lBJ bolt threads stripped, now what?

Yeah, that's the problem, with the stock bolts on the outter (close to wheel), there were only a couple threads engaged = too short.

 

When I wrote that I had a brand new 'flanged' bolt I got from Zane @Speedytech7 which he got with his LBJs from Camelback Toyota. Afterwards I started thinking about what you wrote. So I went and grabbed my old stock bolts I have in my OSK and measured those. These bolts are not the flanged type. They have a washer instead. They are 38 mm or just about 1.5" long. Almost a 1/4" longer. WTF.

 

Hmm that is weird, maybe the LBJ surface thickness has changed through the years too. Mine came with bolt and washer originally too.

 

I know, right?!

I can't say with 100% certainty, but I can only imagine the factory bjs were like that. 6 years ago I put some moog bjs on, and didn't think about the lengths aside from noting there were all the same length. Then, stripping out a bolt this time around I put a little more research into it, where I found some mension of two different sized bolts.

You look at the bolt holes, and there is plenty of room for a longer bolt, I used 40mm bolts. I took a bolt and threaded it all the way down, and measured the difference between the thickness of the bj and the bolt sticking out, it was with a mm so I added a washer to those bolts when I assembled it just to be sure.

I found the grade 10.9 flange bolts at Ace hardware (identical to oem). They have a MUCH wider bolt selection than any auto parts store I've been to.

 

Hmmmm.. Interesting about your original bolts. I wonder how long they were.

In all honesty, I have no way of being certain the bolts I have in my OSK are originals because my truck was eligible for the LBJ recall so a Toyota dealership may have replaced them at that time.

 

I don't remember any lbj I've ever gotten coming with bolts. I know my current ones didn't.

I would *hope* that if the flange is a different thickness than oem, they'd include bolts.

 

I think the LBJ part number for the early trucks ('95-'97) is different from mine ('02). The flange area where the LBJ mounts to the spindle might be different. Or for that matter, the spindles may be different.

 

Live and learn, I guess...

 

Just wanted to throw this in here- the Toyota OEM LBJ's come with a set of bolts (not sure the length they aren't near me right now) AND the FSM calls these bolts one-time-use, so you should be replacing every time you remove them. I've pulled them before where they were pretty trashed, and also where they looked brand new.
Also, blue threadlocker when you reinstall.

 

Yeah, did the thread lock for sure. I think with he longer bolts on the outter holes, threadlock, and torque to spec, I should be good for a good long time... will probably throw in a new set every 3rd or 4th year to be safe. My moogs were showing their age when I took them out(after 6 years).

 

This is what I got for EOM part number (for left LBJ my 95 Tacoma 4x4 ext cab)

$195 43340-39585 Toyota Ball Joint - 43340-39585

43340-39585. It comes a a set the ball joint assembly and a bag of 4 bolts, one cotter pin and one castle nut:




All four bolts are flange type length 31.5 ((or so) - all threaded

The "thread engaged" part is about 15.5 mm long - that is more than enough for full shear strength.

 

When I put my oe bolts in the other day, I measured the amount that the bolt was sticking up (before threading it in) and it was maybe 5mm on the outboard side, and 15 or so on the inboard side. Clearly the flange on my BJs is significantly thicker on the outboard side than the bolts are intended for...

I remember comparing the size/shape of the moog ones I pulled of 6 years ago, and didn't notice any major differences, but I don't think I took a bunch of measurements, either...

Bummer the BJs didn't come with bolts, but I guess that's one of the areas they cut costs...

What did those OE BJ's cost? if you don't mind me asking...

 

They are around 105 dollars a piece in various on-line places. I got my from TRD Parts, other place good to buy from is camelback Toyota. MSRP is about 150 if I remember correctly.

 

Yep gunny at camelback makes ordering oe parts quick and simple. ships quickly too.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/gunny-is-back.476544/
Heres the prices he quoted for mine with bolts.

$206 43330-39556 Toyota Ball Joint - 43330-39556

43330-39556 $105.42

$136 43340-39436 Toyota Ball Joint - 43340-39436

43340-39436 $84.44
90119-10933 $10.00 (8 bolts)
He's in phoenix so shipping shouldnt take long to cali. (However, he doesnt package them all that great. Just threw it all in loose in an oversized box.)


Question for you guys though.. Thoughts on using red loctite? Pretty sure thats what got used on mine this last time. Should i be worried when it comes time to replace them again in the future?

 

Use Blue, not Red. Red is "permanent" possibly to undo when heated to 500F otherwise you may not be able to undo them. There is no need to "lock" them forever. Blue has enough strength to prevent from loosening up in normal work but possible to undo with breaker bar.

 

Red loctite is just thicker, and may require heat to remove.

I used blue, but I don't think it would hurt too much to use the red. It'll just cause more resistance when removing them, which isn't a bad thing, really...

judging by what others are saying, you might have some trouble with the red...

 

Toyota says blue loctite. Red is too strong for those small bolts, and you can't really use heat down there without cooking components.

I will say I paint pen mine and check them at oil changes to make sure they don't back out...

 

I have to agree with the packaging. I ordered exactly what you ordered plus 5 OE oil filters for $3.56 a piece & 2 OE air filters for $15.21 a piece. When I got the box of stuff, one of the oil filters was crushed because they set the LBJ's on top of one of the oil filters. Who does that? Could've easily shipped 2 boxes. Trying to save on money I guess. Ehich didn't workout in the long run! But he made up for it and immediately sent out 2 more oil filters for my trouble. He's the salesman. But he did say he'd go back there and make sure it didn't happen again. Which is what a good salesman should do. Sounds like he's a busy man. Also sounds like the packaging is still sub par.

 

Great. This whole predicament im in with letting that "mechanic" work on my truck is turning into a shit show.. Sigh.

 

Red gives fits when it's on a screw. Bolts you can usually get enough leverage on.