Really tiny small play on ball joint dangerous?

[achha64]

Hi,

I'm doing inspection of my car as I will have a short offroad trip soon.
I jacked up under the LCA closest possible to the LBJ and I notice a small tiny small. I need to force a bit to notice the small play. Dangerous?

 

[Kryptoroxx]

Personally I would start saving at that point and when I had everything I would just get the parts and replace when the time came.

 

[1985taylor1925]

Are you sure the play is in the lower ball joint? If so I would replace it as soon as you possibly can.

 

[pluton]

Do you know that the LBJ is an original, OEM, or junk replacement done by a PO?
If "short offroad trip" means 'easy, not brutal', then that would be better.

 

[achha64]

Do you know that the LBJ is an original, OEM, or junk replacement done by a PO?
If "short offroad trip" means 'easy, not brutal', then that would be better.

It's OEM. And the trip will be some water crossing and muddying pothole

 

[Terry C]

I just recently got my 99 back after having to have the fender replaced. Broke lft front lower ball joint. Once mine started going it took all of less than a week for it to let go.

 

[viceversa]

ahh that sight makes me cringe. when the LBJ fails like that does it also rip out the upper ball joint?

 

[KidVermicious]

^ Yes.

OP, on any other vehicle I'd say wait until they start squeaking or you can't align it. On this vehicle, with it's rep for LBJ failure, I'd replace it right now.

 

[Terry C]

I would also suggest going to toyota and getting toyota parts that's what I did

 

[viceversa]

I would also suggest going to toyota and getting toyota parts that's what I did

and I would suggest not going to a dealership who will charge you double what the normal cost is...

I use:

Toyota Parts Zone - Lowest Price for Genuine Toyota Parts
Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping

part numbers:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...nner-tie-rods-ball-joints-wheel-bearings.html

 

[KidVermicious]

Guys, the OP is in Cambodia.

 

[Terry C]

Oh well that changes things a little. If you have a choice of different grades get the top brand, I have a friend that gets me parts from the dealership because he works there. The lower on the passenger side is OEM the one on the driver side is a Moog

 

[7echo]

How do you check the LBJs for wear? My truck is a '99 with 101k miles. Every time I read an LBJ thread I start getting paranoid...:scared:

 

[Terry C]

First check if the boots are still intact, if not go ahead and change them. I take mine to the alignment guys and watch them check, they are usually checking for movement.

 

[jkoni426]

I just recently got my 99 back after having to have the fender replaced. Broke lft front lower ball joint. Once mine started going it took all of less than a week for it to let go.

Holy crap, and you're on stock suspension by the looks of it. I thought this was mainly an issue with lifted trucks throwing the geometry off and stressing that lower joint. Any warning signs (shimmy, creaking etc)? Mileage? How fast were you driving when it went?

Makes me paranoid about my '99...

 

[Terry C]

The steering got a little stiff and I got some noise but not a lot. Really as soon as I heard the squeaks I called and ordered the ball joint, it just went before I could get it replaced. To be completely honest this pic is after I had it replaced. The Mechanic forgot to put the retaining pin in the new joint. Which kinda worked out for me because the second time they had to fix the fender

 

[Terry C]

 

[Terry C]

This is the original ball joint fail

 

[Terry C]

Oh and yes mine is all stock, until I get the funds to do some of the mods I want

 

[jzme]

Scary! what are the signs that this is going to happen?