So this happened...

[TJS86TOY]

Was backing out of Autozone Sunday and heard what sounded like running over a metal trash can. Put it in drive , same thing. Got out and looked at the Passenger tire and let out one or two curse words. Managed to back her into a parking space the walked home about 2 miles, got the truck and trailer, went back and managed to get it up on the trailer. Got it home and thats when the real damage happened. Pulling it forward I heard another POW! Yup, there went the CV axle! Needle bearings and parts exploded all over the driveway. Took it all apart and at least it's only the upper ball joint and CV (so far). Wierd thing is I JUST checked the ball joints a week before and everything seemed to be nice and tight! So, lesson learned. I will ALWAYS buy OEM on critical parts like ummm stuff that holds the tires on the truck!

[TJS86TOY]

I will add that I am very thankful that this did not happen on my recent trip on the RimRocker to Moab or on the Highway!

[newracer]

So the ball joint went first?

[Jim]

OUCH

So what released - lower ball joint?

Yes, if it had to go - it picked a very good time to go.

[TJS86TOY]

Ya sorry, forgot to state the cause . It was the upper ball joint that separated. Just replaced it last year. Darn AutoZone . Like I said, OEM for now on.

[Heather]

Much yikes. So glad, like you said, that it happened in a parking lot and not just about anywhere else...whew.

[Brian]

Yikes, but good it was someplace close to home and low speed!

[TJS86TOY]

So, thought it just popped out of the socket, nope. Almost a clean shear. Gotta love China.

[Spieg]

Duralast parts? Should change the name to "Everfail".

[JandDGreens]

Glad it happened where it did and not on the highway for sure!

[Chris]

You’re living right my friend! Glad it happened there, OEM is the way to go!

(Says the guy that blew two Chinese CV’s in one season)

[cornpone99]

Thats a lucky spot to have trail damage. Glad your Moab trip went smooth. What trails did you end up doing

[dieseldoc]

Got to love chineses-ium
They seem to think any metal is good for whatever.

CAT was building things there......was!
They would ship a skid steer here through Cali.
Things are lined up on the dock.....
They have mechanics full time plus
All they do is strip a brand new machine completely down and toss every nut and bolt on it.
Can you imagine having a brand new unit no hours on it and it's in a pile

Not even grade 5 where grade 8 or metric 10.5 should be!

Got to love it....

TJ am super glad you hard this happen in a parking lot!

[newracer]

Wow! Talk about a catastrophic failure. Glad it didn't cause a sever accident.

[Java]

That sucks. FWIW it's probably under lifetime warranty at Autozone... :erm:

[redneck23ms]

dang mall crawlers breaking in the parking lot.

[TJS86TOY]

FWIW it's probably under lifetime warranty at Autozone...
Never Again!




dang mall crawlers breaking in the parking lot.

I know , rite!! LOL!

[TJS86TOY]

Thank you for all of your comments. I am really glad as well that the thing didn't fail going down some mountain highway, and going down in a canyon... From my research, they seem to always fail (when they do fail if at all) going slow.

Mabey its time to think about a SAS!

[TJS86TOY]

What trails did you end up doing

http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?26129-RimRocker-to-Moab

[Swank1975]

Man some people will do anything to get out of the trail cleanup. ;)

[GPP33]

Just set up the other side like that TJ. Super high negative camber is the way to, just look at the ricers, they have it dialed in!

On a serious note though looks like a fatigue failure which is scary because they either used something that's way smaller than it needs to be or just didn't bother heat treating the ball stud. Wouldn't be surprised to see the OEM one made in china too, hopefully by someone better though.

It's up to you what you want to do with it but if they have ball studs failing by fatigue then they probably have a recall on their hands. That's a pretty serious safety issue probably tied to non-conforming product. A call to the NHTSA could get the ball rolling and potentially save someone else from a bad wreck. Depending on policy they may cover the cost of other broken parts as well.

[TJS86TOY]

Just set up the other side like that TJ. Super high negative camber is the way to, just look at the ricers, they have it dialed in!

On a serious note though looks like a fatigue failure which is scary because they either used something that's way smaller than it needs to be or just didn't bother heat treating the ball stud. Wouldn't be surprised to see the OEM one made in china too, hopefully by someone better though.

It's up to you what you want to do with it but if they have ball studs failing by fatigue then they probably have a recall on their hands. That's a pretty serious safety issue probably tied to non-conforming product. A call to the NHTSA could get the ball rolling and potentially save someone else from a bad wreck. Depending on policy they may cover the cost of other broken parts as well.Tons of internet searching about the issue and the most common issue seems to be the Lower ball Joint failing. Some UBJ issues on the net but not as common. Appears that several people have tried to sue Toyota for the issue without success and Toyota did issue a recall for the LBJ but not upper. So that leaves me with a few options, Sell it and buy a Jeep, SAS it, or Buy a Uniball upper A-Arm kit. None of which appeal to me since it's not my primary wheeling rig, but that safety thing will be ever present in the back of my mind until I figure something out. Anyone have a lifted Jeep for cheap! :)

[dieseldoc]

TJ sucks to here about this issue.
Ball joints are no joke. Am wondering if a different manufacturer would be a better option.
Hope you can keep you Yota. It's a nice easy trail runner daily driver.
You got the big hard core one already!

Again glad it happened in a parking lot!

[TJS86TOY]

Thanks Brandon. The one that broke was from AutoZone, dura garbage or something. It was the only non OEM joint on the truck. The rest are fine and went back to OEM for a replacement. I'll keep it im sure, as I really like it for a mild trail rig and DD. Never know, just might motivate me to SAS it :)

[dieseldoc]

Well if you SAS will ORI's make it under the truck?
Glad you got OEM parts hope that will work out.

We got to get out and play brother.....got a new ride!

[TJS86TOY]

Funny, ORI's had crossed my mind . Saw that you had a fancy Jeep Now! That thing looks Nice! Been contemplating your China run but Alex and I may run HC that weekend. What level of trail are you comfortable taking the new rig on?

[dieseldoc]

Hmm.....7 maybe something tougher with the right folks.

Still don't have a date for Chinnamans.
Am looking to be in Aspen for 4 more weeks.

Love the new Jeep.
For the most part don't have to work on it.
Once the speedometer is right it will be completed.
The dealership still can't get it right.
Was 5 mph slow on the dash now it's 5 mph fast.....Grrrr!


The obsitcals with consiquences could be expensive but this rig has more than a regular Rubicon.

[GPP33]

Tons of internet searching about the issue and the most common issue seems to be the Lower ball Joint failing. Some UBJ issues on the net but not as common. Appears that several people have tried to sue Toyota for the issue without success and Toyota did issue a recall for the LBJ but not upper. So that leaves me with a few options, Sell it and buy a Jeep, SAS it, or Buy a Uniball upper A-Arm kit. None of which appeal to me since it's not my primary wheeling rig, but that safety thing will be ever present in the back of my mind until I figure something out. Anyone have a lifted Jeep for cheap! :)

Don't go Jeep. I have one and it has been a great rig but it it ain't no Toyota. I'd trade the Jeep for a taco in heard beat. There are solutions out there that are beefier than stock, don't involve uni balls and don't require a solid axle swap. I'm with you, those two options suck for a dd. The newer style lowers address the lower ball joint issue, Tension vs compression, we can fix that issue for you. As for the uppers, PM incoming.....