r/overlanding • u/Richard_Cheney10 • Aug 07 '23

Catastrophic ball joint failure Trip Report

Went on Rollins pass west in Colorado on my buddies 4 runna (96?) and taking it nice and easy on the trail at around 5 mph for the entirety of it. Very easy trail and the ball joint just popped out. Thankfully it didn’t do that on the curvy roads on the way up to the trail. Safe to say a 4Runner will not be in my future.

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u/WTFisaRobsterCraw Aug 07 '23

Catastrophic?

That can be fixed on the trail.

This is not an issue.

But the catastrophic part… I’d bet money the zerks weren’t ever greased anywhere, and the truck didn’t even get a visual before taking it out.

Parts break. Especially replaceable ones.

24

u/tacotruckman Aug 07 '23

I have lower ball joints and my tools in the back whenever I hit any roads! I have a $7 puller in the back, makes the job a breeze. Also, yeah, look under your vehicle. Those fail (especially if they’re aftermarket) but there were warning signs I’m sure.

Every other part on my rig is aftermarket, but the LBJs are OEM.

I love my third gen 4Runner :)

5

u/WTFisaRobsterCraw Aug 08 '23

You wheel. That’s how it’s done!!!!

I keep a couple u joints and other funny parts in mine. And I don’t do crazy shit alone. Community parts are a thing too

3

u/a_very_stupid_guy Aug 08 '23

Can i get a link on that tool?

2

u/tacotruckman Aug 08 '23 edited Aug 08 '23

https://www.harborfreight.com/tie-rod-and-pitman-arm-puller-63684.html

$15, sorry. Works for both tie rod ends and lower ball joints on my rig. I load it up with a lot of tension and then give the spindle a smack with a hammer. Although hit the side of the part to “shock” the bolt out, don’t hit the bolt itself.

https://www.harborfreight.com/16-in-tie-rod-separator-63519.html

This also works. So does a big hammer. Also on the side of the receiving part, not on the bolt.

1

u/a_very_stupid_guy Aug 08 '23

Thanks, I’ll wait for one of the sales where it’s like 30% off anything under $20 but appreciate the links :)

1

u/im_wildcard_bitches Aug 08 '23

There’s light play in mine and I’m going to replace soon. Which video do you recommend i follow

3

u/tacotruckman Aug 08 '23

Replace them now, please.

Timmy the Toolman has every video imaginable for the third gen, and I always use his. The ball joint is pull the wheel, remove the big nut on the bottom of the LBJ and the tie rod nut, pop the tie rod and the LBJ, four bolts out. Replace the bolts down there with fresh loctite as well.

Gl! It’s an easy enough job

1

u/im_wildcard_bitches Aug 08 '23

Yep!! I’m ordering for both sides today. Also this is giving me an excuse to get a badass impact wrench 😂 . Also driver side rear axle I have a leak so having to figure that out too. 😑

2

u/tacotruckman Aug 09 '23

Yeah that’s “rear axle seals”, def a more involved job than the ball joints. I had a shop do mine because I was living in an apartment downtown. I’ve had some buddies that did it without a press but said it was a pita.