what brand ball joints??

[KYMUDD]

DIY write ups

Is there any DIY install write ups on the LBJs on here?

 

[ifewel]

Is there any DIY install write ups on the LBJs on here?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...n-lower-ball-joints-pic-heavy.html#post452271

 

[KYMUDD]

taco

Outer Tie Rod End.

Your taco LBJ failed? Is it a 95-04 taco? If so, then it's basically the same as the 4runner one. I guess you know first hand why you want to be cautious with the LBJ quality.

Did you replace the failed lbj with Moog, or did a Moog joint fail?

As far as tips, I would buy new bolts form the dealer for pretty much everything you are replacing (don't just get grade 8's or 10's from autozone for critical chassis applications, that just isn't ok). All together they will be less than $20 and they are the stress carriers. Alot of them are not really meant to be reused (especially if they have been overtorqued by a shop, which is extremely common). I am alot more apt to buy new bolts than most guys here, so take this with a grain of salt, but I don't regret any of the money spent on new OEM bolts. Also, use loctite on them and be sure you have a torque wrench to torque everything correctly. You don't have to be exact, but it is easy to overtorque these things.

If you have some rust, then it may be difficult/impossible to separate the LBJ from the OTRE without ruining the OTRE boot.

If you replace the OTRE, mark where the ITRE nut is so you can put it back exactly where it was and not ruin your alignment. Look for videos of how to give yourself an alignment so you can at least check it when you're done.

That's about all I can think of for tips. Search here for walkthrough's too, there's plenty of info already posted here.

Hey my 96 Taco was an oem failure at 210,000 miles (not bad for oem) without any warining except about a 1/4 mile before it happened with a little play in the sterring wheel. Then bam and skidding and sparks! LOL I didnt have a clue what was going on. The garage replaced it with moog but I was iggnorant to this site at that time. I will be keeping a close eye on it for sure. How often should I replace the OTR and ITR or how to check it and make sure its ok?
Thanks

 

[Nelsonmd]

Hey my 96 Taco was an oem failure at 210,000 miles (not bad for oem) without any warining except about a 1/4 mile before it happened with a little play in the sterring wheel. Then bam and skidding and sparks! LOL I didnt have a clue what was going on. The garage replaced it with moog but I was iggnorant to this site at that time. I will be keeping a close eye on it for sure. How often should I replace the OTR and ITR or how to check it and make sure its ok?
Thanks

You can check the OTRE the same way to check the LBJ except instead of pulling on the bottom of the wheel, pull and push it side to side (like you are trying to steer by turning the wheel manually). If you have play side to side, then your OTRE is going bad. For the inner, I would just replace it when you do the OTRE, it's a little harder to diagnose; I think it just adds some play in the steering.

I think a decent rule is replacing them when you replace the LBJ's, but that might not be necessary.

 

[KYMUDD]

If i just replace LBJs do I have to get a front end aligment and if so why?
Thanks again for all the info!

 

[fish0281]

I agree with everyone on OEM LBJ's and I think NelsonMD put it really well - the quality controls are very critical for this joint.

That being said, what is the general consensus on using aftermarket for the inner/outer tie rods? I am particularly curious about the ITR's cause OEM is $127 a piece (assuming this is the correct Toyota of Dallas site: 2001 Parts - ToyotaPartSales.com) vs. $66 for Napa ones...

 

[Nelsonmd]

I agree with everyone on OEM LBJ's and I think NelsonMD put it really well - the quality controls are very critical for this joint.

That being said, what is the general consensus on using aftermarket for the inner/outer tie rods? I am particularly curious about the ITR's cause OEM is $127 a piece (assuming this is the correct Toyota of Dallas site: 2001 Parts - ToyotaPartSales.com) vs. $66 for Napa ones...

YES! I ran into the same thing, the OEM's are ridiculously expensive! I thought that must be for the pair, but Toyota of Dallas assured me it was for just 1.

Anyway, I ended up getting a $30 duralast one from autozone. It doesn't seem like as high a stress part as the LBJ or OTRE (no cantilevered-ness to it) so I wasn't as concerned.

OTRE I went OEM.

 

[jakknz]

I went with the Napa Premiums. Lifetime warranty and good parts second only to OEM.

 

[renosauce]

Why go with the Tacoma Stuff?

 

[theizzardking]

Why go with the Tacoma Stuff?

slightly beefier, and why the heck not?

I went to the parts store and compared ball joints.


The Taco ball joint is much heavier then the 4runner

The tierod mounting hole is bigger on the taco. (the 4runner is 15mm on the small end and the Taco is 18mm on the small end)
The 4 bolt flange mount is the same.
The boll joint mount (ball joint shaft) is the same on both of them
The Thickness of the ball joint mount is thicker (about 1.5mm) This could be engineered or could be a variance in the forging process.
They both have the same size dust seal.

I compared like companies with like products. It happen to be MOOG packaged parts but was made by 555 company in Japan.

They both come with mounting bolts.

The bottom line is that Taco ball joints will fit the 4runner but the outer tie rods will have to be changed too.

Will post pics as soon as they are uploaded to photobucket.

my out look on lbj brands

OEM-->napa-->raybestos or Affinia Groups like spicer ect------------>sticks tied together-----> moog

i just don't like moog even though they are made by the same company who makes some of the other ones i do like, i had a good rapport with moog back with my jeep but never seem to have been any good with their toyota stuff, if this was a domestic vehicle i wouldn't have an issue recommending moog, but the stuff i've seen or bought from them for my toyota has left something to be desired once looking at the part and the rest.

 

[renosauce]

fair enough...how about stuff from the t100?

also i agree, with my jeep moog stuff was good..as well as ford rangers...

but so far everyone says stay clear..

slightly beefier, and why the heck not?


my out look on lbj brands

OEM-->napa-->raybestos or Affinia Groups like spicer ect------------>sticks tied together-----> moog

i just don't like moog even though they are made by the same company who makes some of the other ones i do like, i had a good rapport with moog back with my jeep but never seem to have been any good with their toyota stuff, if this was a domestic vehicle i wouldn't have an issue recommending moog, but the stuff i've seen or bought from them for my toyota has left something to be desired once looking at the part and the rest.