Lower Ball Joint

G

G-Cam

Member
Hey guys,

Been doing some research but can't find what I'm looking for. Brought my Runner into a trusted shop and they say I need to replace my LBJ's. I've been doing enough off roading to probably warrant this. I am curious if anyone has replaced just the ball joint itself? My Runner is a Trail so it has KDSS. Anyone have a part number for the ball joint? I found MOOG K500017. It doesn't say and I can't find anywhere that says whether KDSS has a different part number. Thanks in advance for your input!
 
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G-Cam said:
Hey guys,

Been doing some research but can't find what I'm looking for. Brought my Runner into a trusted shop and they say I need to replace my LBJ's. I've been doing enough off roading to probably warrant this. I am curious if anyone has replaced just the ball joint itself? My Runner is a Trail so it has KDSS. Anyone have a part number for the ball joint? I found MOOG K500017. It doesn't say and I can't find anywhere that says whether KDSS has a different part number. Thanks in advance for your input!
Click to expand...

Hmm If I can recall, Toyota doesn't have a LBJ part and recommends just replacing the entire LCA. Others may have tried removing/replacing the LBJ though. Not sure if they were successful.
 
When I bought Moog tie rod ends for a 2000 Nissan Maxima, one was made in USA and the other made in India. I returned the latter because it had the wrong boot; it was too thick. When I exchanged it, I received a part Made in Japan. (I have a habit of keeping old parts and their boxes for awhile.) According to this, Where are Moog parts made? The answer may surprise you! | Suspension.com Moog suspension parts are made in 16 different countries (as of 2015). Google "does moog make good parts" for more information.
 
G-Cam said:
Hey guys,

Been doing some research but can't find what I'm looking for. Brought my Runner into a trusted shop and they say I need to replace my LBJ's. I've been doing enough off roading to probably warrant this. I am curious if anyone has replaced just the ball joint itself? My Runner is a Trail so it has KDSS. Anyone have a part number for the ball joint? I found MOOG K500017. It doesn't say and I can't find anywhere that says whether KDSS has a different part number. Thanks in advance for your input!
Click to expand...

I use Toyota Parts Direct to look up parts numbers for anything (it's a Canadian site, but parts numbers are parts numbers). IIRC there used to be a dealer in Dallas that had the same sort of info a d parts diagrams available online.

As for your LBJ, you're stuck replacing the entire arm.
483132A.jpg


4806860050 for the right, or 4806960050 for the left
 
Replacing the entire LCA is a nominal cost so IMHO not worth the hassle of trying to replace the LBJ. For such a critical part I would go OEM as well.
 
Thanks for the input guys! Was trying to avoid spending $1100 CAD for the LCA's but it sounds like its the way to go, I do lots of travelling with my family and don't like cutting corners. Are there any aftermarket/upgraded LCA kits that I might want to look into? I know Total-Chaos has a long travel kit (not really interested in that) but maybe there is something else worth considering?
 
G-Cam said:
Thanks for the input guys! Was trying to avoid spending $1100 CAD for the LCA's but it sounds like its the way to go, I do lots of travelling with my family and don't like cutting corners. Are there any aftermarket/upgraded LCA kits that I might want to look into? I know Total-Chaos has a long travel kit (not really interested in that) but maybe there is something else worth considering?
Click to expand...

Does your $1100 CAD include labor -- it must for the part only costs $400 US (2019 Toyota 4Runner Suspension Control Arm (Right, Front, Lower) - 4806860051 - Genuine Toyota Part) and can be found for less (https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-48068-60051-Suspension-Arm-Assembly/dp/B00KTL4TPM).

Even with the different exchange rates, the cost for the arm alone is far less than your $1100.

Edit: My bad! I just realized you need to buy TWO LCA, while the price I quoted is for singles.
 
Last edited:
fkheath said:
Does your $1100 CAD include labor -- it must for the part only costs $400 US (2019 Toyota 4Runner Suspension Control Arm (Right, Front, Lower) - 4806860051 - Genuine Toyota Part) and can be found for less (https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-48068-60051-Suspension-Arm-Assembly/dp/B00KTL4TPM).

Even with the different exchange rates, the cost for the arm alone is far less than your $1100.

Edit: My bad! I just realized you need to buy TWO LCA, while the price I quoted is for singles.
Click to expand...
Also need to figure in the replacement mounting hardware. Assume it will all have to be cut out. Here's what I used,

Note that these are KDSS LCAs, so if anyone is copying, make sure to order the correct LCA. The other hardware is the same.
48069-60051 Lower Control Arm 310.49 1 $310.49
48068-60051 Lower Control Arm 310.49 1 $310.49
48190-04010 Lower Control Arm Adjust Bolt 17.95 2 $35.90
48452-04020 Lower Control Arm Adjust Cam 21.87 2 $43.74
48409-04030 Lower Control Arm Adjust Bolt 19.42 2 $38.84
90119-16005 Lower Control Arm Mount Bolt 9.17 2 $18.34
48198-04050 Adjust Cam 17.87 2 $35.74
$793.54
 
Another option would be to rebuild your LCA. I used the Whiteline bushings. I've only had them on 4-5k miles, so no long term reviews from me, but they seem to be well recoginzed in the subaru and rally communities. Quality felt great and I expect them to way oulast any cheap LCA options. Ball joint brand is a hot debate, but Sankei 555 I've heard are great. I used Import Directs on a recommendation from another member that wheels pretty hard, no complaints with them either-boot quality felt really good.

I have a writeup where I cover both the LBJ and bushing replacement. You'd probably have to disregard the cam hardware PNs since I believe the 5th gen rear cam is larger, but the Whitelines came with a larger sleeve for the rear bushing for the 5th gens: Whiteline Lower Control Arm Bushing Tutorial (120+ Pictures). Let me know if you have any questions, feel free to tag me or anything to get my attention, as I don't visit the 5th gen section as often

 
Last edited:
G-Cam said:
Hey guys,

Been doing some research but can't find what I'm looking for. Brought my Runner into a trusted shop and they say I need to replace my LBJ's. I've been doing enough off roading to probably warrant this. I am curious if anyone has replaced just the ball joint itself? My Runner is a Trail so it has KDSS. Anyone have a part number for the ball joint? I found MOOG K500017. It doesn't say and I can't find anywhere that says whether KDSS has a different part number. Thanks in advance for your input!
Click to expand...

One last thought: you say your trusted service guy says you need new LBJs. Never hurts to get a second opinion. The factory repair manual (cited earlier) gives the procedure for checking the LBJ. It is quite easily done.
 
fkheath said:
One last thought: you say your trusted service guy says you need new LBJs. Never hurts to get a second opinion. The factory repair manual (cited earlier) gives the procedure for checking the LBJ. It is quite easily done.
Click to expand...
Unless the boot is torn and the grease comes out, the stock LBJs will last a very, very long time. Mine were still perfectly serviceable at 277k hard miles when I replaced LCAs for a torn bushing. I did reboot both of them a time or two.
 
So, I have replaced many lower ball joints on tacomas. They are a slightly different arm than a 4runner LCA. For whatever reason the tacoma ball joints wear out and start to become loose, fairly often. The 4runner ball joint is way more solid. It depends what you want to do in terms of cost/durability. You can either replace the whole arm(s) and depending on where you live, the cam adjusters if they have seized, and then do an alignment. Or alternatively, you could replace the ball joint, but will have to be with an aftermarket one, which likely won't last quite the same as factory. I've done a couple 4runner ball joints, and when I've tried pressing the new one in, the control arm is just slightly too thick, so I've had to grind down a millimeter or two of the top, so that the new snap ring will fit.
 
G-Cam said:
Thanks for the input guys! Was trying to avoid spending $1100 CAD for the LCA's but it sounds like its the way to go, I do lots of travelling with my family and don't like cutting corners. Are there any aftermarket/upgraded LCA kits that I might want to look into? I know Total-Chaos has a long travel kit (not really interested in that) but maybe there is something else worth considering?
Click to expand...

Check out 1Aauto for complete LCA, $179/side. Got them on mine. Come complete with bushings and ball joints. I pull the boot on BJ aside at taper and put some more grease in with needle adapter on my grease gun, also sanded them to rough up surface and put a couple coats of Rustoleum and then clear coat before I installed.
 
fkheath said:
Does your $1100 CAD include labor -- it must for the part only costs $400 US (2019 Toyota 4Runner Suspension Control Arm (Right, Front, Lower) - 4806860051 - Genuine Toyota Part) and can be found for less (Amazon.com: TOYOTA 48068-60051 Suspension Arm Sub Assembly: Automotive).

Even with the different exchange rates, the cost for the arm alone is far less than your $1100.

Edit: My bad! I just realized you need to buy TWO LCA, while the price I quoted is for singles.
Click to expand...

Yes, both arms will be around $1,050 CAD (not including labour).
 
y=mx+b said:
Another option would be to rebuild your LCA. I used the Whiteline bushings. I've only had them on 4-5k miles, so no long term reviews from me, but they seem to be well recoginzed in the subaru and rally communities. Quality felt great and I expect them to way oulast any cheap LCA options. Ball joint brand is a hot debate, but Sankei 555 I've heard are great. I used Import Directs on a recommendation from another member that wheels pretty hard, no complaints with them either-boot quality felt really good.

I have a writeup where I cover both the LBJ and bushing replacement. You'd probably have to disregard the cam hardware PNs since I believe the 5th gen rear cam is larger, but the Whitelines came with a larger sleeve for the rear bushing for the 5th gens: Whiteline Lower Control Arm Bushing Tutorial (120+ Pictures). Let me know if you have any questions, feel free to tag me or anything to get my attention, as I don't visit the 5th gen section as often

Click to expand...


Great write up! Thanks for your input!
 
fkheath said:
One last thought: you say your trusted service guy says you need new LBJs. Never hurts to get a second opinion. The factory repair manual (cited earlier) gives the procedure for checking the LBJ. It is quite easily done.
Click to expand...

I can't get that manual to open? Can you give me a quick run down on how to check them? Thanks!
 
4runninDrew said:
So, I have replaced many lower ball joints on tacomas. They are a slightly different arm than a 4runner LCA. For whatever reason the tacoma ball joints wear out and start to become loose, fairly often. The 4runner ball joint is way more solid. It depends what you want to do in terms of cost/durability. You can either replace the whole arm(s) and depending on where you live, the cam adjusters if they have seized, and then do an alignment. Or alternatively, you could replace the ball joint, but will have to be with an aftermarket one, which likely won't last quite the same as factory. I've done a couple 4runner ball joints, and when I've tried pressing the new one in, the control arm is just slightly too thick, so I've had to grind down a millimeter or two of the top, so that the new snap ring will fit.
Click to expand...

What brand ball joint have you used?
 
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