555 lower ball joint boot torn in 500 miles. (3 Viewers)

[LC CT]

I've got 50k miles on all 4 new 555 joints, no issues. Sounds like an install issue or random road debris.

This is what I’m seeing, and actually I had an 03 LC I had these done in years ago. I sold it to a friend who’s still driving it and no issues. I want to say it was install error. Truck hasn’t been driven enough for any debris lol. Things is a driveway ornament at this point.

 

[bgolf247]

Both of my 555 LBJ boots are torn. Installed by me maybe 10-12K miles ago. I have two new OEM boots to install, but yeah its a little bit of a pain since you have to do so much work to get to them. Wish I would've noticed when I did my bearings about a month ago.

 

[LC CT]

Both of my 555 LBJ boots are torn. Installed by me maybe 10-12K miles ago. I have two new OEM boots to install, but yeah its a little bit of a pain since you have to do so much work to get to them. Wish I would've noticed when I did my bearings about a month ago.

Did you install boot off or boot on?

 

[bgolf247]

Did you install boot off or boot on?

I don't recall. I can't remember if it was uppers or lowers but one set had to be done off.

 

[DuckLN]

I installed them myself using an appropriate ball joint press and followed oem torque specs during a covid project that included upper control arm bushings, upper ball joints, new cv boots, bearing rotors and pads (and lower ball joints). I’m a decent home garage mechanic and consider myself more than capable of ball joint replacement but I suppose i’m not perfect (don’t tell my wife I admitted this!)

The mistake I did make was not immediately removing the 555 lbj when it went in farther than it should have. I should have been smart enough to recognize the issue and found a solution.

Now i get to do it again!

 

[LC CT]

I installed them myself using an appropriate ball joint press and followed oem torque specs during a covid project that included upper control arm bushings, upper ball joints, new cv boots, bearing rotors and pads (and lower ball joints). I’m a decent home garage mechanic and consider myself more than capable of ball joint replacement but I suppose i’m not perfect (don’t tell my wife I admitted this!)

The mistake I did make was not immediately removing the 555 lbj when it went in farther than it should have. I should have been smart enough to recognize the issue and found a solution.

Now i get to do it again!

So how much lower did you press it down? I’m wondering what it looks like compared to mine, any pics?

 

[medtro]

I had good luck popping mine off with the OTC 6295 Front End Service Set and using one of the ball joint tools. Might be able to get a rental tool at the local autoparts store that would work. I tried that route first, but the rental didn't have the correct dimensions to work. I saw this kit in someone else's post and I took a gamble and it worked well.

What did you use to install the ball joint?

 

[awesomeissquid]

What did you use to install the ball joint?

I used a combo of the attachments in the Powerbuilt 648617 and Evertough 67045 with the Harbor Freight 20T Press.

 

[DuckLN]

Great. Another 555 lbj boot failure.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Great. Another 555 lbj boot failure.
View attachment 3022068

Mileage? Installed with boot on or off?

FWIW, I’ve installed a lot of 555 BJs and TREs on Toyota 4x4s (40, 60, 80, and 100 Cruisers, pickups/Tacomas, and 4Runners), and have yet to have one rip like this.

 

[Asanka]

Are boots available separately as a replacement part?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Call Cruiser Outfitters, they'd know.

 

[Asanka]

Cruiser outfitters does not sell 555 boots separately. Hopefully OEM boots fit 555 ball joints.

 

[Landman2000]

Ok. This is a good plan. I believe I sourced another 555 locally I can just take the boot off that worst case. Is there any trick to removing the boot or does it just slide on and off? I’ll see if I can try that Toyota boot kit also as a cheaper alternative. Thanks for the info

I recently installed new 555 ball joints and put a little hole in the boot using a pick tool to remove the spring that retains the boot. Happened to check a week or so ago and the hole had opened up to an inch or so. I bought another 555 ball joint and took the boot from it. I bet an OEM boot would work as well. Live and learn.