Front end issue I guess...

So pulling out of the barn road this morning about four feet from my fathers driveway this happened...

the four bolts holding my lower ball joint and outer tie rod assembly sheared... don’t know how or why but they did. My biggest concern is the fact that when this happened, keep in mind I was going about four miles an hour and it only skid about a foot, the driver side front axle pulled right out of the transfer case assembly. As did the inner tie rod. After I wiggles under there to see what the fuckery happened, I noticed that a beating came out with that end of the axle. I apologize if my technical terms are wrong I’m not a mechanic. Anyone have a clue as to what needs to happen to get my truck back on the road and random guess at how much it would cost?

 

Oof

Another member had one (or more) of his bolts break off in a similar manner.

I'd start with separating the tie rod end and the lower ball joint so you can then tackle the lower ball joint from the lower control arm. Fortunately you can unbolt the lower ball joint from below; I guess it's just going to be a pain in removing the remainder of the bolt from the wheel hub/spindle.

Can you take a picture of said "bearing" that fell out?

If something happened with the axle, you'll have to remove the wheel, and follow the steps to remove your axle. I'm not familiar with the ADD system, or the 35mm/36mm nut it takes to remove the axle, so I'll tag another member to come in and guide you

@eon_blue

and another member that had a bolt break on his lower ball joint

@BartMaster1234

 

Yikes...I broke a bolt on mine when installing them but luckily I haven't had bolts fail while driving, though I believe thats what happened to Tyler when his LBJ failed.

The CV axles aren't connected to the transfer case, they are connected to the front diff (transfer case is behind the transmission). It sounds like your axle will have to be replaced and I'm guessing the bearing that fell out was your needle bearing so you'll probably need a new one of those, assuming that was it.

I would make sure to order an OEM lower ball joint assembly since aftermarket ones aren't known to have the best quality and as you now know, an LBJ failure can be pretty dangerous.

 

Yes. That is a front end issue.

 

Looking back at this I'm thinking "barn", not to mention all the rust in this thing.

I'd check the frame, as well as the engine bay and/or wiring in case you may have rats in there. I know it's not what you're having issues with at the moment, but that front end is in pretty bad shape (aside from the obvious failure).

 

Getting the broken bolts out of the knuckle will be almost impossible on the truck.

Remove the knuckle and bring it to a shop to have the bolts removed and threads repaired.

New ball joint and bam, truck is good to go.

 

I got lucky and was able to back the broken bolt out of the spindle with a pair of needle nose pliers. But mine broke during install so it came out easily, I'm guessing his will be stuck up in there

 

Last one I broke removing was a huuuuuuuuuuuuuge bear to remove, but I live in salt province.

 

OP has 4 stuck up in there most likely. Gonna be a fun day with lots of swearing involved to fix that. Id be looking for a junkyard knuckle.

 

I had that happen once upon a time too. Usually what happens is one or two back out, then the other two shear.

Good chance to put on new OEM LBJs plus new bolts. Do both sides!

Also - that inner tie rod looks fine, the bellows just ripped. Same with the CV, the inner joint just comes apart, so sliding it back together with a new boot should be sufficient.

 

Thanks I’ll keep ya posted and get another pic or two on here thanks

 

I did end up getting it towed to my mechanic, and frame isn’t toooo bad being a New England truck but definetly not perfect. I’m hoping LBJ, if it comes out, and cv axle worst case

 

I would ask him to use am OEM LBJ assembly if I were you...independent shops will likely default to whatever aftermarket parts provider they like to use but with the LBJs it's important to stick with OEM.

 

You need some heat!

 

What’s up with the chunk of concrete in your spring?

 

Haven’t figured out what the deal is with that chunk it’s not concrete it’s metal, bought the truck with this lift already installed. Getting Bilstein soon.

 

Ooooooooh, is it one of those twist in spring booster things? People used to put them in the rear coils of muscle cars to pop up the rear, them dumb things were everywhere in the 80’s. Put a half inch extension on a ratchet and twist that stupid thing out, and any others

 

I was thinking it was some piece of crap to make the truck ride a hair higher up front, but my mechanic got the truck back together, tried to put the original cv back in but had to much play, saved the ball joint, put four new grade ten bolts back on the ball joint steering knuckle connection and called it good. Picking it up in an hour or so after farm chores we’ll see how she feels. I’ll be doing the other sides bolts in a week or so when I’ve got some free time and my bosses car lift is open. Thanks again to everyone for there two cents and advice!!

 

So you didn’t get new ball joints put in? If they’re at the point where the bolts broke the ball joint is probably near the end of its life too...

how many miles on the truck?

 

110,000 in definitely spell rebuilding and re placing the front end components