Small LBJ issue...

[Curtiswlkr]

Small Lower Ball Joint issue...

New member here as I've been doing some repairs to my 98!
long story short... CHECK YOUR LOWER BALL JOINTS!!! I learned the hard way going 50mph down the road and my LBJ completely seperated. She has about 180,000 miles on her but I never checked for any play in the ball joints. I was however having funky feeling steering on the day it happened. Like when i turned the steering wheel, it wouldnt go back to center on its own. But anyway, a LBJ is cheaper than a Upper and lower BJ, New CV shaft, Brake line, a $250 tire and A new tie rod end when your suspension falls apart... So dont be like me, wiggle your wheels.

 

[96743runner]

Ouch...glad your ok man!! Are you lifted, and if so for how many miles? Gonna finally have mine changed sometime next week or the following week. Pretty scary knowing that something like that could happen because of a LBJ

 

[97fun4x4runner]

Ack~!

That sucks. I'll be checking mine VERY soon, ty for the heads up. Sorry that happened to you bud.

 

[GX4SEVEND]

I'm starting to this these threads more and more. Does anyone have a complete parts list for OEM parts to do the whole replacement like LBJ, tie rods, etc?

 

[t4r4life]

i just replaced mine after the ARB bumper install, so i feel pretty good about mine but sorry about your damage man good thing you didnt get hurt or hurt somebody else

 

[Elton H]

dam !!!!!! this is another good reason i took my 4runner off the road

 

[smallfry]

Ouch!

That brings back some painful memories.

 

[SRSRunner]

did you go with the 4runner replacement parts or parts for a taco? There was a thread on here about which was better etc. Also, were there any other warnings aside from just the steering? vibration etc?

 

[Baja Runner]

Its amazing how you were able to pull it into the center divide...

 

[JohnsD90]

Its amazing how you were able to pull it into the center divide...

at 50mph lol who the he'll is in the turn lane at 50.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Ouch, that sucks. Though if you are just getting away for some new suspension parts, then you are lucky. I think a couple guys here near totaled their's having this happen (or did total it by hitting something after losing the LBJ).

Do a search on this subject, there are several other threads already about this exact thing.

05 LTD, search and you will find the parts for doing the replacement. Lots of discussion on this already.

 

[IanB]

Sorry to hear this, but at least there was no body damage and nobody got hurt. I just changed mine for new OEM this past weekend, truck has 150,000kms on it.

 

[Singtoe]

Did the ball joint pull out of the cup or did it shear off?

 

[Pikeman]

I'm starting to this these threads more and more. Does anyone have a complete parts list for OEM parts to do the whole replacement like LBJ, tie rods, etc?

I will try to get my receipts and post up the numbers for you but the best thing you can do is go to toyotapartsales.com and just put in the info and start ordering.

OP- sorry about your luck but also want to mention you are lucky at the same time. We had a memeber a few years ago doing same speed and rolled his truck down the freeway. I did mine between 5-10mph but I was turning and the tire took out the fender and a few other things. You will also want to check the steering knuckle as mine got bent.

 

[BrianSD_42]

look at the up side. based on the pictures it doesn't look like you damaged the body or frame.

you mightbe able to fix it forless than$1500. most peoples cars are totalled due to the damage.

 

[Curtiswlkr]

Are you lifted, and if so for how many miles?

Only a body lift since 115,000 and 285's

did you go with the 4runner replacement parts or parts for a taco? There was a thread on here about which was better etc. Also, were there any other warnings aside from just the steering? vibration etc?

I went with Moog upper and lower BJ's. Ive heard good things about them. I replaced the other side too just in case!
as for warning signs, it really was just the funky steering. there wasnt vibration or anything.

Its amazing how you were able to pull it into the center divide...

haha the tow truck driver said the same thing! made his life a little easier. Once my wheel ripped off I had no brakes so i yanked the wheel to the left and slid on the tire for about 50 yards. Luckily nobody was in front of me or a stoplight or something...

Did the ball joint pull out of the cup or did it shear off?

The lower pulled out of the cup, which pulled the upper out of the cup as well. the lower was rusty and the upper was all shiny and greasy which brings me to that conclusion..

look at the up side. based on the pictures it doesn't look like you damaged the body or frame.

you mightbe able to fix it forless than$1500. most peoples cars are totalled due to the damage.

I ended up doing all the work myself, on BOTH sides (ball joints upper and lowers, CV's, Tierods, and brake lines) and bought a new tire and i spent about $600

When i look back, Im very glad that it didnt end up in a crash or something much worse... I know i got away from this one pretty good.

Heres some pics of the BJ's and my tire that got sliced up... I think these tires are amazing BTW. I had to fix the car at a friends house because of my limited tow covereage, and i ended up driving the runner about 20miles back home on the sliced tire and it never started to seperate or lost any air. It would probably be fine to drive on for awhile but i have replaced it already...