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Lower ball joint p/n confusion

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by hunter0611, Jul 10, 2025 at 4:16 PM.

  1. Jul 10, 2025 at 4:16 PM
    #1
    hunter0611

    hunter0611 [OP] New Member

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    02 Tacoma 4x4 TRD
    Hello, I just recently got a 02 tacoma 4wd double cab that has about 140k. I have no clue whether the lbjs have been replaced recently or at all so I decided to order lbjs from toyota. From what I could find online the correct lbjs should be 43330-39556 for the passenger side and 43340-39436 for the driver side. I got them and it would seem that the driver side part number is incorrect. See images below of parts:

    43340-39436 driver side

    43330-39556 passenger side

    It might be hard to tell from the picture but the drivers side ball joint has a much more gradual angle for the bracket that goes to the tie rod end. The tie rod bore is also too small to fit the tie rod bolt. The passenger side appears to be normal and looks like it is the same as the one currently on the vehicle.

    my confusion is that everywhere online seems to confirm that these should be the correct part numbers, and even when ordering from Toyota they were vin verified as exact fit. I have also seen two other part numbers listed, 43330-39815 for the passenger side and 43340-39585 for the driver side. The images on the Toyota site for these part numbers both have the same almost vertical bracket going to the tie rod so my plan is to return 43340-39436 for 43340-39585.

    so, can anyone confirm whether I actually received 43340-39436 or is it possible that a different ball joint was mislabeled with the wrong part number and sent?? Internet says the brackets on both sides should look nearly identical except for orientation and I can confirm that both lbjs currently on the vehicle look like 43330-39556.
     
  2. Jul 10, 2025 at 4:26 PM
    #2
    Andy01DblCabTacoma

    Andy01DblCabTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Madjik_Man likes this.
  3. Jul 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM
    #3
    hunter0611

    hunter0611 [OP] New Member

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  4. Jul 10, 2025 at 4:40 PM
    #4
    Andy01DblCabTacoma

    Andy01DblCabTacoma Well-Known Member

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    F: Kings SPC, R: 5100s+J59s. Custom armor.
    I'd follow up with them.

    Do you have a caliper to measure the bore for the tie rod? That should for sure be the same side to side. If it's different, then I would suspect that ball joint was mislabeled somewhere along the line.
     
  5. Jul 10, 2025 at 4:58 PM
    #5
    hunter0611

    hunter0611 [OP] New Member

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    02 Tacoma 4x4 TRD
    Ok I will call them in the morning and see what the deal is.

    just roughly measured them with measuring tape and top diameter on drivers side is 9/16”, bottom is 10/16”. Passenger side top diameter is 11/16”, bottom is 12/16”. So it’s about 1/8” smaller on driver side compared to passenger
     
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