Is this a common failure?

[LecheFidelis]

Good morning all,

1997 LX 450 185k miles
Bought this vehicle in 2023 with 150k miles since purchase I did a lot of baselining items that are cooling system related but the only suspension parts I replaced where the sagging springs and leaking shocks with OME stock height + tokico. I have been driving it a lot for work lately and decided last weekend to take it along with a few friends up to Nashville from Pensacola Florida. Drive up there went well, everything was normal. The next day I drive it to a local park, pull into a parking spot. We get out, go for a hike, when we come back, I get in the car, back it up out of the spot, turn to the right, hear a loud thump and lose all steering. Tie rod snapped right off. Took a look here on the forum and didn't see anything like this. Everyone appeared to have had tie rod failures only while trying to remove them or from a car accident. My question is why did this happen and why were there no symptoms? I did a tire rotation at 181k and found no play in the wheels when I did the usual 9 and 3 o clock wiggle of the wheels. Experienced no abnormal play in the steering leading up to that. Had the usual vibrations above 70mph but so does everyone right? Feeling stupid I didn't catch this earlier and just wondering if some other underlying issue caused this. As you can see in the photo the boot is likely ripped slightly but I have seen and driven on worse for much longer. Tried fixing it in the parking lot but needed a torch to get the old one off and didn't have it with me and there were no shops in the area working on Labor Day weekend. Had it towed to a gentleman that was recommended on ih8mud in the Nashville area where I am waiting to hear from him. Had to leave it up there and fly home for work.

 

[Mark W]

Vibrations above 70 are not a given. Not at all.

Your TRE failure is not a common thing.

The vibrations*may* have a causational connection to the failure

What do the surfaces of the break look like? Mainly sharp crisp crystalline still or is part (or even most) of the surface rubbed/peened smoth? Smooth surfaces indicate that the failure was a crack that grew and spread over time. *IF* it is ALL crystalline then it was a sudden immediate (or damn close to immediate) failure.

Mark...

 

[efjayatee]

I have no vibration at any speed with all 3 of mine.....and that's including 85mph.

That tie rod probably original. Doesn't matter of the mileage, its still 30yr old. I replaced mine when I did the suspension lifts.

 

[Mark W]

I have no vibration at any speed with all 3 of mine.....and that's including 85mph.

That tie rod probably original. Doesn't matter of the mileage, its still 30yr old. I replaced mine when I did the suspension lifts.

Yep, I have three FZJs at the moment. 3 other FZJs in the past and a couple of FJ80s too. The only time any of them had vibrations was due to tire issues or suspension/steering issues.

Talking about tire/steering "vibrations" here. Drive train vibrations are another subject entirely.


Mark...

 

[LecheFidelis]

OK thanks for the replies. Hoping to get the vehicle back in a week or 2. Ill keep the thread posted when I know more. I don't recall what the break looked like other than I remember saying that it looked like it cleanly sheared off. Spent the rest of the day that day using whatever tools I had in my trunk to remove the drag link and try to put in a duralast tie rod just to get home but failed to remove the broken one. I have reason to believe that the tie rod may have been aftermarket as the castle nut was a 22mm.

 

[mudgudgeon]

a lot of baselining items that are cooling system related but the only suspension parts I replaced where the sagging springs and leaking shocks with OME stock height + tokico

Sounds like you got off to a good start, but got complacent

Had the usual vibrations above 70mph but so does everyone right?

Nope, not if you take care of the baselining fully.
Mine have all had varying levels of loose steering, death wobbles, and vibrations until I refreshed the front axles, steering, suspension. The improvement can be dramatic

If you were experiencing vibrations and snoozed on investigating and addressing it, you rolled the dice, and got extremely lucky your failure manifested in a parking lot.

Feeling stupid I didn't catch this earlier and just wondering if some other underlying issue caused this

Underlying cause? Deferred PM, by you and PO.
A sheared of tie rod is not common, but sounds like the vibrations were a clue things should be looked at.

FWIW, I don't think a 9-3 wiggle gives enough indication of wear in the steering to be trusted. Have a helper turn the steering wheel back and forth, engine off, wheels on the ground, while you watch all joints from under the truck

It's easy to be wise from a distance, but
replacing all wear components in the steering and suspension should be part of your baselining of a 30year old vehicle as early as you can get to it.
Steering & suspension is a critical safety system along with brakes.
Cooling system failure can be inconvenient, though not often life threatening. Priorities man!.

Time and money play a part, but realistically almost none of these vehicles have a reliably documented service history you can trust.
unknown maintenance history, unknown parts quality. Etc

 

[LecheFidelis]

Sounds like you got off to a good start, but got complacent


Nope, not if you take care of the baselining fully.
Mine have all had varying levels of loose steering, death wobbles, and vibrations until I refreshed the front axles, steering, suspension. The improvement can be dramatic

If you were experiencing vibrations and snoozed on investigating and addressing it, you rolled the dice, and got extremely lucky your failure manifested in a parking lot.


Underlying cause? Deferred PM, by you and PO.
A sheared of tie rod is not common, but sounds like the vibrations were a clue things should be looked at.

FWIW, I don't think a 9-3 wiggle gives enough indication of wear in the steering to be trusted. Have a helper turn the steering wheel back and forth, engine off, wheels on the ground, while you watch all joints from under the truck

It's easy to be wise from a distance, but
replacing all wear components in the steering and suspension should be part of your baselining of a 30year old vehicle as early as you can get to it.
Steering & suspension is a critical safety system along with brakes.
Cooling system failure can be inconvenient, though not often life threatening. Priorities man!.

Time and money play a part, but realistically almost none of these vehicles have a reliably documented service history you can trust.
unknown maintenance history, unknown parts quality. Etc

User error/negligence, the truth I needed to hear. Yea im blessed it happened at slow speed. Appreciate your advice. Lesson learned.

 

[Broski]

That not a common problem/issue.
Turning the wheels in a parking spot while not moving puts more stress/ pressure on the steering components then any other time.

 

[lumbee1]

Here's what you need to fix it properly.

Tie Rod End Kit - Fits 1990-97 80 Series & 1998+ 105 Series LHD Land Cruisers (TRE69095)

Tie Rod End Kit - Fits 1990-97 80 Series & 1998+ 105 Series LHD Land Cruisers (TRE69095)

cruiserteq.com

 

[efjayatee]

I use Sankei 555 tie rods on all my 80s