2004 Tundra Lower Ball Joint Replacement

Thanks Speedtre! I'll call my local dealership first and then look into online options.

I'm looking forward to seeing more photos of your rig. I know you've been teasing us for some time now.

 

Can I use grade 8 hardware for the 8 bolts? I bought the Moog kit that comes with all the hardware but the bolts are shorter. I really can't wait to mail order the hardware. Thanks

 

Moog is absolute shit. Do not put that garbage on your truck.

mine lasted 10k miles. And that was AFTER I had to replace one when installing. The nut provided deformed when torquing to final specs, the metal was just soft junk. Used the oem bolt after I swapped out. 10k later garbage. Back to OEM. Not worth it to go cheap on this component.

 

Do you already have everything disassembled? If not, return the moog LBJ’s and get OEM.

 

On topic.

For those who are just starting to get into servicing their own vehicles like me.

What are the warning signs?

Odds are I will end up replacing these soon anyway as I have new coilovers to install eventually.

Just curious for future reference, and others like me who do not know. Thanks in advance.

(Just guessing, but I would say its either an excessive "vibration" or noise?)

Cheers.

Edit: According to Service records my LBJs were replaced in 2006 when there was 29K on the clock.

312,900-ish now...

 

There is no early warning if red lite was not used on the 4 bolts, it will spontaneously fail and is well documented. In your case I think your’re fine based on miles but replace asap.

 

I replaced lbj from factory, but I didn't do shit with the 4 bolts. I re-used originals. Torqued to book. I have an 04. I have checked the bolts when I do any tire or brake work, they have been solid. Should I be worried?

 

Nope.

 

so the loctite thing on all new bolts on the 4 unders is a different year or a myth?

 

Did you end up installing the moog LBJ’s?

 

If the 4 bolts are torqued to spec, pretty sure you’re good to go.

 

they dont budge, at 280K I got other concerns , so I'll just move forward on every other abused component, and check that they dont spin if I'm under there. Thanks.

 

No I broke down and ordered Toyota lbjs. They came in last night.

 

Great call on OEM. You will sleep and drive better knowing it’s a quality part. To complete your good decision and hard work I would jack up, remove, locktite and re torque bolts. Should take you 30 min tops I’d you have a jack, socket, torque metal wrench and locktite. No way in leaving that to chance. Seen too many postings of random failures. Luckily it seems to happen in parking lots most of the time.

 

I plan to use blue locktite. Is that what you recommend?

 

I would use red personally. Stronger.

 

I second the red stuff. The truck will probably be a cube by the time they need to be addressed again

 

Awesome, thanks y'all.

 

Tagged and will be inspecting mine. Thanks!

 

The red is tight, but if you have to get into other front end work its a bitch. if you have your front end serviced you should probably let the tech know you are red locked. If you do your own its fine. I have 10k on my original bolts, reused. and they arent red or blue. They are just torqued to spec. But my front end is destroyed so I constantly get to check them. They are holding for now.

 

Sorry, not 10k on the original truck, but 10 k after a 275,000 service. So everyone gets to gorilla glue their bolts as wanted. But I don't.

 

I did my whole suspension with AC Delco Pro, very high quality, made in Japan, looks and installs like OEM, at about 1/3 the cost