POLL: When Did Your 3rd-Gen 4Runner or 1st Gene Taco Lower Ball-Joint Fail?

[phattyduck]

any noticeable difference in how it rides? mine has 260k, daily driver and I never offroad and I'm bout to do the timing belt which is important but I'm torn between waiting to do the ball joints because my dad has 550,000 on his 3rd gen's original ball joints and I'm on a tight budget,

If either fail, you are left on the side of the road. If the timing belt fails, there is no permanent damage (and they last MUCH longer than the 90k service interval). If the ball joints fail, you will have more to replace than just the lower ball joints, along with possible body damage, etc.

Seems like an easy choice?

-Charlie

 

[T4R2014]

I love the paranoia behind this. These aren't the worst design if you don't dick around with the factory ride height. Failure rate is no worse, if not less than most other vehicles. Seen plenty of 400k mile ball joints.

 

[Scoop'02]

What site did you go to when checking this info? I called a dealer once but this looks easier!

Btw, does anyone know if dealerships will still honor this recall if their records show it hasn’t been done?

I created an account here:
and entered my VIN. There's a Service History tab that shows any work done by Toyota. The record for this just said RECALL until I clicked on "show details"

I don't think there should be a time limit on recalls if they don't have any record of doing the work, but I don't know for sure..

Just found this:

 

[gamefreakgc]

I love the paranoia behind this. These aren't the worst design if you don't dick around with the factory ride height. Failure rate is no worse, if not less than most other vehicles. Seen plenty of 400k mile ball joints.

It's because it's the only common point of failure. If the only issue we had was leaky door seals, everyone would be stressing in every thread to replace your door seals before water causes a short circuit and blows up your 4Runner.

 

[T4R2014]

It's because it's the only common point of failure. If the only issue we had was leaky door seals, everyone would be stressing in every thread to replace your door seals before water causes a short circuit and blows up your 4Runner.

On lifted applications it is very common. Notice 9/10 pictures when googling are lifted. Otherwise, I think there are other cars with LBJs worthy of labeling as flawed by design.

Actually, the majority of used 4Runners I've seen had leaky sunroofs. Perfect breeding ground for mold. I think this is the real hidden threat.

 

[96RedRunner]

On lifted applications it is very common. Notice 9/10 pictures when googling are lifted. Otherwise...

I noticed that too. I beleive the only reason I got 350k mi on 96red LBJ's, 109k mi with 3" lift is from how I set limit strap length
to the movement limit of LBJ.

With 01 at 198k mi on LBJ's, within FSM spec I changed them to start from scratch on the 200k refurb.
College Prof DD never offroad good maint records recall hadn't been done.

 

[ajordan1975]

Never, because I keep on general maintenance. They've been replaced, but because they were worn, but never a failure. :withstupid:

 

[JayRolla]

On lifted applications it is very common. Notice 9/10 pictures when googling are lifted. Otherwise, I think there are other cars with LBJs worthy of labeling as flawed by design.

Actually, the majority of used 4Runners I've seen had leaky sunroofs. Perfect breeding ground for mold. I think this is the real hidden threat.

Funny thing if you type just lower ball joint failure 98% are toyotas and quite a few Toyota cars also.

 

[Desertwind16v]

I replaced the LBJ @ 255k, OTRE @ 256k and the UBJ @ 267k. All were done to prevent any issues down the road, especially given the high mileage. No play in any of the joints. I imagine most replies will be that they were replaced before failure, especially given the common knowledge and wealth of info on these forums regarding the issue.

 

[MStudt]

I noticed that too. I beleive the only reason I got 350k mi on 96red LBJ's, 109k mi with 3" lift is from how I set limit strap length
to the movement limit of LBJ.

With 01 at 198k mi on LBJ's, within FSM spec I changed them to start from scratch on the 200k refurb.
College Prof DD never offroad good maint records recall hadn't been done.

Unless you getting full droop on your way to work your limit straps aren't providing you with anything. They're not going to limit your LBJ movement unless you have them so tight your suspension doesn't move.

Limit strap sole purpose is to limit the amount of droop, and one thing these can do is help to not bind your LBJ. Just not as a DD.

 

[MStudt]

I've owned my 4runner for about 5 years now, and I've put 75k miles on it. In that time I've replaced my LJB's 3 times. My current set has been on for about 10k miles now.

 

[T4R2014]

I noticed that too. I beleive the only reason I got 350k mi on 96red LBJ's, 109k mi with 3" lift is from how I set limit strap length
to the movement limit of LBJ.

With 01 at 198k mi on LBJ's, within FSM spec I changed them to start from scratch on the 200k refurb.
College Prof DD never offroad good maint records recall hadn't been done.

Yup, I recall you mentioning that. Even if you aren't hitting full droop, I think they are still being given more of a workout.

Funny thing if you type just lower ball joint failure 98% are toyotas and quite a few Toyota cars also.

Not sure how you got 98%, but yeah plenty of lifted 4Runner failure pics. Even yours!

 

[96RedRunner]

Limit strap sole purpose is to limit the amount of droop, and one thing these can do is help to not bind your LBJ. Just not as a DD.

May not have been clear enough, 96Red & 01 DD are two different rides.
96Red saw offroad I limited droop so I wouldn't bind LBJ, yea I left some droop on the table but I wasn't breaking shit.
Don't mind breaking CV not fond on breaking LBJ.

Edit: 349k mi on LBJ's 70%-30% DD v O/R mix over 18 yr is damn good wouldn't you say.

 

[JayRolla]

Yup, I recall you mentioning that. Even if you aren't hitting full droop, I think they are still being given more of a workout.



Not sure how you got 98%, but yeah plenty of lifted 4Runner failure pics. Even yours!

I counted 1st 10 pics and 1 was not a Toyota.

So 90%. Lol. Most of the cars are lowered Lexus vehicles.

 

[Chubeto]

I replaced mine at 273K. My driver side CV Axle broke and decided to replace the LBJs because I had everything taken apart already.

 

[nobb]

The OEM LBJ's at 307,000 kms were actually still tight and in good condition. I replaced them anyways (with OEM) as due diligence because that was also when I put on my 3" lift.

At 375,000 kms, I was disappointed to find that these LBJs were both loose already. Much noticeably looser than the LBJs before with 307,000 kms on it, but at stock ride height. I can make this claim because I kept the originals as a spare, so I was able to directly compare the looseness of the joint. I have offroaded the truck, but nothing too crazy.

I am fairly certain that lifting your truck is what really wears out these ball joints. I'm going to be doing yearly checks now every 20,000 kms and I expect to have to replace these joints every 50-80,000 kms.

Coles Notes:
OEM LBJs on stock ride height after 300,000 kms = still tight
OEM LBJs on 3" lift after 70,000 kms = loose

 

[MaineRunna]

Replaced mine on my 98 at 222k just because I was installing a new 3" lift and whole bunch of other new parts and I just thought it was time. I replaced upper & lower ball joints, inner & outer tie rod ends and the sway bar links with 555 components purchased from LROR. Not one piece of the original stuff was worn out. So much so that I saved the old inner and outer tie rod ends. I never off roaded it hard, but it had a 2.5 lift in it for 70k miles. I have been repairing vehicles professionally for over 30 years and I would say that Toyotas and Japanese cars in general need ball joints and other front end components far less than domestic vehicles. I have to change lower control arms in cars like the Chevy Malibu or Impala at 50-100k miles. Hub assemblies on Chevy trucks at 50-100k miles. I have seen a few Tacos have lower ball joint separation and its not pretty, so If your's are worn out replace them.

 

[RAD4Runner]

You missed the 200-250k mark. I cant vote. Mine failed at around 230k.

OOPS! Sorry, I messed that up.
I'll re-post correct one when I get the chance.

 

[PLC 83]

I replaced mine at 230K with OEM's just to avoid a failure. They still seemed tight, but better safe than sorry. 1999 Limited 4wd.