Lower Ball Joint Replacement Questions?

Even though I just got new lower ball joints with my frame replacement they are both completely dry and loose as hell.

So replacing them with Moog greasable versions.

2 questions:

Do I need to keep that rectangular rubber boot on there that is held on with the 4 bolts??

Ever since replacing my CV's I have found those 4 bolts that hold the ball joint to the spindle never stay torqued?? Even with thread locker. Why not use long bolts and put a lock washer and nut on the top??

 

Well I discovered at least one of my bolts is stripped and won't tighten...

Now What??

Find a replacement spindle? Chase the threads? Gotta remove the whole spindle for that job anyhow?

 

If you have one thats stripped, along with the loosening of others (keep coming loose) You probably oughtta take them all out & chase the threads or re tap w/new hardware...

 

I figured exactly the same...

I might just look for a set of spindles at a yard see if they are any better than mine...for roughly $50/each not worth all the work.

 

Yeah, if you can get some out of wrecking yard for cheap I'd do the same thing, good luck ..

 

Now to figure out how similar Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, and Sequoia spindles are?

Anyone have any idea if they are all direct replacements?

 

I would call and ask the toyota junkyards like yotayard.com.

It seems like tacomas don't just go to regular junkyards. There are many specialty yards that buy them.

 

Haha, if I were someplace remotely close to them...Got any idea what a spindle and hub weighs?? Each has to be close to 40lbs!

 

I had one of my LBJ bolts fall out. It turns out the threads in the spindle for that bolt was stripped. I ordered a helicoil kit from McMaster-Carr, installed and all is fine now. I thought about a nut on top, but it seemed too close to the outer axle boot, I was concerned about contact during active travel, so decided against it.

 

Keep an eye on that helicoil

 

I had both of mine off earlier that year to have the upper bjs pressed out and new ones pressed in. I think 40# is too high, more like 20# each with bearing hub and dist shield attached.

I have seen this done. It makes the most sense and is not all that hard or expensive. The hard part is in getting the spindle/knuckle off and you have to do that no matter what.

 

If you do get spindles try to get ones that have the ABS sensors still in them (if they're from a junkyard). I put new spindles on my truck and had to buy new sensors at about $170 apiece because the old ones were so frozen into my old spindles.