How My Toyota Balljoint Failure Almost Killed Me ...

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How My Toyota Balljoint Failure Almost Killed Me ... For Business Contact :
Nathan's Porsche Workshop
Po Box 115 Altenburg Mo 63732
[e-mail]

[@blaknoizee]

Toyota IS STILL HONORING the lower front ball joint recall as of 1/25/24 for all 2002-2007 Sequoia's and Tundra platforms. I got mine replaced 3 days ago.

[@EslamG84]

What’s the recall notice

[@HB-yq8gy]

I’m guessing no recall for 09 Tacomas

[@blaknoizee]

@@HB-yq8gy well... if you call your local dealer. You would know. I cant tell you something I havent inquired about.

[@Jimmyky77]

Mines a '01 Tundra 😞

[@s.in.bagger9933]

I just purchased a mint condition mid 2004 Sequoia and was looking at replacing all my ball joints as just precautionary measure after hearing the high failure rate on them. I've noticed when looking around mine didn't look the same as the 2003 model ball joints and mine were more expensive. This video explains why. Thank you!

[@dalvman]

Overall it’s a bad design. They changed it thankfully on newer models. The problem is the ball joint is being pulled on instead of pushed so when your tire goes up it’s pulling down on the ball joint the direction the ball is pressed in, when the ball joint wears it can be pulled out of the socket causing failure and your tire flying off. The newer suspension pushes into the ball joint and they last twice as long and won’t fail like these

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

I would recommend blue loctite on the lower ball joint bolts stops them from backing out like then tend to do

[@americanoracle]

I really wish you did every sequoia KZbin vid. This was so easy to see what you’re doing. Thanks!

[@nordicpride9708]

SANKEI 555 made in Japan. They are the company who made the original Toyota ball joints. Toyota doesn’t make ball joints like any other auto manufacturer. They have a spec/recipe the aftermarket OEM suppliers follow. I prefer using only Japanese parts on my 4runner. No autoparts junk

[@KeepBodyAndSoulTogether]

I went with sankie i hope thats true

[@rushthezeppelin]

Just because they are an OEM supplier doesn't automatically mean that they are meeting OEM specs with their own branded products though just as a warning. That certainly is the case with some things like Denso but not all of them.

[@rdy434]

555 fails too.

[@KeepBodyAndSoulTogether]

@@rushthezeppelin my fear is the design of ball joint differs greatly from Toyotas design they may make Toyotas ball joints but that doesn’t mean it’s exactly the same

[@wbwylie]

One of the best auto repair videos I’ve seen! Well filmed and very informative. Unfortunately, a little too late for me. My lower ball joint had a catastrophic failure and the wheel came off, fortunately at low speed. Get those ball joints checked!

[@oldowl4290]

How many miles at time of failure and what state?

[@nordicpride9708]

@@oldowl4290I’ll guess the Midwest just judging from the offshore oil rig rust situation… I could never live in the rust belt. Worst part of the United States and absolutely decimates good cars. No thanks!

[@bubblerings]

If the boot dissolves from power steering fluid, could happen any time, when grease is gone.

[@zeke2566]

My 2000 tundra had the boot failure ,no lubes then snapped off when I was backing up slowly,my warning which I didn,t realize was the steering at slow speeds getting harder to turn the wheel...........

[@balderramamanuel]

Same happen to me driver side lower ball joint snapped after making a left turn wheel pretty much went under the truck I was lucky as before the turn I was just on the highway going 65 they're pretty easy to replace went ahead and got them and a couple other components replaced

[@gregj9391]

Thanks for making this vid for us. I really appreciate it. I do recommend red threadlocker as mentioned by others. Wouldn't want those bolt to vibrate loose.

[@zeke2566]

😮 I. Also have a 2000 tundra death truck..... what a ride after the left ball joint broke on the 7 mile bridge...Woopie!!!

[@bell9620]

After 225,000 miles on my 3rd gen 4 Runner I replaced the upper and lower ball joints. There was hardly any play in any of them. Went with OEM. A bit more in price but it’s worth it to me. Same goes for when my steering rack needs to be replaced…… OEM.

[@nordicpride9708]

If you flush the ATF and use Mobil 1 it will never need replacing. Unless the pump grenades and contaminates the system. Never seen that happen. These racks just never go bad. They leak because people are dumb and don’t ever replace the fluid.

[@tomconnell2677]

Easy to understand video Thanks, we have 2005 Tundra and 2006 Sequoia and it's getting to be the regular fix up years,175 -195,000 miles

[@sonydominates]

Wow, fantastic video. Love how detailed it is, and props for the lighting too! Will check if the ball joints were ever replaced on my dad's 04 with 300k on it. Thanks!

[@monicjean973]

-mmmm

[@laronrosser294]

Great info! Good to see this up close and detailed. Excellent vid. Thank you, sir.

[@jon-williammurphy9780]

my 06 Tundra passenger lower ball joint just sheared off in a parking garage (during low speed tight right turn) 2 days ago. 230k miles I go offroading a few times a year, nothing to crazy, but rocky stuff that wears on the suspension.

[@klauscottonswab2322]

13:51 You now let everything hang on your ABS/Speed Sensor... Bungie Cords are your Friend! 😄👍

[@dillonkoch72]

Don't wait tell its to late I lost my tire driving down the road. I bought the truck used with 380,000 miles on it. I found out it was already on its 3rd set of ball joints the dealer replaced the last ones under the recall but it still didn't matter. So OEM for lower with freedom offroad upper control arms with 36mm uniballs I haven't had an issue with those yet. But now my wheel bearings are shot. The truck came with 33s when I bought it and I upgraded it to 35s so that might be my fault. Once I'm done with all 4 outer axle seals and all 4 wheel bearings. It will have all new suspension on it now. Rack and pinon, high articulating extended halfshafts,diff drop down kit,OEM lower control arms freedom offroad upper control arms for "4 lift and "5 coilovers from freedom offroad with a extra leaf pack and "2 block in the rear. My calipers were both seized and rotors were warped to. So I bought a big brake kit for a 2015 lexus GX460 with steel braided brake lines. Oh and my masterclyinder and brake booster blew out after putting the 35s on my truck after 6 months as well as the driverside rear wheel bearing blowing out and taking my outer axle seal with it. So it dumped all my diff fluid with it. So all new outer axle seals as well. Cross my fingers nothing else brakes. I do my own repairs but it still doesn't help my wallet out with $8,750 in repairs within months. But it's still cheaper then buying another tundra with the options mine has.

[@ahole5388]

Lost a front wheel in a 97 4 runner. EYE opening experience

[@rickfitzgerald4426]

Very good video! Good job explaining and showing

[@92oilburner]

Great Video. Makes it look easy, which I'm sure it will be when I take this project on this week.

[@myattorneychrist]

A video of Excellency. Thank you so much , just a down to earth presentation. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@erasmoochoa8744]

I bought a tindra 00 a few months ago, the last owner gave it 0.0 maintenenace both low ball joints were only fitted with 2 of 4 bolts on base and main nut loose. Fortunately I detected this contidtion before a catastrophe happens, welding machine, WD-40 and M12X1.25 tapping tool were needed for this mission

[@LADETROIT]

Great camera work

[@Izzy-qv5eb]

Awesome video this man is a pro !

[@zoovaj0013]

Thank for the video keep it up good job

[@koopa816mj1]

My 2000 tundra has been so nice to me. Only broke ball joints when i was going under 20mph. I love my truck but hate those ball joints.

[@chouyang4924]

Great video, love it.

[@tech42long35]

Always enjoy watching Other people work on stuff.. : ) ive had it after 2 decades haha.. Great vid.

[@NathansPorscheWorkshop]

Anything is easier with a lift and a big impact, i was telling phillip tales of before i had a lift and how hard life was lol

[@fleadoggreen9062]

Thank you!! I always wondered how to check those type of ball joints ! How many miles on the vehicle?

[@peturssp]

Yeah, good to watch in real time. Cheers, Phil - New Zealand

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Great informative video

[@duckninja9349]

Great video! Something I'll start looking at around 150K miles.

[@stacydornan9765]

Great vid bro

[@MS-oz2wu]

Really really helpful. How long did it take you to do both lower & upper ball joints? I'm wondering why you didn't do the lower bushings too. T4TV

[@scott-kf1bi]

Awesome video

[@nj2mddude205]

I have nearly 300k miles on my 03 Sequoia. I'm the original owner and have never changed the ball joints. But I've kept spare, new OEM ball joints/control arms in the 3rd row for the last 2 years. I guess I'll make the change soon. Thanks for the video!

[@porkdogx]

I have an 03 Tundra. Toyota had a recall on the lower ball joints. Check with dealer before you do the job. You might get a free-be.

[@silverscout2643]

Did you get it recalled?

[@oldowl4290]

300k???!!! You are 100% playing with fire.. dancing with the devil.

[@nj2mddude205]

I checked my records and discovered that the LBJs were replaced by Toyota at 50k miles. The replacement LBJs had 250k on it before I replaced it recently and were still good. The UBJs and control arm bushings are original with just over 300K miles. No issues. Pretty impressive.

[@CallMeJackWagon]

@@nj2mddude205Same. 05 warrantied in 07 at 35k miles. I just replaced them at 235k miles and they were fine. I firmly believe that all of these horror stories are either non oem lbjs or originals that never got replaced 🤷‍♂️

[@dickgalahad4508]

Well done,, very nice job, Sir

[@keldamanc4227]

Another great video, was waiting for another Sequoia vid. Thanks Nathan!

[@abraham400sb]

You made it look so darn easy

[@DuaneMoore]

Shops looking good brother

[@NathansPorscheWorkshop]

Tomorrow we are getting the wood for the walls in

[@juliohernanblanco5576]

Very helpfull video,thanks

[@NickParkerPhoto]

Great video, thanks

[@ahole5388]

lost the front passenger wheel at 30 mph on a 97 4runner. Not fun, luckily it was on gravel with no traffic. A week prior I was doin 70 on the interstate and my buddy mentioned how nice the old rig drove.

[@oldowl4290]

The change over from smaller to larger LBJs for Tundra was in 04+ but 05-06 to be safe. You can tell because the earlier ones will have 14mm bolts, the larger ones have 17mm bolts. You can upgrade to the larger set by adding the spindles/hubs and lower control arms from the 05-06 (and possibly 04) to your 00-03 tundra/seq. It’s a direct fit. And the original LBJ recall for 05-06 was due to manufacturing defects. Eventually it was also expanded to earlier years because of increased failure rates. Regardless, only use OEM replacements!

[@ivanacillikova1185]

by the way is very nice to watch you , and thx. for knowledge .......

[@jordanacohen9555]

Nice to see more of this.

[@heymanoutdoors7752]

Use OEM and new bolts. Loctite and torque. Change every 100,000 miles but check them often.

[@cyoung4290]

You need to make sure you specify not only the year, the motor size but if it’s a two wheel drive or 4x4… most parts houses list only the 2 wheel drive model, which is a smaller version ball joint… they look identical but when you go to install, you discover everything about the two parts are smaller… I discovered this the hard way

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Fj cruisers, sequoia, 4runner, Tacoma, older tundras, lexus GX series and RX series as well as Highlanders and rav4s

[@hunterjohnson4954]

For a critical part of the vehicle that can kill you or others with a failure of any sort... loctite and torque the darn balljoint bolts please lol.

[@gemanscombe4985]

Check out the stretched brake hose keeping the upright from leaning any further out when doing the upper B/J. Toyota forbids letting a caliper hang from the hose, never mind the rotor, hub, upright and C-clamp press, too. Better to remove and hang the caliper on a hook, and wire the upright to limit outward travel. Really nice shop and he was right about detecting B/J wear. I've never had tapered studs come out by hitting the ends.

[@fullyxflared1217]

the failure point is the joint itself, not the nut falling or backing off

[@MerkinMerrick]

No amount of loctite and tight bolts stops the ball joints from separating themselves

[@jeremiahisaaccanto6411]

@@fullyxflared1217the 4 14mm bolts are known to fail if not torqued to the specified torque spec.

[@jamesbasye2362]

​@@jeremiahisaaccanto6411they arent 14mm and that gun has 65 ft lbs of torque which exceeds the specified torque, are you a mechanic? Did you know 90 percent of mechanics dont torque those to spec, i know a dozen guys that would laugh in your face for pulling out a torque wrench, just grab a fucken ratchet and gooden tight it im certain the ammount of force you put on it will be greater than a torqur wrench

[@fugazi225]

thanks for info

[@v-modsolutions6946]

Simple, awesome!

[@robgrubb420]

well this guy knows his shit. awesome video more gen 1 tacoma stuff

[@maxwellhouse1902]

Yes. there is a snap ring spreader for rings without holes. Vintage New Britain, SK, Craftsman, Snap On, MAC, but prolly not finding one in Harbor Freight or Lowes. IT would be nice if you mentioned how much harder this job is with the vehicle on the ground and not up at shoulder level. Rust belt vehicles will have a much tougher time getting the old parts off. Perhaps Advance Auto or Autozone has that blalst how catastrphic these failures can be. I changed mine at 228k and they werer originals, but the POs of my truck babied my truck with no offroading etc.

[@errolwilcox747]

Had one of these fail (drivers side) and the wheel came off and got jammed up under the vehicle...luckily I was only doing about 5mph or it could have been a catastrophic accident. Toyota should be sued through the roof for this incredibly dangerous design

[@natevanlandingham1945]

Remember watching this I think when it came out. Remembered watching bit but not the actual content of the video. Wide said her first Sequoia was jerking around at full lock. I drove it around in front of the house and then came back. It almost felt like a 4wd when you leave it in and turn on pavement...but ours is 2wd. Look under and the castle nut was one thread from falling off and the ball joint had separate!!😳😬😲. I just replaced the trouble joint with OEM. I will do the other one, just wanted to get it back on the road. I was looking around for a replacement at all the parts places. They all had sketchy names I have never heard in suspension parts...even rock auto had no real names. I don't know what's up with that. I was going to buy a NAPA top of the line joint then saw it was actually cheaper to order from Toyota online and pick it up at the dealer.

[@cidpusa700]

Awesome impressive superb job

[@xrptrdpro4056]

great vid

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

tHanks for the video. Don't know why KZbin sent it...but it was good. tHank KZbin. I like the wood cabinets in the shop...with the window too. It is a classy look.

[@zacatecas2]

Hi from vegas good job

[@chaldoboy1000]

Can I ask if you did use the oem ball joint or that after market ?

[@1999tacotrd]

my upper broke on my 02 tundra luckly it happen when i was coming to a stop and into a turn lane. the whole truck feel down broke my break likes and sensor cable. could had been bad drivving 70mph and that happened. I replaced all them after that

[@Jorge_moya]

How often should the ball joints be replaced? My 2006 had them replaced per recall in 2007. Do I need to replace per miles or years?

[@SecondHalfofLife]

Did you end up doing the tie rod ends as well?

[@Ant.Tarantino]

I have a 2001 Toyota sequoia with about 230k miles. I am definitely going to replace the front ball joints uppers and lowers do I need to replace the rear as well tho?

[@carlturlington4847]

I have a 05 Tundra the ball joints were replaced because of recall at 30,000 miles I'm at 182,000 now. I did the prybar method as you demonstrated no play drives fine. Should I replace?

[@bubblerings]

I got the Bad feeling... my wheel was starting to rumble at over 50 mph... Power steering leak ate all the rubber on ball joint and right control arm... All is very loose... Fixing now.. But, scary to see that... and these videos. 😲

[@nicolastazzone4800]

Buongiorno, complimenti per il video. Qual è il il codice per le testine inferiori per il Prado j90?. Fammi sapere, grazie mille.

[@phslion]

I have a 2002 Sequioa and was just debating replacing the ball joints. I was actually was wondering if the 2005 and newer joints would fit, your the first to mention the different size bolts and pattern. Idk if the effort to swap a 05 or newer spindle over would be worth it.

[@williamfrench9973]

I want a lift in my kitchen too! 😂😂😂

[@samster978]

this seems to be a common issje with Prado 90 series too, scary when they let go

[@morenothing4u]

Page SA74 of the 00-03 Tundra SFM is the inspection procedure.

[@socalsand86]

My 2003 tundra 4x4 feels like a 10 ton dump truck without a load when I hit potholes and dips. When I brake on occasion I feel a sudden jolt or slippage just before the truck stops, 498000 miles and all original suspension except for struts. I can see the upper control arm has lots of play so assuming ball joints are history as well. I bought the truck new.

[@eckharttolle-nq7qu]

Here in TJ, I've Seen about 6 gen 3 4runners with the tire broken off

[@saullicona6656]

Good video thx

[@chazfaz3595]

Nice instructional vid! Thanks. But I'm still wondering..., how did your Toyota balljoint failure "almost kill you"? I missed that somehow.

[@horitauri]

Click bait.......

[@chazfaz3595]

@@horitauri Yep. I do not respect the use of click bait or people who persist in it. Society is full of enough forms of manipulative and deceptive communication tactics already.

[@josephmodesitt]

My problem is when I look for the lower ball joints on toyota parts page for the 2002 tundra 2 different part numbers pop up for the left and right but i dont know the difference. One part number for both is more expensive. Maybe the beefier version? idk

[@dannyv.6358]

Dude, that tie rod end just fell out. I had to crank on it with a press to get mine to seperate. Passenger side with just a bit of rust. 2001 4runner.

[@christinaperez254]

Why would you not fill the ball joint with grease before you install it?

[@hokie9910]

That would be too easy.

[@christinaperez254]

@@hokie9910 we shouldn't let that happen ...true

[@charlespartak2435]

My 06 tundra just blew the lower ball joint on Friday . Insurance has it right now and are leaning towards a total loss. It was that afternoon that i discovered the recall out on them but my vin is strangely not included in the recall.

[@cesarflores8450]

dam. are you a pro auto mechanic ? sure make that look easy. the most ill go is a brake caliper change on my 09 taco.

[@alexmoreno8537]

There is a recall for the lower ball joints!!! They fail and the suspension comes of causing no steeeing control of the vehicle.

[@natevanlandingham1945]

I wonder is there is multiple styles of Toyota joints for first gen? I didn't think I saw a grease fitting on my Toyota joints I just installed, so I went outside to look and see. No grease zerk. Did you happen to take a pic of the part number for this one?

[@dansklrvids7303]

I have the same question!

[@garymichael6899]

The bolts sheared off on mine. I fixed the driver side a while back and it now just happened on passenger side. Just found out ab the recall

[@stymiesnerdly771]

I miss my Sequoia, but love my new-to-me FJ Cruiser. I'll definitely check the lower ball joints when I get it up in the air. I'm about to add an additional trans cooler & change all the ATF in the trans & torq converter. Turns out the shudder some people have dealt with in these can be fixed by changing all the fluid, so I'm just doing it as PM.

[@NathansPorscheWorkshop]

Yes it will fix it , late model sequoia and tundra have that issue the fluid and filter change fixes it , i also secured the deal on the green xb , so maybe more vids on it

[@bmak7874]

Go with the Delphi kind. Good quality and value.

[@bwr3rd]

No thread-lock on the bolts?

[@ExtremeRecluse]

No death wobble or steering wheel shake at around 60?

[@MrGoatman07]

Will the lower or upper ball joint cause shaking when braking? I have replaced pads, rotors, calipers & tie rods. But still have bad shaking when braking. Thanks

[@hokz7283]

In my case there was no shaking but loud clunk on braking. Squeaky sound when turning and a vague steering that refuse to centre after turning left of right. Than it popped out after some months with this symptoms. I thought it was my arm bushes and my steering rack and pinion gone bad😅.

[@silverscout2643]

How much should dealer/ local shop charge?

[@natevanlandingham1945]

Looking on eBay the Toyota ones from a dealer on there are over 3x what you can get the AC delco ones from RockAuto for!! I did see there is a set of supposed OEM lower ball joints on eBay shipped from japan. For $185. Unless there fakes that seems like a good price. They have toyota stickers on the bags...but they can fake anything and do these days. The price difference though between the Delco and the Toyota make me want to go aftermarket even if they only last half as long as you say. It's only my labor at that point.

[@dasjager3653]

SAME I had 4 of my kids and my wife in the truck when it happened

[@P0N0]

Please confirm anyone. Did he rest only the c clamp screw shaft on the "ball" of the joint for removal? And it worked?

[@lilsnoop101]

Do u know what caused the vehicle to be wobble/bouncy? I fixed all my front ball joints and shocks, think it might be rear shocks or ujoints?

[@bodyzoasispersonaltraining9186]

Worn out suspension.

[@borjgon]

Man I gotta check mine, mine drives like a dream no sounds no lights nothing at all and I got 320k miles on my Prius

[@iamjackalope]

I'm spoiled living on the west coast. I don't have to deal with all of the rust from the road salts.

[@butuoyo]

My Sequoia 02 ball joints busted loose going 72 mph, slapping the wheel under the driver side step board. Replaced with a full moog front end. What a ride. Has 348k.

[@NathansPorscheWorkshop]

You almost have to check them every oil change just to be sure

[@mrbmd710]

How long does Mood last?

[@mrbmd710]

xxx moog?

[@silveriocastillo2481]

Wow you are boss of jefes 👍🇱🇷

[@user-zn3hn5be1v]

The video was good but, every toyota truck lower ball joint replacement (because theer was a safety recal for almost 10 years 95-2003 for every model Toyota truck) say to use OEM Toyota parts. Yes they are twice+ the cost of an after market, and he did not use original toyota parts. How I know is original Toyota ball joint replacements do not (and never had) grease fittings. They do not need them but I guess after market ones do.

[@mickeydoolittle2057]

Do you think the lbj catastrophic failures are related to harsh environments? I’m in the SE, and my 2001 Sequoia (257k) has been a family hauler. No heavy towing, no rust. I will do these because I don’t want to tempt fate. I see a lot of these videos with frame rust which has got to weaken components. Also a salt environment is hard on everything.

[@pyrathian]

Buy any high mileage toyota truck and LBJ are the first thing you should do, even if there are no signs of failure.

[@Mrtekem]

The design is bad. The ball joint is inverted. And if it fails will cause the lower arm to drop and wheel to come off. Not sure why toyota engineers did that. Every other car i have, even from 95 have it the proper way. The weight of the vehicle should rest on top of the ball joint. Not hanging onto it for dear life.

[@davidthomits544]

I just did one of these at my job today and struts ball joints were squeaking away strut bushing wiped out

[@Mrtekem]

My Sequoia is a great vehicle. But the frame rust and the lbj design flaw are the only main issues. Folks should only use the Toyota LBJ. The aftermarket are no where as strong to support the weight in this flawed design. I change my LBJ every two years and check them at each oil change. I have seen too many of these pop out on my friends while driving and hitting a pothole

[@bodyzoasispersonaltraining9186]

Dang. Every 2.

[@jhhsss]

What about moog ?

[@Mrtekem]

@@jhhsss i only trust the Toyota LBJ. Original oem. The moog snap too and you can google stories about them.

[@jhhsss]

@@Mrtekem from what I heard the moog problem solver line is better than oem. I’m not sure about standard moog ball joints but I’ve heard nothing but good things about the problem solvers

[@hokie9910]

Mevotech TTX are BEEFY