Ball joints an end arm fun!!

So was told my lower ball joints were bad by the alignment man I go to. So I ordered a set of Moog replacements an received them and got them out an manipulated the spindle and it just felt like metal grinding metal in both. So I am no ball joint expert but that just didnt seem right so I ate the expense of getting Toyota ones. Manipulated the spindle an it was as smooth as glass. Replaced them however the joint separator gashed my tie rod end boots that were already kinda cracked an fading . So can anyone PLEASE tell me where I can get decent after market tie rod ends? Or maybe I could just replace the boots if they make those?? Moog was my go to years ago but after the ball joints I dont feel real confident with them.

 

OEM/Toyota outer tie rods are cheap, just get those. I think I paid like $60 or so for the pair of them 4ish years ago.

OEM inner tie rods on the other hand, are not cheap

 

I am definitely not touching the inner ones

 

I went with 555 brand on mine, both inner and outer from low range off road

 

555 was the exact same part Moog sent me in the lower ball joints

 

I just checked its 140$ for the pair of outer ones now.......gotta love todays prices

 

Ouch...check on McGeorge Toyota's parts dept website, they usually have the best prices online these days. But that's still much higher than it was

If going aftermarket, I would look at the 555 branded ones like mentioned above

 

The 555 brand from Japan were the parts Moog sent me for the lower ball joint

 

I am dropping from my 31x10.50R15s to 235x75R15s as well not that that is gonna make a difference. I was just trying to get the ball joints done PLUS the tires to do the alignment. Maybe I will just ride these tie rod ends until I get my tires like a week or 10 days from now. If I repack them with as much moly lithium grease as possible the will hold up until then??? They arent bad right now just the boots are cracked.

 

Go OEM.

It was suggested before to go OEM and now that you went through Moog parts, you see why.

 

Yeah I already ordered them

Yes!!! I already ordered them I am just gonna keep the old ones on until my tires come in because I am not paying for 2 alignments in 10 days. I hope that isnt gonna cause a problem but I have no clue!

 

The smaller tires I am still kinda iffy on but they were what the truck rolled of the line with. Well the truck new had 225x75 15s....I am going Michelin Defenders 235x75 15s

 

Yes. McGeorge’s are cheaper at $46.20 a piece

 

Yup that will do the trick!! Thanks for the link!

 

You can repair the boot if the tie rod is in good condition and grit has not went through it.

 

Moog lower ball joints are dangerous for 1st gen Tacomas. Had a customer come in recently, creaking when turning. His 6 month old moog LBJ's were shot. Pry bar moved the spindle away from LCA a full inch, both sides.

Say NO to moog lower ball joints!

 

If certain members on here could read, they'd be very upset by this

 

I can only speak about what I got but what I received from Moog stamped 555 looked great but when you tried to move the joint I could feel metal scrape. I was definitely not going to put them on my truck. Maybe I just got 2 bad ones I dunno. I have a Moog tie rod end on my truck that lasted 7 years. So cant speak to the companies quality now but back then it was great.

 

Where can the boots be purchased? Toyota said they didnt have just the boot had to buy the whole end.

 

https://youtu.be/ILDXVGZjYO4