Lower Ball Joint Broke

Looks correct, there are a few different variants on the part depending on your year and model but as long as the your vehicle info is correct when you searched the dealer parts site then that should be the right one.

Some of them come with new bolts and some don't...make sure you get new bolts and that they are the right ones (can't just use regular cheap bolts from the hardware store). Order them from the dealer if you can, they're inexpensive.

Whoever ends up doing this for you in your driveway should be sure to use blue loctite on all 4 of the lower ball joint bolts otherwise they can back out and break. Also be sure to torque them to 59 ft/lbs. Too tight will also break them, ask me how I know lol.

 

The ball joint itself is NOT weak. It's a wearable part just like any other ball joint. They can last anywhere from 5k to 200k depending on driving conditions.


I'd be very surprised if your steering rack and tie rods didn't suffer any damage. Where did the stud go? I'm guessing this is a 5 lug truck as it looks very different than a 6 lug.

 

I can't tell specifically from your picture, but you may want to use this an an opportunity to freshen up some of the worn bushings that are like the red ones in this picture. Its easy to get caught up into spending a bunch of money on suspensions. Its a fun way to drain your wallet.

Though that's the one area where I get to feel improvements with each modification.

 

How is it not a weak design when we see threads and instances such as this regularly with 1st gens, but rarely if ever on 2nd gens when the LBJ design was changed?

Not trying to argue just curious because to me it seems like Toyota recognized that it was a failure point and changed it to be a better design with the 2nd gens.

 

Good point about the 5 lug.

OP - How many lugs do your wheels have?

 

If that's true then that part he posted earlier likely is the wrong one, it looked like the info that was put in was for a 6 lug. Hopefully he didn't order it yet if that's the case

 

IIRC - I think the ones for a 5 lug are under $80.

 

It's a poor design in that when the bj has far exceeded it's serviceable life it is pushed out of the socket. Take a brand new ball joint and try and pull it out of the socket. I guarantee the force that that would take is many times more than what the coil spring is exerting on the bj. They fail because the ball has been worn to a point that it's diameter is smaller than that of the socket. In a perfect world where things wouldn't wear we wouldn't have failures.

 

curious how many miles you have on your truck?

 

I would try Camelback for the part.

https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/

 

That does look like a 5 lug suspension. Hopefully @98RedSR5 you haven't bought the ball joint(s) yet!

Options below. I haven't done them yet so I have no input on which ones to get. OEM is about 2x the price of the Moog and 555.

OEM: right 43330-39355 left 43330-39275
Moog: right

$34 MOOG K90261 Front Right Lower Suspension Ball Joint for Toyota Tacoma

K90261 left

$34 MOOG K90260 Front Left Lower Suspension Ball Joint for Toyota Tacoma

K90260
555 (it looks like the Beck Arnleys are just reboxed/branded 555s): right 1014777 left 1014776

 

Not sure. how would I figure that out? Thanks.

 

havent bought anything yet. Im going to look into the recall.
Theres a serious lack of affordable mechanics in the local area.
I found one who is affordable but he told me that the LBJ is a very difficult job. For now I have to save $ for the parts and tow out of the driveway.

 

The number of lug nuts on the wheel. This wheel is for a 5-lug Tacoma.




This wheel is for a 6-lug Tacoma.

 

I have around 220000 miles. So am hesitant to sell the truck as the engine has been maintained well and is a V6 which means a longer life. As well in the past six months I have replaced the Upper Ball Joint on the left side, door handle, radiator and new front shocks and tires totalling around $2500. My dream was to keep her running for 400k!

 

Its a 5 lug. Thanks for reply!

 

It looks like Toyota only does recalls for vehicle from
1999 and beyond. Just FYI for anyone out there that wants to know.

 

ok. thanks for the tips!

 

Thanks for the tip! I looked it up and it seems Toyota decided to stop being accountable for vehicles before 1999. Not surprised as Im
sure theres many recalls where they have issues finding old parts etc.

 

You are in luck. The LBJs for a 5-lug cost considerably less than a 6-lug.