First Gen Lower Ball Joint(LBJ) Failures

We would know a lot more about this if we knew whether he used OEM parts. Most likely not, IMO. Like I stated earlier, mine have 250K miles on them and I have taken the bolts off and put them back on with an impact 5 times, still original bolts, never used a torque wrench or Loctite. No LBJ problems ever. I am the original owner.
I also have another Tundra, a cherry 2004 RCLB 4x4 with 152K miles, which I bought used at 128K miles. The PO gave me a file of repair records and nothing about LBJ in them, so I imagine they are original. I will replace the LBJ on this one as well when I get around to it. The lower control arm bushings have some cracks so I'm contemplating whether to do the LCA's and LBJ's all at the same time. Over $800 of OEM parts and then have it aligned.

 

option 2 is the best option. Striking anything with a hammer leads to deformation and fracturing. Use a puller and few taps with a hammer will get it pop if the puller doesn't do the job itself. refrain from the "just keep smacking it"

 

Big ooof

Stolen from Facebook.

 

At least they were able to maintain control.

 

Yup. Saw a Tundra roll in front of me when his LBJ broke loose on a curve doing 55

 

That's exactly what mine did but I didn't swerve across 2 lanes of traffic. Pretty sure I got it stopped a lot sooner than that too.

 

OK, I just installed kit 04006-62134 (plus new bolts) which I believe are the recall LBJ's, on my stock 2006 RCLB. After 250K miles the old ones still looked perfect. Before I removed them I tested them with a pry bar and they had no slack. The old ones were recall LBJ installed by the dealer.
What keeps coming to mind is that I'm not certain that recall LBJ's ever fail by shearing in half. Isn't it only the OEM originals (pre-recall) and aftermarket LBJ that fail that way? We should draw a distinction here and we have to draw a distinction between slack failures and shearing failures. Does anyone know for a fact that recall LBJ's have broken in half (not to be confused with ball slack failure)?
I watched a couple videos beforehand and was under the impression that you have to remove the 4x4 axle nut. Why? Just remove the 4 LBJ bolts and set a jack stand under the rotor, lifting it 2" off the LBJ so you can get it out. Easy peazy.
I did not use any pullers since I have none that fit and I live way out in the middle of nowhere and didn't want to go for a ride. It seems the consensus here is that the only alternative to pullers is a BFH. I used to be a mechanic back in the 70's and it was understood that you didn't pound tie rod ends with a BFH, you use a SFH. A small hammer has more speed and impact of the type that jars the bolt free. The speed is the trick. On the LBJ main bolt I used a BFH as backup on one side and beat the other side silly with a SFH and it took a lot of wailin but they came free. Just be sure your aim is true on the tie rods so you don't damage the tie rod or boot. On both the tie rods and ball joints it took more than 15 licks with the SFH.
Next I get to do my 2004 RCLB ball joints with 152K miles and as far as I know they are original, and since it was made in January, they might be the older type used in 2003.

 

Huh. I haven't looked at an official Toyota writeup of how to do the job, but I've never heard to remove the axle nut. Either way you're right, there's no need.

 

Another one bites the dust. The owner reports the truck has 260k miles..





https://youtu.be/rY0WxgSXdEE?si=YXoFnHF5R29GrSaE

 

I saw this happen to a Range Rover the other day in the Northbound traffic on I93. Traffic was backed up for over a mile or two.

 

Another one potentially?

 

That's a reminder that it's not just your life that you're gambling with

 

Yeah, I'm definitely getting mine replaced next month. These pictures all of you are posting are scaring the crap out of me.

 

Mine are getting replaced next month too. With OEM this time since y'all weren't impressed with my Moogs or Mevotechs, or whatever the hell is under there.

 

And here I was expecting, "We are the Champions"!

 

That'll be me after 35k miles if mine don't herniate and kill me and everyone in a three block radius before I get them replaced.

 

How many miles are on your current LBJs?

 

Too many

 

See above post, around 35k miles.

 

My algorithm is going hard today. This shit it starting to anger me. We share the road with these people and they think it's funny. Owner reported almost 200k miles on this set....

 

I'm like 90% sure that AZ is in SA area by castle hills

 

142k miles..

 

Be sure and get pics. We like pics.

 

…you know that he walked right into AZ and bought an over the counter AC Delco branded Moog, installed it and now calls it “guud”.

 

No doubt. Probably reused the same bolts too.

 

Man, its more than when do I replace my LBJ. IF you are running 33. And have Kings with high articulation ubj, extended CVJ' OR Whatnot. The oem will be overstreased from bigger tire alone. Im not saying dont due that. But, every yota tech that has hands on experience w this stuff sais, stay away from big tires, any extra mass will wear them out...hey i did not lisyen either. But also realized out trucks chould not be on 33+ tires.

Not if you have dirst king, solo, heim jounts etc and maybe reinfored IFS ( GUSSETS, LBJ CAGE. LIMITING STRAP) different story. I chenck mine ever month. And everytime I wheel and make IFS WORK HARD. Our trucks are light duty trucks w good all around utility.

Nothing will make them like a dual live axle or custom link set up. Bottom line. If you added additional rotational mass or increased articulation, I would inspect frequently. Test is best done lifted slight by frame with long pry bar as the bolts can llok fine. Its the play under the rubber skirt.

 

I'm comfortable with 33" tires but I'll keep replacing my LBJ's well before 90k miles. Especially with some of the abuse they see at places like The Cinders.

Cheap peace of mind to spend $200 every 5 years.

 

I agree, if anyone is not sure about there trucks recall status, several website options for you:

 

I don't get these 1st gen Tundra facebook posts. Are these people just finding the FB group and only just hearing about the ball joint issues after it happens to them? Because from reading this thread, it feels like all these people are already part of that FB group, know about the issue, then when it happens to them are like "cool, now I get to post about joining the LBJ failure club!", like they're waiting to celebrate turning over 300,000 miles or something...

I'm sure that's not what's happening but it's what it feels like from the outside.