mtbtim
Elite Member
I've got a pretty good sense of humor so the Dude is going have to work a little harder on his standup.
You should replace your ball joints...
- Thread starter sprockmember
- Start date
I've got a pretty good sense of humor so the Dude is going have to work a little harder on his standup.
RS Dude
Member
Now I'll get death threats from the Amzoil cultists:whipping2
Check you PM :boxer:
Should I change my lower ball joint?
Video was taken at Eagle Automotive in Ottawa/Canada. I showed the video to Orleans Toyota and the original dealer in northern Montreal and they both said that the play is normal. What frustrates me is that the Orleans dealer said NO FREE PLAY, which is totally incorrect because there IS play.
Video was taken at Eagle Automotive in Ottawa/Canada. I showed the video to Orleans Toyota and the original dealer in northern Montreal and they both said that the play is normal. What frustrates me is that the Orleans dealer said NO FREE PLAY, which is totally incorrect because there IS play.
SpidermanGeek
New member
There is a tolerance of movement, but it is very small. Not sure if yours is within or not, but to anyone on this board.. it needs to be NO movement at all. These ball joints are a poor design. It's not that they're weak or prone to failing.. it's just that when they go, they just f'n GO. So to side on the err of caution, you should replace them as soon as you see any movement whatsoever.
mtbtim
Elite Member
The people at that dealership are smoking crack. It doesn't even take a trained eye to see there is independent up and down movement in the joint. The joint naturally rolls in the socket but there shouldn't be up and down movement. Up and down movement is a dead giveaway there's play in the joint to allow for the ball to move up and down in the socket.
And, since the FSM says .5mm is an acceptable amount of movement, pretty much any movement you see is way too much. No way in hell are you going to see .5mm movement. You'd need a special dial gauge to read that and who has one of those in their toolbox. I just decided to change mine as preventative maintenance knowing there's pretty much no way to 100% tell your balljoints are good unless you have one of those special tools to take a reading.
Change both balljoints before you have a catastrophic failure and damage your rig and possibly get in an accident and injure yourself and any passengers.
threadlessclimber
New member
![DSCN0160[1].jpg](https://www.toyota-4runner.org/data/attachments/182/182659-4fef795b00078d473bcc0e2c6a85c118.jpg?hash=DW3oHjNYKA "DSCN0160[1].jpg")
![DSCN0160[1].jpg](/data/attachments/182/182659-4fef795b00078d473bcc0e2c6a85c118.jpg?hash=DW3oHjNYKA)
diverscale
Member
Whatever happens, you definitely have to change this ball joint, even if you have to pay for it or do it yourself. You don't want that to fail. Tell yourself this is regular maintenance, like changing oil or a alternator strap. Mine, after 200K miles, had no play at all, your seems to be on the verge of failing. This is in the top 2 items to replace on this generation of 4runner with the radiator (pink milkshake) if you want to keep that vehicle.
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MATTPENN21
New member
LBJ Cost/Manufacturer?
Hi guys,
So I just purchased an 02 4runner with 175k on it. It had the recall done to it at around 35K. I figured I should have it done again. I was able to find a friend of a friend who can replace the LBJ for $150. I was wondering if this is a good price and what the cost of the actual parts are? I've read somewhere to only use OEM?
Thanks for any help!
Hi guys,
So I just purchased an 02 4runner with 175k on it. It had the recall done to it at around 35K. I figured I should have it done again. I was able to find a friend of a friend who can replace the LBJ for $150. I was wondering if this is a good price and what the cost of the actual parts are? I've read somewhere to only use OEM?
Thanks for any help!
rudogg760
New member
ONLY USE OEM. that is a critical component that could damage a lot more if it fails. i had mine fail on friday, its horrible. google camelback toyota parts. theyre $90 each shipped.
Hepar
New member
Only go OEM. My replacements didn't come with new bolts and I wanted to replace those too. The part # for the bolts is 90105-10505.
$150 isn't too bad. But it's a pretty simple job with a basic set of tools. You will want a torque wrench and a balljoint separator though. You can usually rent those for free from your local parts store.
frodiesel
New member
Only use oem. You can source them local dealer or buy them way cheaper at toyota of dallas online or various other sites. it is a very easy repair, just get new bolts as well, some use locktite blue on the bolts but i did not.
fourfive
Senior Member
Unless I have it written down wrong, I have the 4 LBJ bolts as...
96-2000: bolt with flange 90080-10066
2001-2001: bolt with washer 90119-10933
Hepar
New member
fourfive
Senior Member
Bummer to hear. Any symptoms or changes in handling leading up to the incident? Any recent suspension work?
rudogg760
New member
the 4runner has about 290,000 miles on it. i put a 3 inch lift on it about 6,000 miles ago. this holloween i went to truckhaven and went through some pretty technical stuff. broke a sway bar end link. it was steering kinda funny, like i would turn and it would want to keep steering in that direction, usually it would want to go back to center after a turn. i thought it may be bcuase the sway bar wasnt connected anymore.
