Yet another lower balljoint thread (1 Viewer)

[ozarkmud]

'07 Sequoia with 214k miles, not sure if the lower balljoints were ever replaced, but definitely not abused or offroaded much. I checked play and visually, it looked like 2-3mm on one side and 4mm on the other.

Apparently the spec is 0.5mm? I'm way over.

How much play do you tolerate? How much is okay to drive for a couple weeks on? I feel like I'm at the limit here. Not a fan of this design at all.

I know I need to buy them, but should I be avoiding extraneous trips or am I probably going to be fine until the LBJs come in? They aren't squeaking yet. I almost wonder if gravel roads, with all the dust, help let you know about LBJ failures earlier, if the dust helps make them squeak when there's play...

Also, is it worth subjecting a first gen Tacoma / 3rd gen 4Runner / 1st gen Sequoia/Tundra to gravel roads daily, or better to get into something that doesn't have the design issue?

 

[jjw18e]

I don't chime in much on this forum but I was a victim of a failed Lower Ball Joint (LBJ) and I had a little play but nothing that really stuck out symptomatically speaking. I was about 300 meters from exiting the post gate and hitting the on-ramp on I-5 and feel lucky that I was only going in excess of 25 MPH. I couldn't get out my driver's side door when it happened and literally had to drag it onto a flatbed tow truck with a 2 x 6 under what was left of my control arm. Insurance paid for it but damn I sure a hell wouldn't to do it again. I have my LBJ checked every time I see a friend of mine at the dealer. Paranoid, a little. Go with your intuition and if possible, ride a bike till you can get those replaced.

 

[ozarkmud]

I don't chime in much on this forum but I was a victim of a failed Lower Ball Joint (LBJ) and I had a little play but nothing that really stuck out symptomatically speaking. I was about 300 meters from exiting the post gate and hitting the on-ramp on I-5 and feel lucky that I was only going in excess of 25 MPH. I couldn't get out my driver's side door when it happened and literally had to drag it onto a flatbed tow truck with a 2 x 6 under what was left of my control arm. Insurance paid for it but damn I sure a hell wouldn't to do it again. I have my LBJ checked every time I see a friend of mine at the dealer. Paranoid, a little. Go with your intuition and if possible, ride a bike till you can get those replaced.

That's rough. I'm sorry to hear that. I'm feeling like I shouldn't do anything more than a trip into town to get parts, if I have to. Appreciate you chiming in. Part of me wants to ignore it, and part of me knows it's risky and needs to get done as soon as possible. My 3rd gen 4Runner started squeaking. I replaced them as soon as I could and thankfully they didn't go out.

Do you have any suggestions on where to get the ball joints? The "local" dealer (over an hour away) is charging $183 per. Even if I picked it up from them, assuming they have them in stock, without shipping still more money than having it shipped. McGeorge Toyota is charging $122 per, but estimates almost $40 shipping. Definitely the cheapest option so far, but they're also on the east coast and I'm in the PNW. Getting it up here or from California should be faster.

 

[Jgrauman]

That's rough. I'm sorry to hear that. I'm feeling like I shouldn't do anything more than a trip into town to get parts, if I have to. Appreciate you chiming in. Part of me wants to ignore it, and part of me knows it's risky and needs to get done as soon as possible. My 3rd gen 4Runner started squeaking. I replaced them as soon as I could and thankfully they didn't go out.

Do you have any suggestions on where to get the ball joints? The "local" dealer (over an hour away) is charging $183 per. Even if I picked it up from them, assuming they have them in stock, without shipping still more money than having it shipped. McGeorge Toyota is charging $122 per, but estimates almost $40 shipping. Definitely the cheapest option so far, but they're also on the east coast and I'm in the PNW. Getting it up here or from California should be faster.

Mcgeorge or Toyotapartsdeal.com about the only place I buy my parts. Got my lowers from mcgeorge. It's an easy job.

 

[AmericanKing]

Find Joe Joe on Sequoia FB page. He's a great source for OEM parts. I just got my ball joints in the mail this week.

 

[jjw18e]

That's rough. I'm sorry to hear that. I'm feeling like I shouldn't do anything more than a trip into town to get parts, if I have to. Appreciate you chiming in. Part of me wants to ignore it, and part of me knows it's risky and needs to get done as soon as possible. My 3rd gen 4Runner started squeaking. I replaced them as soon as I could and thankfully they didn't go out.

Do you have any suggestions on where to get the ball joints? The "local" dealer (over an hour away) is charging $183 per. Even if I picked it up from them, assuming they have them in stock, without shipping still more money than having it shipped. McGeorge Toyota is charging $122 per, but estimates almost $40 shipping. Definitely the cheapest option so far, but they're also on the east coast and I'm in the PNW. Getting it up here or from California should be faster.

Are you close to Tacoma? I've got a great relationship with the Toyota dealer here. Before anyone lights me up about the dealership, I know and would never send a soul to the dealer, but I have a working relationship with the one individual that wasn't sent by the devil.

 

[ozarkmud]

Are you close to Tacoma? I've got a great relationship with the Toyota dealer here. Before anyone lights me up about the dealership, I know and would never send a soul to the dealer, but I have a working relationship with the one individual that wasn't sent by the devil.

I appreciate that! I'm not. I'm in North Idaho. I called around at local dealerships and all are charging the full MSRP on parts. I'll probably do toyotapartsdeal.com, which is in California so should be faster shipping. Slightly more money than McGeorge, but lower shipping price.

 

[AmericanKing]

I appreciate that! I'm not. I'm in North Idaho. I called around at local dealerships and all are charging the full MSRP on parts. I'll probably do toyotapartsdeal.com, which is in California so should be faster shipping. Slightly more money than McGeorge, but lower shipping price.

Joejoe offer free Shipping.

 

[ozarkmud]

Joejoe offer free Shipping.

I'm not on Facebook, unfortunately otherwise I'd definitely contact him.

 

[AmericanKing]

Let me see if I can get it for you...

 

[AmericanKing]

He can be contacted at 951-484-6381

 

[greenmonster07]

I just replaced mine last weekend with the MOOG K80521/22 (made in Japan). The design is much better than say GM and replaced them in 20 mins per side. just unbolt 4 bolts and the ball joint and you're good.

 

[ozarkmud]

He can be contacted at 951-484-6381

He's awesome! Thank you so much. Ordered a set from him. Great price.

 

[AmericanKing]

I just replaced mine last weekend with the MOOG K80521/22 (made in Japan). The design is much better than say GM and replaced them in 20 mins per side. just unbolt 4 bolts and the ball joint and you're good.

Might want to look up this recall for those parts (Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22E-002)

 

[AmericanKing]

He's awesome! Thank you so much. Ordered a set from him. Great price.

Glad I could help!

 

[Gazziza]

'07 Sequoia with 214k miles, not sure if the lower balljoints were ever replaced, but definitely not abused or offroaded much. I checked play and visually, it looked like 2-3mm on one side and 4mm on the other.

Apparently the spec is 0.5mm? I'm way over.

How much play do you tolerate? How much is okay to drive for a couple weeks on? I feel like I'm at the limit here. Not a fan of this design at all.

I know I need to buy them, but should I be avoiding extraneous trips or am I probably going to be fine until the LBJs come in? They aren't squeaking yet. I almost wonder if gravel roads, with all the dust, help let you know about LBJ failures earlier, if the dust helps make them squeak when there's play...

Also, is it worth subjecting a first gen Tacoma / 3rd gen 4Runner / 1st gen Sequoia/Tundra to gravel roads daily, or better to get into something that doesn't have the design issue?

Looks like you already got a set of from joe joe so that's good. But personally I wouldn't drive that thing another mile until you replace the LBJ. Someone reported that it even failed on them while just parked in their driveway.

I won't say that the LBJ issue is "overblown" because it can actually be something that can cause catastrophic injury but I'd say that it's something that should now be considered a maintenance item every 50k for any truck with that LBJ design. However there have been countless first gen Tacoma's, 3rd gen 4R's and 1GT that goto Baja and come back in one piece that I would not hesitate to drive the truck daily on a dirt road. I'd carry an extra set of LBJ's inside the truck just in case. Can be aftermarket but just something to get you home...that is unless it also took out your tie rod, LCA, and CV axle...

 

[ozarkmud]

Might 4Runner LBJs fit? Part number 43340-39465 is one of them. It says online that they do not. The boot around the balljoint is definitely different. Not sure if it's close enough, or no way.

 

[tlhfirelion]

'07 Sequoia with 214k miles, not sure if the lower balljoints were ever replaced, but definitely not abused or offroaded much. I checked play and visually, it looked like 2-3mm on one side and 4mm on the other.

Apparently the spec is 0.5mm? I'm way over.

How much play do you tolerate? How much is okay to drive for a couple weeks on? I feel like I'm at the limit here. Not a fan of this design at all.

I know I need to buy them, but should I be avoiding extraneous trips or am I probably going to be fine until the LBJs come in? They aren't squeaking yet. I almost wonder if gravel roads, with all the dust, help let you know about LBJ failures earlier, if the dust helps make them squeak when there's play...

Also, is it worth subjecting a first gen Tacoma / 3rd gen 4Runner / 1st gen Sequoia/Tundra to gravel roads daily, or better to get into something that doesn't have the design issue?

I hate to hijack a thread but my comment is related to the LBJ issue. I am replacing my LBJ on my 01 sequoia with OEM. While I know OEM parts are ideal, is it as imperative that they be used for outer tie rods, sway bar links, etc? I wasnt sure if other parts surrounding the LBJ on these first Gen sequoias were also problematic. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[ozarkmud]

I hate to hijack a thread but my comment is related to the LBJ issue. I am replacing my LBJ on my 01 sequoia with OEM. While I know OEM parts are ideal, is it as imperative that they be used for outer tie rods, sway bar links, etc? I wasnt sure if other parts surrounding the LBJ on these first Gen sequoias were also problematic. Thanks in advance for the help.

I don't think the issue with the LBJ, or likely other ball joints on the Sequoia is a quality one. The LBJ fails catastrophically by design (maybe not intent) and possibly wears faster because it's always under tension instead of compression.

While I would encourage OEM ball joints all around, if you had to do OEM for only one set, the LBJ should undoubtedly be that set. OEM parts are definitely more affordable through say McGeorge or Joejoe, though, which may help with the budget.

 

[tlhfirelion]

I don't think the issue with the LBJ, or likely other ball joints on the Sequoia is a quality one. The LBJ fails catastrophically by design (maybe not intent) and possibly wears faster because it's always under tension instead of compression.

While I would encourage OEM ball joints all around, if you had to do OEM for only one set, the LBJ should undoubtedly be that set. OEM parts are definitely more affordable through say McGeorge or Joejoe, though, which may help with the budget.

Awesome, thanks for the reply.