Lower ball joint bolts fell off 2000 Tacoma 3.4L

Cool story. What does the manufacturer say?

You know, the people who designed and engineered the part... I defer to them, over someone who calls themself Iror.

 

Never heard of thread lock?

Something else the manufacturer says to use... along with the proper torque...

 

This. 59 is not torque to yield. I have grade 10.9 bolts in here now, and I don’t see a problem reusing them. If my new BJs come with bolts, I’d reuse them, but for things like replacing a cv, I would reuse the bolts...

 

so, I was surprised that my Taco LBJs didn't come with new bolts - anyone have the part number for the bolts?

 

9011910933
This was the part number on village Toyota’s website when I bought mine last year. Not sure if that’s the full Toyota part number tho.

 

I know you usually prefer O'Reilley's over others, but this is one part if your not going OEM, you may want to check NAPA. They have multiple grades, including 555s for $115, and 3 or 4 of the price points come with new bolts.

https://tinyurl.com/y6c6rm4s

 

Go to Ace Hardware and find yourself the grade 10.9 bolts you need. I can't remember what size, but just take your old one, I found an exact match with the flange. Bet you they're half the cost of ones from the dealer...

 

555's for $115?! Jesus, you're getting ripped off.

Granted, 555 makes the factory OEM ones (or so I've heard), but if you're paying $115 for BJs, just get the factory ones.

Or get these:
http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyo...coma-4x4-lower-ball-joints-made-in-japan.html

 

Here is my take on the issue with LBJ bolts. I have posted this before but I feel it's important.

When I was installing new OEM LBJs, the kit came with bolts. When trying to torque to the bolts to 59 ft/lbs they just stretched. The one I tried had stretched over .010" compared to the other bolts.
Looking at Fastenal chart below I tried a torque of 45 ft/lbs, for a 10mm, 10.9 grade bolt. The remaining OEM bolts torqued ok without stretching. It seems to me Toyota is specifying a grade 12.9 torque but suppling grade 10.9 bolts. Nothing else makes sense to me.

https://crafter.fastenal.com/static-assets/pdfs/Torque-Tension_Chart_for_Metric_Fasteners.pdf

Purchasing these solved the problem and handled the torque easily.
https://www.mcmaster.com/98093a553

 

Keep in mind there are 2 different lengths for most BJs. I guess some have the same length, but I almost screwed myself by putting the shorter bolts in (wasn't paying attention). Stripped out the first thread or 2 when I tried to torque it down.

I was able to clean the threads out and get slightly longer bolts. Luckily the spindle had threads cut deep enough to accommodate the slightly longer bolts.

So, the other thing is: are you an engineer? Not bagging on you, a serious question. The reason I ask is because you seem to be making a lot of engineer type determinations here, like lowering the torque specs made by the manufacturer, based on some generic fastener spec sheet (that even warns about under/over torquing bolts).

I'm not an engineer, so I tend to defer to the engineers at Toyota. I sure as hell wouldn't lower the torque...

 

See this thread for information between newer/ older 1st gen ball joints, types of hardware, and dust boot part numbers.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lower-ball-joints.476593/page-3


Also, 555 is NOT an OEM copy.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-your-ball-joints.374853/page-2#post-10284167

 

I didn't buy the 555s. I just know that's what most everyone looks for in LBJs. I was only making the point that NAPA sells a range of them, some with bolts.

 

So you just lowered the torque then? Did you consider stepping up to a 12.9 bolt?

 

I wasn't dinging O'Reilleys. The Asst Mgr at my local O'R will negotiate on price of just about any part. And, as you said, they readily replace about any part brought back. Not unusual for me to get 15% off just by complaining about a high price. No proof of lower price elsewhere required.

 

I changed the OEM bolts within days for the McMaster-Carr bolts. Even thou the McMaster flanged bolts are grade 10.9 they were able to be torqued to 59 ft/lbs with any measurable stretching. Been using these bolts for over 2 years with out any problems.

 

Thanks for that info (that has already been covered in this thread be me, and others).

 

10-4, just wanted to cite sources