I’m refreshing my 2001 Limited. Ive never replaced the LBJ and have owned the vehicle for about 8 years. I’m preparing for some towing of a camper trailer. I thought that I had read on here when I first picked up 4Runner that it was recommended to upgrade to the Tacoma LBJ? The prevailing advice seems to to suggest replacing with OEM 4runner LBJ?
Official Lower Ball Joint Write Up Thread
- Thread starter shootmymime
- Start date
Malcolm99
Member
The Taco LBJ would require Taco OTRE, I've heard this reduces your steering radius? can't see how though unless the steering stops are different on the LBJ or LCA?, and I don't think the LBJ ball and socket are different Taco vs 4R, just the size of the OTRE, which aren't typically a problem.
Anyone ever noticed how little the range of motion is on that LBJ stud, 1/2" mAyBe?, know wonder lifted rigs have issues, its practically binding sitting still at a 3" lift.
Anyone ever noticed how little the range of motion is on that LBJ stud, 1/2" mAyBe?, know wonder lifted rigs have issues, its practically binding sitting still at a 3" lift.
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redshift83
New member
Well, i just got off the phone with my mechanic for the annual inspection and my driver's side LBJ is loose. Makes sense considering i heard a noise from there, but i thought it was more of the ARB bumper hitting the body, glad they check the LBJs though, it was loose enough to see without the indicator!
The thing is, i replaced these about 1.5 years ago with OEM toyota LBJs, and they maybe have 15k on them, wtf? I won't exclude installation error, but that seems unlikely that they made it this far if i did something wrong way back then. Another concern is i got these from a 'Toyota dealer' via ebay, has anyone ever heard of counterfeit LBJs re-boxed as OEM? I'm concerned the other one may be on it's way out too if they're fake.
The thing is, i replaced these about 1.5 years ago with OEM toyota LBJs, and they maybe have 15k on them, wtf? I won't exclude installation error, but that seems unlikely that they made it this far if i did something wrong way back then. Another concern is i got these from a 'Toyota dealer' via ebay, has anyone ever heard of counterfeit LBJs re-boxed as OEM? I'm concerned the other one may be on it's way out too if they're fake.
eddielasvegas
Member
That's a bummer and very surprising. Are you 100% confident in your mechanic? I ask as it sure seems beyond weird that they would fail at such low mileage.
Maybe buy directly from a Toyota dealer? I'm at the point where I cast a long eye at anything on eBay and Amazon.
Keep us posted and good luck,
Eddie
Maybe buy directly from a Toyota dealer? I'm at the point where I cast a long eye at anything on eBay and Amazon.
Keep us posted and good luck,
Eddie
JohnOfTheJungle
Member
I bought some Outer tie rod ends off eBay a while back that claimed to be OEM but shipped out of Venezuela and came in a Toyota OEM bag that had been ripped open and the non-OEM tie rod end was there.
Here is what the listing looked like
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Mark_BC
Senior Member
It's from your lift, if you haven't done a diff drop. It puts them at suboptimal angles.
redshift83
New member
Thanks for the responses everyone. I am 100% confident in the mechanic, my whole family has been using them for 20 ish years and they specifically work on Toyota. I have brought them enough business in the past that I hope at least they wouldn't try to take me for a ride. Also, they're aware of my mechanical abilities, I had the owner/mechanic tell me I knew more about my Celica than them when I was mid engine swap, haha.
Fortunately, the 4r seems more stable driving home and there arent any more noises(!) driving over bumps so I think I didnt have much time left on the previous one. Unfortunately, they didnt have OEM LBJs so I'm gonna buy a set, probably from Camelback or similar, and use the ones on there as offroad spares.
Fortunately, the 4r seems more stable driving home and there arent any more noises(!) driving over bumps so I think I didnt have much time left on the previous one. Unfortunately, they didnt have OEM LBJs so I'm gonna buy a set, probably from Camelback or similar, and use the ones on there as offroad spares.
redshift83
New member
Would the diff drop affect the LBJ angle? I think that's only the CV axle angle that changes. At any rate, I'm running a 2" lift(less with the ARB now) and i did do a diff drop even though it's not super necessary at that height.
Assuming I didnt mess up the install I'm thinking they were fake. I remember the bags being messy and used looking but the joints seemed to match genuine ones i saw so I didnt think too much about it. Oh well, I learned my lesson about using ebay to save a buck haha.
JohnOfTheJungle
Member
Interesting, I always thought the diff drop was just for cv axles, I didn’t know it affected LBJ as well
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Mark_BC
Senior Member
Cut them open after they are out to see what they look like inside. There was a thread here last year from a guy who cut open OEM vs aftermarket. Unfortunately the pictures are gone
Ball joint extravaganza...the results will shock you!
How would a diff drop change anything with the lower ball joints?
eddielasvegas
Member
What are you confused about?
Give the dealer your VIN and let them figure it out.
The LBJs are attached via the 4 bolts. Order 8 of those.
Good luck,
Eddie
Give the dealer your VIN and let them figure it out.
The LBJs are attached via the 4 bolts. Order 8 of those.
Good luck,
Eddie
Devbot
New member
So I was aiming to do my ball joints soon (both sets), and I was curious - is it worth replacing the LCA's while I'm at it? Thinking about shooting for a new set of UCAs altogether, and I'm still rocking OEM units all around at nearly 300k
Started with just doing LBJs, then I figured I might as well snag some longer travelling UCAs, now I'm wondering if the lowers should be serviced while I'm at it - and if so, who to shop through
Started with just doing LBJs, then I figured I might as well snag some longer travelling UCAs, now I'm wondering if the lowers should be serviced while I'm at it - and if so, who to shop through
T4topher
Member
Could just replace the bushings. Bushings are the least expensive route and there are a few different methods of doing it. Solo motor sports has a pretty sweet LCA setup, a bit on the expensive side though. Could also just go oem new LCAs at 200$ each..
RAD4Runner
Senior Member
Thanks for sharing. Looks like socket lip gave way and ball pulled out?I wanted to add my experience here....
... 1998 SR5 with 192,000
.... 2.5 weeks after buying it, the Lower Ball Joint Failed.
Symptoms were only noticeable for maybe 15 miles before it gave out....
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tpelletier
New member
just bought a 2002 with about 200k miles. would it be advisable to change the LBJ ?
is there a way to tell if they have already been replaced ?
is it just the front 2 or all 4 should be replaced ?
thanks
is there a way to tell if they have already been replaced ?
is it just the front 2 or all 4 should be replaced ?
thanks
If there is no maintenance history on when the lower ball joints have been replaced I would err om the side of caution and replace with OEM. Before you purchase new lower ball joints see if the recall to replace them has been performed. You may be able to get them replaced by Toyota for free if the recall is still open.
EDIT: There is an inspection procedure in the factory service manual, but the specification is so small it requires the use of a dial indicator to determine.
tpelletier
New member
Went over to Lookup Safety Recalls & Service Campaigns
and "There are no open Safety Recalls or Service Campaigns for this vehicle."
does this mean I should still err on the side of caution and get them replaced ?
EDIT: my carfax on the vehicle says nothing about a LBJ
are only the front LBJ the ones to be replaced ?
Like I said earlier, if you don't know when they were replaced last I would replace them. Only the front end has lower and upper ball joints.
