First Gen Lower Ball Joint(LBJ) Failures

Yeah this is one of those situations where you really can't fault the mechanic. Unless they know 1st gen Tundras and Tacomas and the LBJ problems, they don't know. I've heard the same. Often no warning at all before failure. Which is why so many people on Tacoma and Tundra forums recommend the ~100,000 service, regardless of all signs that they're "fine".

Second generation Tacoma LBJs are like our UBJs. They're being compressed by the weight of the truck, not pulled apart by it. I'm guessing most (?) ball joints on other vehicles are like that. So even when there's play, it's still fairly safe. But not with ours.

 

Truth. My passenger side lbj felt fine on the truck. Once removed, it was just rattling around in the cup. I almost died.

 

The ones I removed recently that were leaking grease are still fine after removal. Better to be safe than sorry I guess.

 

At least we aren't alone...

 

Well that's interesting...

 

The guys on that Facebook group must be aware by now of the LBJ issue, so how do they let it keep happening?

 

Nobody thinks it an happen to them, I guess. Or they don't believe it.

 

Doing mine next weekend. Im surprised a company has not jumped on this a made w good solution. You have 3 platforms of reliable toyota rigs , many still out on the road . Im sure 40% would upgrade if documented fix was available. I gotget if its TC or Solo that has a pretty good looking alternative.

 

Hmmmn. I’m gonna have to take a closer look at that Ranger Raptor I was interested in getting.

 

Looks sweet but their like 60k right? I could not by any ford ranger for 60+k after taxes. Same w the gm zr2...high 50's I think. They are cool and I will be curious if they sell out quickly ( not sure if limited run)

 

They aren’t selling as well as they hoped. I saw two on a local lot already. None in my color but they want some sort of commitment before you drive it.

 

How are you supposed to know if you want it if you’ve never driven it?

 

Exactly! They’re hoping that people will either buy it unseen or just walk in and buy it.

 

I was hoping to see something obvious like the 1st gen Tacoma/Tundra design flaw, but no. There may be some other obvious issue, but they're at least set up so that the ball joint is being pushed together by the weight of the truck, not pulled apart.

Not sure exactly what year model this is, but it's the new Bronco.

 

First Gen Vol,

I'm with you! Previous owner had no idea when the LBJ's on mine was replaced.....I hope to get to that as soon as some mower repairs are complete.

(I'm not driving it until those and a new timing belt go on).

 

"Bet the shop didn't use OEM"
"Failed at 1yr/7k miles"

#onlyOEM

​

 

I feel dumb (not entirely untrue) and I'm betting I could find the answer in this thread somewhere, but what is the key design flaw that is "pulling them apart?" When I look at my Tundra suspension compared to that one yes I can see differences, but not drastic ones in the way the ball joints are situated.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/new-owner-2006-dc-crusty.142275/#post-3579453

 

Ohh, I saw it right away with the front view in that pic, with the LCA pulling down on the ball joint via the castle nut. Thanks.

 

Yup, and the the stupid part about it is, look at what they're doing inside with the aftermarket. The ball is riding around on a plastic bushing inside. To boot, I've seen other cut-opens, and aftermarket are using plastic ball seats and tension springs. It's f'n nuts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQWwTB8w2Hk
​

That said, Toyota does use plastic in some of their parts, like there was this R&P that same guy's shop was doing, and they found plastic inside. But note the difference in quality/durability Toyota accepts for plastic vs. what aftermarket deems acceptable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMBZNwA80f0​

 

Looks like the LBJ didn't like the owners wheel choice and tried to eject the assembly.

 

Everytime I see a Bronco on the road, I laugh. People can be so gullible and Ford did an excellent job at marketing the bronco. I remember people paying 20-40k over sticker due to the hype Ford manufactured, unfortunately the marketing dept was better than the engineering.

 

$109k for this Bronco Raptor and they sold it!

 

109K for a Bronco. Nope! That’s criminal. I’ll just keep my FGT till I die although I would like to find one that the paint hasn’t failed yet…

 

For real. You could probably find an older Bronco in mint shape, rack it up with LSx, 4WD, and a wide array of modern amenities, and have a much cooler vehicle at less than half the price.

$30k will get you a seriously badass custom ride these days.

 

Im not a Ford guy, but I’d swap a Ford engine in it. My buddy is planning his 76’ Bronco build and he’s deciding between the Coyote or the Godzilla, both would be supercharged.

 

Welcome back dude. Glad to see you're still alive.

 

Thanks, good to see so many 1st gen guys are still going strong. I doubt the 2nd gen crew are so lucky, I won't start bashing that 5.7 and it's issues

 

Shtttttt $109k sounds like LC500 money to me. I really dislike Ford though so I'm biased.

 

You have been under a rock, now everyone bashes on the 22+ model with motors that go poof because of hanging Chad’s and spun bearings