Time for new lower ball joints?

[stivine6]

Hey guys,

Checked under my vehicle the other day just to make sure everything looked okay. I noticed my lower ball joints look pretty old with some rust building. I took it to my mechanic and he said i shouldn't be worrying about with my current mileage (99 605 miles) and that there was zero play when he checked. What do you guys think?

I'm thinking of replacing it to be safe... vehicle is sitting currently awaiting for winter.

Driver side with some grease

Passenger side with some grease as well

Also if i were to replace them how much should i be expecting for labor? Planning on going OEM replacements

 

[Scramble]

yea, it's time to change them.

Depends on how much your mechanic charges per hr & how many hours the book says this will take. Figure around $400. Or you could do it yourself for around $90 in OEM parts

 

[nissanh]

I am sure you mean $90 per side

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

yea, it's time to change them.

Depends on how much your mechanic charges per hr & how many hours the book says this will take. Figure around $400. Or you could do it yourself for around $90 in OEM parts

$90 each ball joint plus the bolts were about $12

 

[Scramble]

$90 each ball joint plus the bolts were about $12

I think you're right. I bought OTRE's at the same time & they were around $45 each.

 

[Gadgetguy]

Mine look perfect and I'll be doing them ASAP just because I don't know the history. Cheap insurance.

 

[absalom]

$89/ each @ Camelback. Easy to swap out yourself too, just make sure you put loctite on all 8 bolts.

If you don't do it, fully expect to have one fail soon. Yours look very far gone. There is two LBJ failure 4runners at my local auction as we speak. It's common, and easily avoidable.

 

[mtbtim]

Yes, you need to replace them. You have evidence of cracked boots due to the amount of grease that is seen squeezed out around them. Will they last longer? Sure they will. Is it worth rolling the dice when they will fail? No, it's not. With the boots cracked, the lubricating grease will make it's way out and contaminants from the road will make their way in. With this situation, the balljoint wear will be accelerated. If you've seen the damage that can be caused when a balljoint fails not to mention the potential to cause an accident where you and any passengers could be hurt, it's money well spent to replace them.

This is not a hard repair to do. The specialty tools you need for this are pullers and you can rent them at auto parts stores like O"Reilly, Auto Zone and probably others.

Take a look at the video [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I made for this job. Save yourself some money and just do it yourself.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bfLvtEnX9qk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[amalik]

$89/ each @ Camelback. Easy to swap out yourself too, just make sure you put loctite on all 8 bolts.

If you don't do it, fully expect to have one fail soon. Yours look very far gone. There is two LBJ failure 4runners at my local auction as we speak. It's common, and easily avoidable.

Easily avoidable if you're a T4R member,

God, I always cringe inside whenever I see a rust bucket & then become thankful for CO/west coast.

 

[Unner]

It's always time to change LBJs if you drive a 3rd gen. Get new bolts and only use OEM parts unless you want an angry T4R mob to show up at your doorstep.

 

[stivine6]

Alright looks like I'll replace the ball joints before I pull the car out for winter this year. If I order the oem ball joints do they come with new bolts?

I called up a local dealer here in Canada and they quoted me $182 EACH side. Sounds like I'm over paying... dam canadian prices.

 

[stivine6]

bit the bullet just now and ordered new lower ball joints (OEM) and 8x new bolts from directpartstoyota. Cost was $376 CAN after taxes

Figured I will do this right the first time and peace of mind. I'll be changing them out myself at home to save some $$$. Doesn't seem too hard just have to get those rust bolts off

 

[ThomasGS4]

Glad you decided to do it! Looks like they're past due for a change.


Just had mine done yesterday along with new outer tie rods. OEM parts, baby! :high5:

 

[stivine6]

Did you do them yourself? If so did you run into issues?

OEM is definitely the way to go in these big components. I just did my entire rear axle seal leaks with all OEM parts including wheel bearings

 

[111db]

Start soaking that rusty hardware down with some PB Blaster today - that main stud may give you some headaches. Good luck.

 

[ToyotaBrah]

God, I always cringe inside whenever I see a rust bucket & then become thankful for CO/west coast.

You know, you sound a bit pretentious in the way you said this. Just saying.

 

[ThomasGS4]

Did you do them yourself? If so did you run into issues?

OEM is definitely the way to go in these big components. I just did my entire rear axle seal leaks with all OEM parts including wheel bearings

I did not do them, but nothing a little verbal and physical persuasion can't fix if you do come across any issues.

 

[theesotericone]

Here's something that I've been meaning to ask and this seems like an active thread. Did Toyota ever redesign the 3rd gen ball joints? It seems like everyone is replacing with OEM but OEM where the ones that where prone to failure. I just checked mine the other day and they are bomber solid. No movement at all. No tears or cracks. I'm putting SPC upper control arms on this weekend and could replace the lowers

 

[111db]

Toyota ever redesign the 3rd gen ball joints? It seems like everyone is replacing with OEM but OEM where the ones that where prone to failure.

Good question and I don't know that answer. But I can tell you that whatever you get from Rock Auto will be junk compared to OEM. The "USA made" RA stuff I got didn't last 10k (about 70% offroad) before they were trash. Replaced with OEM and they're still in great shape after 20k.

 

[amalik]

Here's something that I've been meaning to ask and this seems like an active thread. Did Toyota ever redesign the 3rd gen ball joints? It seems like everyone is replacing with OEM but OEM where the ones that where prone to failure. I just checked mine the other day and they are bomber solid. No movement at all. No tears or cracks. I'm putting SPC upper control arms on this weekend and could replace the lowers

That's a good question. There was a recall on I believe the 01's and 02's, it was official so they must have done something different.

So, look it up and check it out.