You should replace your ball joints...
- Thread starter sprockmember
- Start date
I'd be willing to bet this was more a sway bar problem/ steering rack/ bushing problem than a ball joint problem. The ball joints just turn along with the rack - a disconnected sway bar will create a lot of "give" during cornering and also at highway speed (you'll get a shake and a floaty feel).
Not that it wouldn't be a good idea to try to pinpoint some LBJ failures, but we're probably better off just saying we need to replace them every 100k miles and that's it.
(Bonus: how cool is it to drive a truck where you say - hey, just replace this every 100k miles or so, vs, hey, just replace the CAR every 100k miles or so.)
shahsmerdis
New member
mtbtim
Elite Member
Dude, not to be a jerk, but if you did a little more reading in this thread and other threads on this subject, you would already know the OVERWHELMING recommendation is OEM for LBJ on our rigs. Many that have tried to save a few bucks buying aftermarket LBJ have regretted it when they failed very quickly.
Mark_BC
Senior Member
Ouch! I was following your build too
T4R2014
Elite Member
3rd gen ball joints summed up:
Tacoma "upgrade" - stupid.
Aftermarket ball joints - crap.
Lifts - increase chance of failure.
Installing a lift? - inspect ball joints for play.
Safest bet? Stay stock if you truly want to be safe. That means no lift and P-rated tires. The majority of failures occur on lifted trucks with heavy ass tires, ultra high milers that have been neglected, or a combination of both. Yes, I know there are outliers, but this is just my conclusion based from reading forums and the opinions of various mechanics. Outside the forums, nobody really worries about ball joint failures on these more than any other vehicle.
Tacoma "upgrade" - stupid.
Aftermarket ball joints - crap.
Lifts - increase chance of failure.
Installing a lift? - inspect ball joints for play.
Safest bet? Stay stock if you truly want to be safe. That means no lift and P-rated tires. The majority of failures occur on lifted trucks with heavy ass tires, ultra high milers that have been neglected, or a combination of both. Yes, I know there are outliers, but this is just my conclusion based from reading forums and the opinions of various mechanics. Outside the forums, nobody really worries about ball joint failures on these more than any other vehicle.
shahsmerdis
New member
Um, you are probably right, but you are also playing with fire. I think the spec is 0.5mm of play? I can't remember timmy the toolman made a video. I doubt you are going to even see that with the naked eye
in other words, let me give an introduction between your cars frame and the pavement. Nice to meet you
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mtbtim
Elite Member
You were right, the spec is .5mm of play and you were also right that there's no way in hell you're going to see .5mm of play unless you're the Bionic Man. I can see the young folks scratching their heads. Who the f&*k is the Bionic Man. Guess you're going to have to Google it and understand why he could see that small amount of movement.
Knowing the history of our rigs, I wouldn't roll the dice and keep driving on LBJs with 245,000 miles, but who knows, his balljoints might outlast the major drivetrain components and the rig is junked without ever having a failure.
LittleCaesar
New member
If the OEM ball joints were $125 each like the inner tie rods I could understand a little whining. But a new pair won't even cost $200. I bought replacement ones for my 99 when they were $68 each from the dealer. The risk just is too great not to.
Steve Austin was the man no doubt. I wasn't alive for the original airing but watch all of the reruns. I met Lee Majors once. Pretty cool guy, though I liked him as Colt Seavers the most. Strange though that Lee had such a hard on for the old Pitt/Tenn football coach Johnny Majors that he changed his last night to Majors sometime in the 70s. :wtf:
JayRolla
New member
Ive seen multiple failures on the road. All of them where stock 4runners. You only hear about it on forums because we post it on the forums. When a normal person has them fail they bring it into a shop to fix it.
When I got mine towed they said they see ball joint failures every month and it usually totals the vehicle. I said do you see a lot of 4runners. He said they see lots of TOYOTA's.
ZionXIX
New member
Im surprised there isnt an aftermarket option that improves or eliminates the problems with the OEM LBJs. I mean longevity is not exactly profitable but they could charge enough for it to make up for that. Hell if they were guaranteed for a ridiculous amount for mileage and wheeling I would pay a pretty penny for that.
etc.
Member
It's a niche market.
If people would pay more attention to proper vehicle maintenance and less to lifts and big tires there wouldn't be an issue.
There is....it's getting rid of the IFS and swapping in a Solid Axle, leaves or coils is up to you
rudogg760
New member
When mine failed last week the tow truck driver knew just what do do to strap it up to toe it cause he has towed many Toyota's with busted ball joints.
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rudogg760
New member
I checked mine after seeing this thread and there was no play. Not 1,000 miles later it failed. Ill post a pic again so y'all can get scared straight lol
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sport2004
Member
Model, year and miles?I checked mine after seeing this thread and there was no play. Not 1,000 miles later it failed. Ill post a pic again so y'all can get scared straight lol
