotter pin being sold for $9.00 altogether. Don't underestimate China, they literally have more factories than they know what to do with.

I do remember too. The product was being sold on Rockauto.