Ball joint replacement 2001 Tacoma

So my driver side ball joint failed on my 2001 Tacoma 4wd TRD and I'm wondering if there is a suspension upgrade I can do that would eliminate the possibility of another ball joint failure. I've been planning on a 2" suspension lift with bigger tires anyways. Any recommendations on what kit would do this?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

In short, no...the design of the 1st gen lower ball joint is such that it is prone to failure over time. Best thing to do is check them for play regularly, any play in the ball joint means it needs to be changed out. The way it's designed there are constant forces on the joint to pull it apart.

Toyota corrected the design on the 05+ Tacomas so it's the other way around - forces constantly applied to keep the joint together. You don't hear of many 05+ LBJ failures even if they've got 200k+ miles on them.

If you can swing it, I recommend replacing them with OEM Toyota lower ball joints over aftermarket. Even though the design is the same it's better to use high quality parts. Aftermarket is designed the same way but the quality can be questionable.

There is some kind of bracket being tested right now that fits around the LBJ and prevents it from coming apart in the event of failure. There's a thread on here for it somewhere

 

Also, in before the OEM vs aftermarket debate and inevitable 40s and tons comments

 

40s n tons

 

Good info, Man. I will look into the OEM's. Thanks.

 

I saw a recall for lower ball joint maybe Toyota well replace for free since there's a recall

 

They might, I think the recall for was later model 1st gens...I forget the year/s exactly. But his 2001 might be covered since recalls never expire.

 

...will the OEM ball joints you speak of work for a future suspension lift upgrade?

 

The lower ball joints don't require any change or modification with suspension upgrades, unless you're looking to do long travel in which case you'd need all new aftermarket lower control arms.

 

Thanks for the heads up on this, but no recall on my VIN.

 

Basically they would've just given you another set of LBJs, there was a run of them in the early 2000s that had a defect from factory that made them more likely to fail. Mine weren't covered either.

 

I went ahead with the OEM's. They were 100 bucks more so I went for it.

 

I don't know if the 01 - 04 LBJs come with new bolts, I know mine didn't. You'll definitely want new ones, don't reuse the old. If the bolts break the ball joint fails.

There's 8 total, part number for them is 90119-10933

I just googled it to make sure it was correct, I'm seeing they're on national backorder unfortunately. Some dealers should still have them in stock though

 

Depending on which part number you order, some come with bolts. These part numbers do:
Left - https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-lower-ball-joint-4334039585
Right - https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-lower-ball-joint-4333039815

You can also get the exact same bolt from McMaster Carr for 1/3 of the price, and they're sure to be in stock.
https://www.mcmaster.com/95735A635/

 

Mine has the recall do think I could get them to change them out for free? Or is it to much of a hassle

 

It's not actually a recall, as those require a mandatory campaign by the manufacturer to try and fix the issue. This is a technical service bulletin (TSB) from Toyota to replace the balls joints only for a certain VIN range that had the faulty batch of ball joints.

It was very easy for me to take my truck to the local dealership, have them check the VIN, and then schedule it for the ball joint replacement. They actually realized that the TSB had already been done to the truck before I bought it, but replace the ball joints for free anyway.

 

Those lower ball joints say they are for an 3.4L S-Runner. Is that different than for a 3.4L 4x4 Off Road? Sometimes I just can't wrap my head around all the differences in trim.

 

The S-Runner is on the 5 lug frame, 6 lug 4x4s and Prerunners share the same 4x4 frame. But that website says it fits S-Runners and Prerunners which is weird. I think they made a mistake and meant to say 4x4 and Prerunners.

Plug your VIN into www.partsouq.com and it will give you the diagrams with the exact part numbers for your vehicle.

 

They are the ones I ordered and just installed on my truck, I'm pretty sure the S-runner uses the two-bolt 5 lug LBJ so it may just be a mistake.