Newer??? Lower ball joint failure

ooh, this just got good!!

 

ok, well this thread just inspired me to order a new set of OEM LBJs from McGeorge Toyota.....

 

The 04005-03235 "recall kit" which is a bundle of both OEM LBJs saved me approx. $35 even after buying (8) black bolts for installation. The kit did not come with any bolts, so I also ordered (8) 90119-10933 black bolts for the best possible installation with or without using dust boots.

 

Thanks for all your help. I just forwarded the OEM LBJ link to the service manager. He agreed to put them in. I just thought a Toyota service dealer would use Toyota parts...my mistake. After they get it fixed up its going into the body shop cause the panel above the wheel is kinked and the door now hits it when opening it. At least they're making it right.

 

That is super weird that a Toyota dealer used cheap aftermarket parts...I didn't think they were allowed to use aftermarket unless the part was discontinued. That is suspect, I wouldn't use those guys again if you can help it.

 

Dealerships can use whatever parts they please on customer pay jobs. Alot of dealerships use aftermarket filter wipers, bulbs due to availability and pricing. Aftermarket is sometimes offered due to OEM costs.

 

Just seems crazy to me, if I'm taking my Toyota into a Toyota dealership I would expect them to use Toyota/OE parts, unless it wasn't possible from being discontinued, backordered, etc. All the more reason to buy your parts yourself

 

HA got you there too most places won't let you do customer-supplied parts due to wrong parts. It can be hard to tell until the part is out and if it is wrong and they won't buy another the shop is SOL and customers don't wanna pay for a repair that didn't happen.

 

I've never run into a place that didn't let me bring in my own parts

 

And they told you that they don't have Toyota OEM ball joints?

 

Another reason why I just work on my own vehicles. Hard to trust anyone.

 

LBJ job is super easy too, if anyone can do simple pads and rotor job they can do their LBJ's. Ive done them at least 5 times on my 04 since 2016, wheeling wears them out faster. Would have been a big dent in the wallet to have had a shop do them all those times

 

For real. If I can do the LBJs all by myself, anyone can.

 

oof, that’s a lot of LBJ’s

 

How do you guys handle all the rust. Dang. ..lol

 

Some guys with a lot of weight on their trucks running 35s and bug lifts replace them as often as every 10,000 miles.

IMO, the tension-loaded design was an unfortunate engineering shortcut from Toyota. Failures like this can be avoided with diligent maintenance and a bit of mechanical sympathy.

In any case, I think Toyota acknowledged the mistake when they redesigned the IFS in the second gen Tacoma, which has a compression-loaded ball joint that won't take the wheel off if it fails.

 

That's absolutely insane that you had to send the link for the OEM parts to the dealer. The only explanation I can think of is maybe the service manager is a new hire and doesn't know what's going on. I mean that's the whole point of the dealership: OEM vehicles, parts, and servicing.

 

I asked the OP who the dealer is , never received a answer.
Maybe he could educate the dealership turning them on to TW.

 

Very easy as long as none of the bolts sheer when removing or reinstalling

Pretty sure Toyota botched the torque spec on the black bolts with washers. The 2003 FSM has them at 59ftlbs. I went with 40 and locktite after I sheared the first bolt. Super fun to get out.

 

I had that happen as well one time. And of course it sheared off in one of the holes in the knuckle that doesn't go all the way through, but luckily I was able to twist the broken half of the bolt out with needle nose pliers