First Gen Lower Ball Joint(LBJ) Failures

Depends what bolts you use. Most the OEMs are only good for one use. ARP bolts can be used multiple times.LINK

That test doesn't always tell you they're bad. Replace every 100k with OEM and roll on.

 

Honestly, it's a wear part. Just use OEM parts and replace proactively at 100k-125k miles and you should be fine. I spent more on my aftermarket radio, which isn't even that fancy, than I did on LBJ and new hardware.

 

nope. I just treat it like a wear item. After my designated miles. The LBJ and bolts get replaced. Sooner than recommended if your use your truck for more than daily driving.

I'm going with about 80-90k for mine since I use it to launch my kayaks off lake beds and hit potholes, ect.....

 

Yup. Last summer, I had 87,000 miles (and 17 years) on my LBJs. I didn't bother checking for wear or play. I just replaced them. It was great peace of mind, especially since I had a 2500 mile road trip coming up.

 

and they're not bad "off the beaten trail backups" so just chuck'em in a box and keep them in the truck.

 

I'll just pop the ball joint instead, then.

 

Yup, exactly what I did. Got a spare, in a pinch. If I ever get the call from a 1GT homey saying they need one, I got 'em covered.

 

Same here. My old ones are in that tool box behind the seat. Although it's about to get evicted. Need a smaller tool box.

 

I would never keep my old rusty crusty LBJs unless it was for forensic purposes.

 

I mean, you say that but in a pinch, it beats having to let a flatbed drag your truck across the asphalt when you could instead just swap out the LBJ right there and drive away, and be golden for a few days while you wait for new OEM to come in. Also handy for trail spares.

 

That’s under the understanding that I’ll detect when it’s about to give and slow down to respectable speeds where it won’t do much damage beyond the LBJs. Chances are the frame and other front end components are fcuked.

Anyway. I’ve got AAA so they can drag it onto a flat bed and get it home. If I get a replacement frame, I’ll think otherwise.

 

LOL wut?

So if you're out on the trail you'd expect triple A to get a flat bed out there? Instead of just undoing 4 bolts and a castle nut and limping g your way back to civilization?

am I reading something wrong? Lol

 

I’ll do dirt roads but not trails in my current stock configuration.

 

Have you tried to use AAA lately? The last time I needed them it took 6 HOURS for them to respond!

 

I had to use them last year and it was a 2 hr wait. I’m hoping that it hasn’t gotten worse since that time.

 

No vehicle is safe

 

Oh F, I have one of these too....

 

It was trying to eject those horrid Rockstar wheels

 

I saw an older Nissan Titan with the wheel at an intersection. I didn't pull my phone out fast enough to take a picture.

 

What blows my mind is when someone puts on a donut spare and forgets to put the lug nuts back on it.

You can literally watch in slow motion as they drive down the road while the wheel wobbles side to side until it comes off the hub. I’ve seen it twice in my life.

 

About a year ago I was diving behind a FGT whose LBJ let loose on a curve causing his truck to land on its side. Driver was OK but his Tundra was destroyed.

 

I would normally say someone needs to scoop this up for that price. But I'd bet the frame is pretty bad being in Eagle River WI.

 

Look how much rust is on the front bumper and above the rear wheel. She's a goner.

 

Those tires, it was earned. I bet he’s stuffing those white rimmed sunglasses in his pockets in the pic.

 

Had to chuckle......

ETA - I know the seller was not intentionally saying that, just made me chuckle.

 

~

At 91K this will be coming up soon for me, glad I looked at the 1st gen threads today (been watching 3rd gen, mainly).




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Him?? Check again.

 

I straight up had to zoom in to make sure that wasn't a Texas plate