Missing dust covers

Just got upper and lower ball joints put in. OEM Toyota.

Mechanic didn't swap the dust covers over to the new LBJs.

1-10 how critical is this? 2003

 

Been driving without mine for over 100k miles without the covers, so not much. They actually help you spot signs of leaking grease more easily.

 

Thanks Jack. Mechanic disconnected his phone so I'm sure they're long gone. Makes me feel a bit better though.

 

2000 AC:
I don't remember if the set I took off in 2022 had them, but the SKP $25 ones I first put on there didn't, and neither did the OEM I replaced them with in March of 2024. They don't even have the provision/tapped holes to hold them in place. I just now noticed how bad the boot was cracked after just 17 months, and prob less that 6k miles.
Glad I was warned, thx guys

 

The OEM ones actually use two of the existing bolt holes diagonally across from one another. The dust cover has washers built into them as you can feel the hardness of them in the rubber.

In order to correct the bolt depth so they’re all even, the other two remaining bolt holes have washers that go with them. That’s at least how mine were designed for an 02.

 

Only thing we worry about with the longer bolts is that they may be too long and bottom out but that hasn't been confirmed. Hope your mechanic knew those are the low torque 37ft-lbs bolts

 

Thought I may have been missing something. I swear I saw some OEM with the other fastening style. Crawling back under my rock now,

 

Entirely possible. It may have been for later years.

 

This is why I don't trust people to touch my stuff. It's such a painless job to do, I can't imagine going through with this. Hopefully the dumbass torqued shit to spec and didn't stretch out your bolts.

Meanwhile, I'd recommend getting a yellow paint marker and clocking your bolts. Like, drawing a line across the part and the bolt, so you have a very easy visual reference if the bolt is backing out. I do this with all my replacement suspension bits, and glance over to make sure none have moved at every oil change. It's cheap insurance to avoid thousands in damage (or death).

 

I specifically asked him to torque to 37ft lbs lol. I do want to check...

 

I think the later ones, 04-06, have the screws to hold the dust covers on. My 03 has the washers that go through two of the bolts.

Did they toss the dust covers or give them back to you? Either way, the LBJs should pop right out of the LCAs if they were just done, pretty easy job to get to install the dust covers. I'd try and get the mechanic to at least cover the labor for installing them since they left them off.

 

My general consensus is that they changed to the big ball joint in Sept 2003 from a couple things I've seen, but I haven't really been able to confirm.

 

Any Toyota Parts dept can confirm that with a part number changeover. They have the dates and usually ask what month your truck was made to confirm you get the right parts.