Busted Lower Ball Joint - Anyone been through this nightmare??

Scott Jackson

Recognized Member
Jan 10, 2017
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Salt Lake City, Utah
Thanks BTW
No problem. Ya, not alot for Seqoiua specifically, but 01-02 tundra, and 96-02 runner parts are the same. I've even see guys use certain Tacoma spindle that allows you to install Manual hubs. These are great rigs! You won't be disappointed. Also, if you plan on going off road a lot, your will need to install center diff lock switch, its a must!
 

jumelton

Active Member
Nov 30, 2017
22
1
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Topsail Beach, NC
No problem. Ya, not alot for Seqoiua specifically, but 01-02 tundra, and 96-02 runner parts are the same. I've even see guys use certain Tacoma spindle that allows you to install Manual hubs. These are great rigs! You won't be disappointed. Also, if you plan on going off road a lot, your will need to install center diff lock switch, its a must!
Yep! I already have that write up saved! I have lot to do to this thing to get it to my comfort. My 1997 Wrangler I built axles, tcase, and put a v8 in it. But I have a baby now, so I don't have time to trailer it to the places I crawl :(. So I plan on building the Seq to handle decent trails and still take the fam on road trips. So if you have any favorite mods or links feel free to shoot them my way!
 

Jerry

New Member
Jun 30, 2018
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I did a little more research today and to change the LCA's and spindles to factory 04+ would be outrageously expensive. At $1,200+ I'd rather just figure out an alternative setup as you suggest Scott. I also found a shop in CA called Solo Motorsports that makes a spindle with a 1" lower uniball and heim joint for the steering. Could be a nice alternative :)
View attachment 502
Just upgraded my 2001 to 2004 you will need
2x Lower control arms from Moog $100 each Amazon
2x Lower ball joint Beck Arnley $60 each Amazon
2x knuckles from wrecking yard $150 each came with 13wl upgraded calipers and rotors
2x wheel bearing and seals Timken RockAuto $157
Total Chaos spindle gussets $150 welded by Desolatemotorsports.com
2x tie rod ends moog $24 each Amazon
Alignment ...


2001 sequoia
Toytec bilstein 5100 coilovers 3 inch lift
Spc uca
1" Drop diff kit
Ome 2.5 rear lift springs
Toytec boss rear shocks
 

ProbablyWrenching

New Member
Aug 6, 2017
6
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40
So this post and a few on some other forums have sufficiently scared the hell out of me. One of the first jobs I did when I bought this thing was to change all four ball joints, but now I'm concerned that even the new parts might not hold up. I went with Moog parts because of their reputation for building heavy duty, problem solver parts. Now I'm reading mixed reviews on the brand.

Can anyone weigh in on whether or not the Moogs are acceptable replacement parts? I've heard of both OEM and Moog failures, so it really is just a design problem ultimately.

I'm leaning heavily towards the Solo Motorsports solution. I just found out those guys are literally down the street from me, so I kinda have to go check them out now. I want to confidently drive this thing hard, and their parts look like what I need to do that.
 

tekem

New Member
Sep 17, 2017
13
1
3
48
Just upgraded my 2001 to 2004 you will need
2x Lower control arms from Moog $100 each Amazon
2x Lower ball joint Beck Arnley $60 each Amazon
2x knuckles from wrecking yard $150 each came with 13wl upgraded calipers and rotors
2x wheel bearing and seals Timken RockAuto $157
Total Chaos spindle gussets $150 welded by Desolatemotorsports.com
2x tie rod ends moog $24 each Amazon
Alignment ...


2001 sequoia
Toytec bilstein 5100 coilovers 3 inch lift
Spc uca
1" Drop diff kit
Ome 2.5 rear lift springs
Toytec boss rear shocks
Does the 2004 provide a "failsafe" design where the arm just doesnt fall down? Could you take a photo of your setup in the front?

I would rather pay $1200.00 than to drive with my family of eight and hit a bump and the car goes out of control cause my LCA dropped down. And i don't think its right that i have to look into buying a newer car...I was looking into a 2007 (which fixed this LCA design issue) but considering all of the custom work i did to my 2002.....makes my head hurt just thinking about this...


I changed my LCA recently with OEM and was inspecting them and the brakes while I was outside chiseling out the rust in the frame, prepping it for rust conversion and rubberizer later this week...the drop cloth must have weighed 40lbs in rust flakes and metal chips.

My 1995 Honda civic and 2006 rav4 don't even rust like this.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 

tekem

New Member
Sep 17, 2017
13
1
3
48
Looks like Toyota only properly fixed the upper and lower control arms to provide a failsafe design in the 2008 and newer vehicles. The balljoints are less likely to pop out due to the now inverted position.

Wish someone would make this setup for the gen 1's. They could make a fortune....

Posted photos to compare them..
39142e48ea5196f1ae000b982d95173c.jpg
2b192ff8ede9fa019f9a7dd6e6a056aa.jpg


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Sal R.

Very Well-Known Member
Apr 6, 2017
311
177
43
San Diego
So this post and a few on some other forums have sufficiently scared the hell out of me. One of the first jobs I did when I bought this thing was to change all four ball joints, but now I'm concerned that even the new parts might not hold up. I went with Moog parts because of their reputation for building heavy duty, problem solver parts. Now I'm reading mixed reviews on the brand.

Can anyone weigh in on whether or not the Moogs are acceptable replacement parts? I've heard of both OEM and Moog failures, so it really is just a design problem ultimately.

I'm leaning heavily towards the Solo Motorsports solution. I just found out those guys are literally down the street from me, so I kinda have to go check them out now. I want to confidently drive this thing hard, and their parts look like what I need to do that.

my Moog parts didn't last 42k before needing replacement.

Does the 2004 provide a "failsafe" design where the arm just doesnt fall down? Could you take a photo of your setup in the front?

I would rather pay $1200.00 than to drive with my family of eight and hit a bump and the car goes out of control cause my LCA dropped down. And i don't think its right that i have to look into buying a newer car...I was looking into a 2007 (which fixed this LCA design issue) but considering all of the custom work i did to my 2002.....makes my head hurt just thinking about this...


I changed my LCA recently with OEM and was inspecting them and the brakes while I was outside chiseling out the rust in the frame, prepping it for rust conversion and rubberizer later this week...the drop cloth must have weighed 40lbs in rust flakes and metal chips.

My 1995 Honda civic and 2006 rav4 don't even rust like this.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

no direct bolt-on failsafe replacements available.

The best one can do is add redundancy and strength.

2018-05-28-12_31_51-jpg.1274


img_20180530_192533-jpg.1287
 

tekem

New Member
Sep 17, 2017
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TopGunMD

New Member
Feb 19, 2017
10
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Harford County Maryland
They are 17mm heads, (not sure of the actual bolt diameter) and yes they have a Square pattern. There was a redesign for the recall, but I cannot see a difference, with either of them torn apart. Might have been redesigned with a Grease fitting possibly, or tighter ball socket. As for the sankei. From my sources, they actually makes the OEM joints (reliable source, but not verified) In my opinion, they are all bound for failure because it was on engineering flaw on Toyota's part. They Obviously realized this and changed the design in 03, (starting with new chassis, LX470, and 4runner) followed by Tacoma, tundra, and sequoia as the new Generations were released.

In my opinion

Best Practice it to check and/or replace them regularly. I plan on changing my Sankei every 2 years, just to be certain, but I am also kinda hard on my Sequoia (meaning it sees a LOT of trail time). I just don't want to go through it EVER again, especially with my new Fenders and paint :)

Would like to eventually make conversion kit to the newer style. perhaps with new lower arms, and a reversed Mount. I have seen on guy who cut up an old Ball joint, and welded in Johnny joint, then used a large bolt.


Yes, this is True - Although, if engineered properly, the load would NOT be constantly trying to separate the control arm from the Spindle. If you look at the new Design, its almost impossible for them to separate. (they basically flipped the ball joint) as you can see, if the ball joint wears and fails, it will still remain connected to the hub.

New Design
d728d25829655cd521d08a1441f763ea.jpg


Revised Design
491485909_577a96e61a.jpg

Early Design
100_0448.jpg
So my truck had the Revised design on it when i got it, i saw all the issues with failure so since i didn't know when they were last replaced i ordered new ones. But i didnt know that i had to order something other than the ones made for on 02 which is my year. I ended up receiving the Early design and im not satisfied at all with it. problem is i tossed the revised ones before i really noticed ( i know bonehead move) im trying to order the revised ones now but im not sure what part number or year.
 

Scott Jackson

Recognized Member
Jan 10, 2017
76
45
18
45
Salt Lake City, Utah
So my truck had the Revised design on it when i got it, i saw all the issues with failure so since i didn't know when they were last replaced i ordered new ones. But i didnt know that i had to order something other than the ones made for on 02 which is my year. I ended up receiving the Early design and im not satisfied at all with it. problem is i tossed the revised ones before i really noticed ( i know bonehead move) im trying to order the revised ones now but im not sure what part number or year.
If you have an 2002, then you have the early design. They are not interchangeable. In order to use revised design, you must get 03+ spindless and LCA (lower control arms)

Just order the Sankei (555) from lowrangeoffroad.com they are the same as 96-02 4runner. I've had mine on for over a year, and to my surprise, they are holding up much better than expected. And they have gotten a LOT of use.
 
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TopGunMD

New Member
Feb 19, 2017
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Harford County Maryland
So will they be the old or updated version?
IMG_20180918_010500.jpg
Here's an image of my truck the one on the left is what's on my truck now the right is what i had on the truck. I ordered the LBJ for an 02 assuming all new parts (especially from a dealer) would be new updated design and that they wouldn't even sell the old style anymore. but i was wrong. im not looking to do the whole conversion from 02 to 04 but don't want to go aftermarket ( i know sankei 555 and moog have made these for toyota i just want OEM)
 

Scott Jackson

Recognized Member
Jan 10, 2017
76
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Salt Lake City, Utah
Those are the same Style. The original ones that failed so easy were defective, hence the recall. But they changed them with the same style, just upgraded internals to help prevent them from separating. And I think they did a good Job, as it seems to work on stock trucks. So buying them from dealer, you should be fine for a while.

The Revised Joints have a larger Mounting surface, and use larger bolts, its square vs trapezoid mount) they will not fit on a early design.
 
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TopGunMD

New Member
Feb 19, 2017
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Harford County Maryland
Like i said both of those images are my truck. so obviously they do have ones that fit because they were on there when i got it. I really prefer the ones on the right over the ones i have now on the right. I did not change Lower control arms or anything else when we swapped the LBJ's.
 

Scott Jackson

Recognized Member
Jan 10, 2017
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Salt Lake City, Utah
Like i said both of those images are my truck. so obviously they do have ones that fit because they were on there when i got it. I really prefer the ones on the right over the ones i have now on the right. I did not change Lower control arms or anything else when we swapped the LBJ's.
The only difference is the Dust boot.. that's it.
 
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TopGunMD

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Feb 19, 2017
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Harford County Maryland
It may be confusing because I put new calipers on so the image with the red calipers is the newer ones I had installed and the other image with the factory looking calipers is what was on there before I had new LBJ's installed. The ones i have on now don't look they will hold up to the same abuse my old ones did but like i said i tossed em like a dummy. if i didn't have all the extra weight on my tree i wouldn't mind but i have plate bumpers 5th wheel, winch ect.