Lower Ball Joint...wtf Toyota?

Thanks for those pics^^^ Harper. I figured it was easy and all you needed was a puller or seperator. Thats what pisses me off the most about this whole ordeal. It's not terribly hard and the tech was saying he didn't want to to do it! Big deal, I don't always want to do my job, but I do it anyway. Also, they gave me some bs about this potentially damaging the ball joint. Does anyone else think thats possible? I don't see how removing the bracket and changing the boot would damage it.
 
harper7 said:
You should have just changed it yourself as it's not that hard at all. Especially since we have the repair manual with step by step procedure.

Just take the cotter pin and the nut off ,2 bolts holding it to the hub and use a ball joint separator(free to use from autozone or they cost like $10). $35 for a boot is ridiculous as that's about the going price for a whole new ball joint with the boot!

Here is a pic the cotter pin and nut ,also a pic of a ball joint separator and a unrelated top pic of the lower ball joint to see there is a removable C-clip and they can be pressed out to change them.Torques are 118 and 103 ft/lbs .

CopyofPicture045.jpg~original

Ball joint separator
ball-joint-tool.jpg~original

Top of ball joint showing c-clip
CopyofPicture052.jpg~original
Click to expand...

So do you just happen to have these pics stashed in your back pocket for when a poor soul on the forum needs a visual reference? Awesome of you to have these available since :worthless

Thanks for always being around to help out.
 
Any chance that somebody could post a step-by-step with pictures for this procedure that is specific to our 4runners? I have a leaky boot on the driver side LBJ. I also have to replace my LR UCA BJs...so my plan is to further evaluate the LBJ when I am doing the UBJ replacements. I have all the parts on order (both upper BJs, and one OEM lower boot kit), and I am definitely going to try to replace the uppers myself, but worried about the lower boot. Lots of comments on here about how tough it is to do yourself...

Even if I don't do it myself, I would like some more knowledge of it prior to trying to find a mechanic that will do it.

Thanks!
 
STX4Runner said:
Thanks for those pics^^^ Harper. I figured it was easy and all you needed was a puller or seperator. Thats what pisses me off the most about this whole ordeal. It's not terribly hard and the tech was saying he didn't want to to do it! Big deal, I don't always want to do my job, but I do it anyway. Also, they gave me some bs about this potentially damaging the ball joint. Does anyone else think thats possible? I don't see how removing the bracket and changing the boot would damage it.
Click to expand...

...any chance you might let us know which dealer this is? I would love to not stop in that place. :)
 
Jono.ful said:
use the google search at the top of the page to see if you can track down the factory service manual.
Click to expand...

I have it. But didn't think to look until you posted. Duh! So thanks for that.

It does have some info starting on Page 2931, where it tells you how to properly inspect the lower ball joint. Then, later there is info on separating the boot with a special toyota tool, and greasing it, etc. It doesn't look too hard...but what about alignment settings and how to keep them intact?
 
I would think you could do all the work without removing the LCA from the truck, thereby eliminating the possibility of messing with your alignment, but if you mark the eccentric bolts as they suggest, you should be able to put it all back together such that you won't need an alignment afterwards. In full disclosure though, I have the Total Chaos LCA's, so I can't say I've ever had to service a lower ball joint.
 
Would anyone happen to have the part number for the ball joint boot from toyota?? Same thing happened to me when I replaced my front struts/coils, expect i tore the front passenger side.
 
Bumping another thread. Has anybody had any luck or insight on replacing just the LBJ? My driver side is leaking a little grease and would like to, if possible, replace with some moog or similar ball joint. I currently only experience a very slight clunk sound when going over bumps on the driver side. I'd like to replace with another for now then save up for the TC lower control arms in the near future just like [MENTION=81003]Jono.ful[/MENTION] Thanks to [MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION] for the pics, Ive seen some of the FJ guys press out the LBJ.
 
Replace the boot. The part is on national back order with no ETA, but you can get aftermarket replacement boots that look decent on Amazon.
 
Sorry to bump an old thread... I installed 5100's and pinched my drivers side boot so it has a small tear it in, I stopped at the dealer and they only want to replace the whole lower control arm for over $1000 including parts and labor. :redbrick: I'm pretty sure I can handle doing this but I don't understand how the "C" clip on top of the ball joint comes into play to hold the boot in place. Any tips or hints doing this? The boot kit is on backorder right now as well.:censored:
 
Crashnrondo said:
Sorry to bump an old thread... I installed 5100's and pinched my drivers side boot so it has a small tear it in, I stopped at the dealer and they only want to replace the whole lower control arm for over $1000 including parts and labor. :redbrick: I'm pretty sure I can handle doing this but I don't understand how the "C" clip on top of the ball joint comes into play to hold the boot in place. Any tips or hints doing this? The boot kit is on backorder right now as well.:censored:
Click to expand...

The "C" clip only comes into play if you try and replace the actual ball join. You can press the ball joint out and install a new one after removing that clip.

If you're just replacing the boot you only need to remove the retaining clip around the boot to replace it.
 
Bumping this thread...

New trail less than 10K miles on it and I have a busted LBJ boot. Dealer caught it on the service check, want me to let them take it all apart for just a mear $300 and then possibly replace the entire LCA! :rolleyes: I would like to let them look but I will not be paying 1K on a brand new vehicle. I tried to press for warranty, even contacted toyota care and they sided with dealer saying the item cannot be taken care of under warrant.

This leads to my second issue. Anyone just press out the old LBJ and put in a new one such as this? Federal-Mogul Motorparts
Looks better made and with zirk fitting only 28$ on amazon ....seems moog has a good reputation...any advice? Thanks for the help.
 
Tigertater said:
Bumping this thread...

New trail less than 10K miles on it and I have a busted LBJ boot. Dealer caught it on the service check, want me to let them take it all apart for just a mear $300 and then possibly replace the entire LCA! :rolleyes: I would like to let them look but I will not be paying 1K on a brand new vehicle. I tried to press for warranty, even contacted toyota care and they sided with dealer saying the item cannot be taken care of under warrant.

This leads to my second issue. Anyone just press out the old LBJ and put in a new one such as this? Federal-Mogul Motorparts
Looks better made and with zirk fitting only 28$ on amazon ....seems moog has a good reputation...any advice? Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...


Sorry to hear.. thats kinda B/S isn't it supposed to be "bumper to bumper" warranty?

Anyways my 2011 has a torn passenger side boot which I will have to tackle as well. Curious what the repair looks like
 
Blast from the past!

Bumping this thread to see if anyone ever measured the exact size boot if we were to order from energy suspension. I also tore my boot while installing a lift :ybrick:
 
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