Gen1 lower Ball joints

I found this site searching out lower BJ issues on Gen 1 Tundras, Glad i did, great people and a lot of knowledge. Well after reading some of the horror stories about those ball joints separating, I was on pins and needles until I was able to replace mine. I even had to make a 230 mile trip with white knuckles before I changed them. They showed up on Friday and were in on Monday. I had the holiday off so my son and I did it. I sure feel much better not to mention safer while driving. I have 125600 miles on my truck and was worried sick after reading about them. If anyone is interested on where I purchased them I'd be glad to pass along the info. I searched around and found a good price and the shipping was awesome. I installed MOOG joints, real quality. Much better product than the OEM stuff, cost 50.00 each.

Thanks for all of the great info

 

Welcome to the site Bill, from Las Vegas.

 

Thank you, appreciate the welcome. Nice profile pic you got there. Bitchin truck!

 

Thank you, sir!

 

Lower ball joint has a TSB on it free replacement at the dealer for stronger ones.

 

Mike, thanks for that information. Do you have a link for that TSB?

 

Thanks Mike, I had read a number of posts online (not here) where people were having a tough time getting Toyota to do the repairs under a recall. I was surprised at that because Toyota had always been proactive when issue's regarding their vehicles developed. I twist wrenches for a living and I don't like to spend money on something when I don't need to, but to be honest I would rather do it myself. I always look things over pretty good anytime I'm working on it and I have the mindset of being the owner and paying attention to the little things. It was an easy task having the right tools and my youngest son (17) was helping out learning how to do it. That itself was worth the price of the parts. Let us know SWVA_Tundra how it goes at the dealer.

Thanks
Bill

 

Well, I went to the dealer and they told me that my 2000 Toyota Tundra was not on the list and my ball joints should be fine. Makes you wonder

 

Yeah bro, that's the type of responses I've seen people post. I would do it yourself or have it done just to be safe, it isn't a difficult task. I have seen posts were a guy was actually driving on the freeway and one came apart causing a lot of damage. Bent spindle, broken brake hose and body damage. I got the MOOG replacements at Parts Geek for 50 per side. That was the cheapest I found for good quality. I wouldn't put the bargain basement stuff on, it's just too critical. The TSB I believe covered the GEN 1 models, but they aren't being very helpful when it comes to the dealer replacing them. When I saw all of the problems Tundra owners were having with those joint's I wanted to get it done right away. Let me know if you need any tips on the repairs or search the forums. We have some very savvy people on this website.

Bill

 

NHTSA #: 81519,81526,81525
Make: TOYOTA
Model: TUNDRA
Model Year: 2002-2004
MFG Campaign #: 50J

Description: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Manufacturer that filed defect/noncompliance report: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Begin Date of MFG: 8/1/2001
End Date of MFG: 9/30/2003
Vehicle, Equipment, or Tire report: V

Number of units affected: 768,379
Date owner notified by MFG: 7/5/2005

Recall Initiator: ODI
MFG's of Recalled Vehicles/Products: TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION

Defect Summary: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.

Consequence Summary: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Recall Notes: TOYOTA RECALL NO. 50J. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

 

my 2004 fell under this recall and the dealer replaced em years ago, they seem to be holding up fine, but I have noticed some grease leakage from them recently? ie a wet area extending down the LCA where they attach

 

Your boots I bet have failed over time. Time to replace the joints soon.

 

Great info Mike

Thank you