Ball joint failure advice

Well, i was driving down the road the other day when the driver side lower BJ decided to give on me. I didn’t notice at first but it appears that something happened to the cv axel in the process. I was wondering if someone could give me some advice on doing this job? Since the BJ is broken, everything moves when I try to wrench it and I’m not sure how to hold it still. Also is the CV damaged or can I pop it back in? I’m not a mechanic by any means. And yes I know everything is covered in rust/ undercoat. Previous owner was trying to hide it. Any advice on how to do this is greatly appreciated

 

A few things.

1. Bummer, sorry you had this happen.

2. When you replace the LBJ, do yourself a favor and replace the passenger side as well. And use OEM LBJs so you know you're putting in something quality. Order these parts: L (driver): 43340-39585; R (passenger): 43330-39815

3. Use this write-up Installing new Lower Ball Joints (LBJ's) to see what you need to do. I'd recommend purchasing the tools listed there since they are good to have for a lot of work on our trucks, but you can likely rent them from a parts store as well. when you're trying to get the castle nut off of the bottom of the ball joint where it's secured to the LCA, just use a pair of vice grips on the top and an impact wrench (24mm socket I believe) on the bottom castle nut. Don't forget to remove the cotter pin first so the nut can spin off.

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1st off ball joints don't usually just fail without a warning (vibrating, clunking, steering problems, etc) so I would 100% replace both sides because your other side is probably ready to pop.

Now as far as fixing things, get TOYOTA ball joints. If you absolutely cannot afford them then get Moog Problem Solvers (closest to OEM quality as possible). Your CV axle is probably okay so long as the boot isn't torn, but depending on how many miles are on them I might just go ahead and replace both of them. Looking at the pictures it appears your knuckle has bent and your upper ball joints are cracked. I would replace the knuckle on the drivers side and the ball joints on both sides. To get the bottom joint off I would see if a good pair of vice grips can hold the ball or you can get the old grinder out and cut it. I would replace everything on both sides and call it a day!

It sucks this happens on these trucks (I've personally seen 3 on the side of the road) and I am sorry this happend to you. Nothing is unfixable!

 

Fortunately, a lot of people are here to help so don't fret!

Lots of great advice to be had.

While you're in there; your tie rod ends, sway bar end links, and suspension need some help (replacing) by the looks of things.

If you're not holding alignment, I'd look into replacing your lower control arm bushings and cam bolts since you're working on the front end anyway.

Worst thing you can do is take apart the front end multiple times for each individual job; knock it all out at once I say.

 

I agree the spindle looks bent from what I can tell in the picture and there's no way I'd trust that upper BJ after what it just went through.

I do wonder with these incidents if you had kept a watch on the dust boot of the BJ that it was intact or if all these failures are a result of dirt on the ball wearing away the socket?

 

Landon, how many miles on your truck? Also, are those the original ball joints?
Hope you get all sorted out.

 

Oh yeah I planned to change all 4 of them. I’m ordering the OEM ones today actually, I was just gonna go ahead and get started pulling out the old ones. Thank you for the advice and link to that write up, checking it out rn

 

190,000. I just bought it about 3 weeks ago so I’m not sure

 

I just got the truck about 3 weeks ago. I noticed a slight clunking under the driver side but nothing crazy. It was very slight and sure enough this happened the other day.

 

I’m going OEM on the ball joints. Should I also go oem on the rest of these parts? If so what’s the best place to get them from?

 

Thank you. I planned on changing all the other ball joints as well. I’m just having a tough time getting the first one off. Someone undercoated the truck prior to me ON TOP of rust, so all the bolts are a real pain in the A**. I’m going to look into getting a new knuckle. I just bought this thing a few weeks back and it’s not looking too hot so far.

 

I feel that man, rust is the worst! I would highly recommend a grinder with a cutting wheel if you absolutely cannot get a grip on that ball. Also I would definitely go through the truck thoroughly. Undercoat on everything is usually a huge warning sign. If they undercoated over rust who knows what they were trying to hide...

 

Dang, I am sorry to hear about this! It is never fun dealing with damage on a semi new (to you) truck! There is lots of good advice in here, couple things to add.

1. Check out Timmy the Toolmans 4runner YouTube channel, he has saved me PLENTY of money and the videos are usually very high quality: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9EMiD9KPy61kJ6hdXcbjxA.

2. Check out Camelback Toyota for great pricing on OEM parts, usually very fast shipping and their customer service is awesome!: https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/.

Let us know how you fare and if we can help!

 

Hey, also in that first pic your lower spring seat looks pretty rusted. I have seen those give way and break off the side of the shock. You may want to evaluate it pretty good and replace if it looks like it might fail. That shock looks pretty old, so may time anyway.

 

Where do you live any help close at hand ??

If only for moral support?

If you have any plans to go to a solid front axle now might be the time.

Find some one that just did one and has all the parts to get rid of .

Sometimes it is hard to make a call about just what is Fubar and needs replaced unless your up close and in person

 

I live in NC, I don't have plans to go to a solid axle. I really don't have the money or resources to at the moment. I'm not mechanically inclined by any means and I spent maybe 3 hours messing with it today with no real results. I think i'm going to have to take this thing to a shop to replace it. The OEM balljoints costed me $330 shipped which is kinda putting me in a bind.

 

@PBNCLB, what part of NC? I am in Pinehurst are and always willing to lend a hand.

Join Carolina 4runners Offroad group on FB. Lots of us are spread across NC/SC and VA. I am sure someone will be willing to help.

 

The best replacement part is moog

 

Moog might be the best aftermarket replacement part but they don't make a better quality version than Toyota does.

 

Yeah, that’s not true. Moogs are adequate, but hardly the best.

Moog takes a distant 3rd to ORM and 555.

Ironically, 555 makes both the OEM and Moog (at least some of them) but they are all from different production lines.