More than just LBJ paranoia, right?

[fatherohenry]

First of all, I'm still new to the DIY thing. I had a not-so-great experience paying someone to come to my house and do my TB, WP, VC gaskets a couple months ago and decided to learn to do everything I could reasonably handle myself. Turns out that list is already longer than I thought it would be.

After replacing my radiator, flushing cooling system and transmission, replacing and repositioning tstat and a few other things I've learned about here, I started learning about lower ball joints. I started following a Toyota LBJ Failure group on fb and my turns have gotten a lot wider and slower.

I've had them "inspected" and deemed "not bad" but I had my doubts. To my own eyes they just looked old but since I have no records from PO I've been planning on replacing them with OEM as soon as I'm comfortable tackling the job (which I am now thanks to this forum and Tim & Sean's videos).

Right LBJ - this is what I recall both of them looking like:

After picking up a jack and some 6 ton stands I took a closer look today. I definitely would have noticed grease seeping out of the left one like this:

Funny how I noticed this just as I've finished buying all the tools and I'm about to order the parts next week. What better time for it to fail, right?

Do I dare drive on this? I've nothing to compare it to other than horror stories people post online.

 

[Devbot]

Very nice save. Would I drive it like that? Only if I had to, but definitely not for long, and it would certainly be a nerve racking ride. I'd probably be comfortable driving it a week at most like so, but that's me. It looks like you caught it very early which is good, the grease isn't even contaminated and it doesn't look like it's fully split open, but unfortunately I don't think there's a way you could really put a bandaid on it
If possible I would order the stuff sooner since it'll probably take a while to get to you

 

[photoleif]

i recall it took about an hour per side including lifting the vehicle, removing and replacing tires and such. it's honestly not a difficult job with the right tools, and the vid by timmy the toolman and sean you mentioned made it painless. because you're tossing the old ones, then there's no need beyond forensic curiosity in taking special care with the boots. just pay attention to the torque specs.

 

[Sparky 97Runner]

You are definitely on the right track by changing your radiator and LBJs and doing it yourself. I would immediately change these two items out unless I had rock solid records from the PO that I really trusted. Play in the LBJ is more of an issue than the freshly leaking boot but nevertheless, change them out ASAP.

 

[Sarki]

Not a bad job at all unless you have to deal with rusted hardware which it appears is not an issue in your case.
An easy and satisfying afternoon job which I would put at the top of my must do list based on photos supplied.

 

[fatherohenry]

Thanks for the input.

Very nice save....
If possible I would order the stuff sooner since it'll probably take a while to get to you

I'll be ordering ASAP. Dealership quoted me $282 for the pair (04005-02235) or $160 each. They're $120/each through the dealership online and just under $10 for 8 bolts. The 02235 part number doesn't show up for me online. The parts guy on the phone asked me, in an accusatory tone, where I got that part number.

just pay attention to the torque specs.

59 on the flange bolts for my '96, not 37! I believe it's still 67 and 105 for the castles.

Play in the LBJ is more of an issue than the freshly leaking boot but nevertheless, change them out ASAP.

I checked for play before visually inspecting but I've gotten so paranoid about this that not being able to detect any wouldn't have convinced me they were still good. I can't judge 1/2 mm without calipers!

An easy and satisfying afternoon job which I would put at the top of my must do list based on photos supplied.

I wanted to start replacing bushings to freshen things up but this just shot to job number 1. Easy and satisfying sounds great. Sure hope it goes that way!

 

[FD7683]

Those 2 gotta go. I've heard bad things about grease leaking out of those and causing a seperation failure.

 

[JohnMc]

It's a little bit paranoid, but I'd go ahead and buy new OEM bolts (4 per side) to go along with a the new OEM balljoint.

The main problem with the ball joints is the ball popping out of the socket with enough wear, but when replacing them, you can get different failure types. The 4 bolts either coming loose or breaking, the large single nut holding the other side in similarly either coming lose or breaking. Generally speaking (i.e. you didn't slam into something while driving) that would be because of under or over tightening - or using worn/stretched/weakened old bolts.

Buy new bolts, and use a torque wrench, and torque to spec, not 'it feels gudentite'.

 

[Bad Luck]

Thanks for the input.



I'll be ordering ASAP. Dealership quoted me $282 for the pair (04005-02235) or $160 each. They're $120/each through the dealership online and just under $10 for 8 bolts. The 02235 part number doesn't show up for me online. The parts guy on the phone asked me, in an accusatory tone, where I got that part number.

Both LBJ's for $190 Joint Assembly Lower Ball ***NO PART FITMENT VERIFICATION AVAILABLE EVEN IF VIN IS SUPPLIED*** 04005-02235 | Toyota Parts

 

[Ted02]

I don’t know what dealer you are ordering from, but gamefreakgc pointed out a while back that Roseville Toyota has discounted online ordering with ability to will call once notified that the order is ready. I had been ordering from Camelback Toyota previously, but shipping charges were getting pretty crazy. I’ve found Roseville Toyota’s pricing and free pick up to be the way to go now! Plus, you can inspect for damage at time of pick up, such as radiators, etc. Maybe you are already going this route, but thought I’d throw it out there anyway.

Good luck on your lbj’s!

 

[fatherohenry]

I don’t know what dealer you are ordering from, but gamefreakgc pointed out a while back that Roseville Toyota has discounted online ordering with ability to will call once notified that the order is ready.... Maybe you are already going this route, but thought I’d throw it out there anyway.

Good luck on your lbj’s!

Thanks!

I'm dealing with Maita Toyota. I called back this morning to see if they'd match McGeorge or Camelback. Told me the best he could do was $211. Even with new bolts and castle nuts I'm still under $250 and I don't have to wait for shipping. Well, I'm still waiting for the impact wrench and sockets but that's another story. Serves me right for saying I'd finished buying the tools. I know better than that.

 

[phattyduck]

I've had good luck with the "order online and pickup locally" method at my local Honda dealer. I gotta find a good Toyota dealer for that same process now... Not all of them do it.

It is worth the extra couple $$$ to buy 'local' and see what you are getting and save shipping time.

-Charlie

 

[Boognish_Forever]

When I bought my 4runner in 2017 with 68,000 miles, both LBJ were leaking. I would check for play every time I did an oil change or had the tire shop check when I had my tires rotated. Even after hitting 100,000 miles last year and doing some hard off-roading, there still was no play. But now they were sandy and crusty from Moab.

I had my OEM ball joints and new bolts ready, but I was dreading doing the job because of rust. Which was the main reason I neglected it from the beginning. Well I started working on the tie rod and had to drill the cotter pin out because it broke off inside and broke 2 drill bits trying to get it out so I could get the castle nut off.. Even though I sprayed everything with PB blast for 3 days before, it didn’t matter. I said F this I’m bringing it in to a shop. The mechanic charged me an extra $60 bucks (PNW shops hate rust) for the rust on top of labor charges, but it was worth it.

Luckily you don’t have the rust issue.

 

[JoeT4R]

I don’t know if this thread popping up is a sign, or just ironic. But I knocked out my LBJ’s at 223K miles in 2015. Fast forward to 2021 and I’m at 300K. No rust issues, have done some wheeling the past couple of years but nothing hardcore. These days I’m just daily driving it. I think I’m overdue though simply because of mileage. Given that I just recently reached 300K, I want to continue my journey of driving my high mileage 4Runner and I believe this is a key component to include in staying on top of.

 

[fatherohenry]

After removing both LBJs it turned out there was zero play in either. Both tight as a drum. But I'm glad I did them. There's a lot of comfort knowing exactly when something was done and that it was done right.

An easy and satisfying afternoon job...

Easy? You weren't kidding! Changing spark plugs was more difficult! I can see how it could be a hassle if I had to deal with rust or didn't have the right tools but this was a piece of cake. I can't believe all the stress I put myself through leading up to it. And satisfying? Boy howdy!

I'm so grateful I found this forum along with Timmy & Sean's videos.

 

[gamefreakgc]

After removing both LBJs it turned out there was zero play in either. Both tight as a drum. But I'm glad I did them.

With that grease boot cracked and failing, one more winter would have washed the grease out and you'd be metal on metal. I think you were probably 1-2 years from complete failure so it was a good catch. I've come across more than one Tacoma/4Runner on the road with a failed LBJ, Usually happens on U-turns!

If you ever need a hand, I'm in your neck of the woods. I have all sorts of odd tools and the like as well you can borrow for next time. I started out 10 years ago just like you, fed up with paying ridiculous labor prices to do simple jobs. So I learned.

 

[fatherohenry]

If you ever need a hand, I'm in your neck of the woods. I have all sorts of odd tools and the like as well you can borrow for next time. I started out 10 years ago just like you, fed up with paying ridiculous labor prices to do simple jobs. So I learned.

Thanks for the offer! I really appreciate it. And I'd be happy to help if you ever need an extra set of hands.

With the 3 ton jack, 6 ton stands, impact wrench & sockets, OTC front end kit and the actual ball joints I think I spent about $50 more than the dealership quoted me. My tool collection is getting there but I'm not breaking up with the Amazon delivery girl yet - even though she refused to hold the rear hatch for me while I was replacing the struts last week.