Poll: Broken lower balljoint

How did they break?

  • Ball pulled out of socket (ball was still intact but separated)

    Votes: 5 100.0%

  • Joint snapped

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Bolts broke off

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Don't know

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    5
  • Poll closed .
A

angus

New member
Hey people - if you have broken a lower balljoint, please post a description if you know "how" it broke.

Also please list if you have a lift/tires.

Trying to decide wether to change my 15 year old joints even though they have no play.

I have OEM parts sitting here - but don't want to waste them.
 
Register to hide this ad
I would strongly suggest you replace them! I replaced mine at $162k. Mine looked fine and didn't have any play in them, still I went and replaced them. Did not wanna risk it because if they fail, it could be catastrophic.
 
Failed OEM ball joint with 200k miles. Car was on a front 3" spacer lift then was switched to 881's/ome shocks and then it failed popping out of socket. Also caused upper to fail.

My buddys failed same way but on toytec coilovers around 160k miles I believe. Then his NEW OEM BALL JOINT FAILED 15K OR LESS MILES LATER. BROKE AT THE NUT, LOOKED LIKE IT TORE OFF!!! WAS TQ'ED TO SPECS AND EVERYTHING!!! We dont know why.
 
Just replace them. It's worth the $170 now to replace them rather than thousands if you have one fail and need to replace everything on the front end and have body work done because your tire got smashed up into the fender and door. I'm not lifted yet and I replaced mine at 166k. No regrets about it and I feel much safer driving it now.
 
It would be ideal if the poll included a requirement to state if it was an original / OEM ball joint or an aftermarket one.

A surprising amount of the failures are replaced aftermarket ball joints.
 
JayRolla said:
Yes usually after the OEM had failed.
Click to expand...


I get what you are saying ..... What I've read quite often is a person decides to preemptively replace their Ball Joint, they choose some aftermarket Ball Joint and then it fails within 2 years.

I agree that are a lot of OEMs with 200K miles on them failing but there are also a lot of aftermarkets failing within 2 years or 30K miles.
 
BrianSD_42 said:
I get what you are saying ..... What I've read quite often is a person decides to preemptively replace their Ball Joint, they choose some aftermarket Ball Joint and then it fails within 2 years.

I agree that are a lot of OEMs with 200K miles on them failing but there are also a lot of aftermarkets failing within 2 years or 30K miles.
Click to expand...

Yes that is correct. We both are right.
 
Now I am scared to drive....162k....thanks guys.

What is the best brand to get? 100% OEM or is there an aftermarket people use?
 
Like I learned from reading the threads "Google search Camelback Toyota parts" "Best price on OEM parts" Being a skeptic I researched it...for the most part its true, especially for LBJ.
 
I replaced my stock ones at 192k miles. No failure here, but did not want to risk it since I often drive with my wife and currently unborn child. I'm just not leaving it to chance. It's an easy job too so there's really no reason not to. I'm not sure why Toyota did not recall all 3rd Gen 4Runners for this, it's the only major design flaw in the truck and a pretty serious safety issue at that.

About pricing, I've looked at Toyota of Dallas as well as Camelback. If you meet the free shipping then Camelback is cheaper, but Toyota of Dallas tends to have lower prices so it's a tradeoff. I did take Toyota of Dallas pricing and took it to my dealer (which charges literally TWICE as much) and they came down a lot but not completely. The plus side is that I left with the parts in hand instead of having to wait a week or so. Nice if it's something if you need quickly.

The parts guy wasn't very happy though lol!
 
My local toyota dealer will match online prices. I just have to go to there website. Request the part and quote. They will send me a quote based from online pricing. Just have to print and bring quote. I was able to get an UBJ locally for $35 with tax. Same as online and no wait.
 
I just replaced mine with 200k miles, and the ones coming off were in good shape. I have no idea if they had been replaced previously though. My truck has had paint work done on the front left fender, and no accident history, so maybe that one broke on the previous owner and did some damage.

I'm with everyone else. I'd replace them with OEM just for the peace of mind. You'd never be able to live with yourself if you put it off and then had an accident that hurt someone.
 
:deadhorse: all of the threads and post on this subject and yet we need to convince someone else that a 15yo part on their vehicle should be replaced... its a wear item, it has a life, just like tires or breaks or anything else. how long its gonna last depends a lot on how the vehicle was driven, i can make a set of tires last 80k miles, or 800 miles depending on how i dirve. my wifes car still has the original brakes on it with plenty of pad left and she is at 80k mi, but my 4runner would need them every 40k...

when my ball joints broke it was like they exploded, shrapnel everywhere, killed a kid walking down the street and an exotic/endangered spotted owl. i heard they even found pieces of it on the grassy knoll in dealey plaza, though that was never substantiated...
 
Herculean T4R said:
I would strongly suggest you replace them! I replaced mine at $162k. Mine looked fine and didn't have any play in them, still I went and replaced them. Did not wanna risk it because if they fail, it could be catastrophic.
Click to expand...

Most expensive LBJs EVER! Must be the new platinum versions. :biggrin2:
 
I don't need any convincing that the balljoints fail, I've seen lots - even in person.

The thing is I usually see them pulled out of the socket and I don't think that can happen unless there is slack from wear.

I do have the new OEM joints on hand and want to replace them but I have NO slack yet so I'd be inclined to let it go for a bit - and the post about the guy who changed his with OEM parts which failed shortly thereafter makes me scared...

I wish someone would make a lower balljoint guard so it cannot separate. Of course it would not fix the bolts breaking...

I may even order new OEM bolts as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 411 (members: 4, guests: 407)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,307
Messages
3,554,055
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top