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OEM Ball Joint doesnt fit right - Gurus Needed

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by CakeD, Apr 5, 2018.

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  1. Apr 5, 2018 at 7:15 PM
    #1
    CakeD

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    CakeD [OP] Member

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    Hey Guys,

    I have a 2003 doublecab with a strange balljoint issue that I've never seen before.

    I've installed a set of OEM toyota lower ball joints to find:

    1) The stud tightens to the point that the cotter pin hole passes the castle nut
    2) The joint seems to tighten so much that the boot is mushrooming around the spindle. I only can imagine the lower spindle edge will tear the boot as the truck turns.

    Has anyone seen something like this before? I am assuming the taper of the stud is too small or the taper of the control arm is too loose.

    I'm only assuming this just cant be right...any thoughts?? See picture of mushroomed boot and cotter pin past nut below
    1.jpg
     
    CakeD, Apr 5, 2018
    #1
  2. Apr 5, 2018 at 7:28 PM
    #2
    CakeD

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    CakeD [OP] Member

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    Here is an imagine I found on the forum of another lower ball joint installed.

    You can see how much less mushroomed the boot is and how shorter the stud is.

    Did I get a bad OEM toyota part, or is my control arm NFG?

    2.jpg
     
    CakeD, Apr 5, 2018
    #2
  3. Apr 5, 2018 at 7:34 PM
    #3
    cruxofthebisquit

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    cruxofthebisquit Well-Known Member

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    OME and worth every penny.
    Since you are finding the same problem on both sides I'm thinking you have the wrong parts.

    Is it possible they sold you 2nd Gen. BJ's?

    EDIT: You are correct though, somethings amiss there. That boot wouldn't last a few days.
     
    cruxofthebisquit, Apr 5, 2018
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    Rachelsdaddy likes this.
  4. Apr 5, 2018 at 7:58 PM
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    CakeD

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    CakeD [OP] Member

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    CakeD, Apr 5, 2018
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  5. Apr 5, 2018 at 8:08 PM
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    cruxofthebisquit

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    cruxofthebisquit Well-Known Member

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    OME and worth every penny.
    cruxofthebisquit, Apr 5, 2018
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  6. Apr 5, 2018 at 8:51 PM
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    01GreenTacoma

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    01GreenTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Did you use a torque wrench?
     
    01GreenTacoma, Apr 5, 2018
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  7. Apr 5, 2018 at 9:01 PM
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    cruxofthebisquit

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    cruxofthebisquit Well-Known Member

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    There's no way to over torque the right dimension taper to that point.

    Something's wrong.

    Had that been a Chinese knock off, I'd say they just machined a batch too small but for a Toyota OEM....it has to be a wrong part.

    No way the spindle on both sides are that worn or they would obviously be just wallowed out holes.
     
    cruxofthebisquit, Apr 5, 2018
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  8. Apr 5, 2018 at 9:03 PM
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    jbrandt

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    jbrandt Made you look

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    2nd gens are a completely different design. No possible way.
     
    jbrandt, Apr 5, 2018
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  9. Apr 5, 2018 at 9:04 PM
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    cruxofthebisquit

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    cruxofthebisquit Well-Known Member

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    hmmm.

    That complicates things.

    May have to do some measuring.

    Where were they bought from?

    What kind of shape were the old ones in?
     
    cruxofthebisquit, Apr 5, 2018
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  10. Apr 5, 2018 at 9:18 PM
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    TacoMatt253

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    TacoMatt253 Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Apr 5, 2018
    TacoMatt253, Apr 5, 2018
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    CS_AR likes this.
  11. Apr 6, 2018 at 8:07 AM
    #11
    CakeD

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    CakeD [OP] Member

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    As far as I understand there is a version that comes with new bolts and a version without.
    Apparently the physical ball joint is the same.

    with new bolts:
    $213 43330-39815 Toyota Genuine Parts - Joint Assy, Lwr Ball (43330-39815)
    43330-39815 and
    $201 43340-39585 Toyota Genuine Parts - Joint Assy, Lwr Ball (43340-39585)
    43340-39585
    without new bolts:
    $136 43340-39436 Ball Joint Assembly
    43340-39436 and
    $211 43330-39556 Suspension Ball Joint
    43330-39556

    The "without bolts" part numbers are what was ordered using my VIN number
     
    CakeD, Apr 6, 2018
    #11
  12. Apr 6, 2018 at 8:27 AM
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    TacoMatt253

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    TacoMatt253 Well-Known Member

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    TacoMatt253, Apr 6, 2018
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  13. Apr 6, 2018 at 8:28 AM
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    prayzhm

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    prayzhm Active Member

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    According to Amazon these are the right parts. I am interested in this as I was considering purchasing these.


    upload_2018-4-6_8-25-48.jpg

    upload_2018-4-6_8-27-6.jpg
     
    prayzhm, Apr 6, 2018
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  14. Apr 6, 2018 at 8:31 AM
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    JonathanH

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    JonathanH Well-Known Member

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    Correct. 2nd gen ball joints come with the control arms.

    upload_2018-4-6_11-31-30.jpg
     
    JonathanH, Apr 6, 2018
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  15. Apr 6, 2018 at 8:40 AM
    #15
    TacoMatt253

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    TacoMatt253 Well-Known Member

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    To me, that appears to be the pre-runner lbj
    C92873B5-1F90-4B76-840D-2ACB7BCA41F3.jpg
    Edit:
    This part number says it would not fit my 99...maybe something is different on the early tacos? The parts I bought say that they would also fit the later first gens though...so I don’t know
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2018
    TacoMatt253, Apr 6, 2018
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  16. Apr 6, 2018 at 8:50 AM
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    01GreenTacoma

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    01GreenTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Pretty sure the pre-runner and 4wd are interchangeable.
     
    01GreenTacoma, Apr 6, 2018
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  17. Apr 6, 2018 at 8:51 AM
    #17
    01GreenTacoma

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    01GreenTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Not saying it’s not an issue with the taper, but I have seen overtightenedd upper and lower ball joints press too deep into the control arm holes from excess torque “I.e. cheater pipe”. When this happens you have to replace the whole arm....
     
    01GreenTacoma, Apr 6, 2018
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  18. Apr 6, 2018 at 8:51 AM
    #18
    TacoMatt253

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    TacoMatt253 Well-Known Member

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    I would’ve thought so too.
     
    TacoMatt253, Apr 6, 2018
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  19. Apr 6, 2018 at 9:51 AM
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    cgause

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    cgause Member

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    Do you have a ball joint for a 2wd non-prerunner or non-4x4??
     
    cgause, Apr 6, 2018
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  20. Apr 6, 2018 at 10:34 AM
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    cory02taco

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    cory02taco Well-Known Member

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    Am I the only one who sees the description as 95-02 and the op's truck is an 03?
    Or maybe that just pertains to the 4Runner as their 4th gen started in 03.
     
    cory02taco, Apr 6, 2018
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Page 1 of 2

Products Discussed in

TOYOTA 43330-39556 Suspension Ball Joint
$210.35
Toyota Genuine Parts - Joint Assy, Lwr Ball (43330-39815)
$212.95
Genuine Toyota 43340-39436 Ball Joint Assembly
$135.94
Toyota Genuine Parts - Joint Assy, Lwr Ball (43340-39585)
$200.23
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