Ball Joints

Here's more info on why you should buy OEM.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8ZVahKc06o&feature=youtube_gdata_player

www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/299811-moog-quality-some-other-info-ball-joints.html

 

Would you guys put on the boot that covers the lower ball joint, or not? My friend with a 02 4runner he doesn't have his boot on.. Does it even matter?

 

I feel it offers a little added protection when off-road. So yes.

 

Protection from what?

 

I would say contamination, grease in and sand and dirt out. I have them and my have laste a long time.

 

I would add sticks, rocks and various trail debris. Just something to deflect away an object that would otherwise brush or rub up against the BJ boot.

It didn't occur to me that you may not have any now and are wondering if you should. If your question is should you put them back on, then yes. But if your question is, should you buy some to put on, then probably not.

 

Oh no I have them on now, but I was just wondering if I should keep them on or not. I didn't think that it was that big of a deal to keep them on.. My friend doesn't have his on and he went to MOAB and didn't have any problems. But is there any way that I could get a polyurethane bushing for my dust cover?

 

Looks like I finally found the right forum. After reading everything looks like I am going with ome lbj. I was putting on a suspension lift and was having a heck of a time getting my ubj off when I noticed my lbj were both shot. I finally got everything apart after realizing that the lower wasn't the same as the upper as far as what comes out. Anyways do I just need to get the actual ball joints or this piece as well. Like I said I didn't realize that the housing for the ball didn't come out after beating the hell out it and caused some damage. If I do need it, what is it called? I can't seem to find it on the camelback site.

 

That entire piece is the LBJ. The ball joint is installed in that piece. It's sold as one unit.

 

That's considered as part of the LBJ. Here's a pic of my OEM toy ones sitting in the garage right now waiting to go on...

 

Awesome thanks. Also looks like the bushings in this are shot as well. What is this called, I was pretty sure that 1gens don't have swaybars. Is it a stabilizer?

 

They do have sway bars. That's your sway bar end link.

 

Just remove the sway bar.

 

I saw a post that indicated the ball joints on a 2003 are a Toyota recall item.

I have a 2003 2wd base truck...does anyone know if this recall would apply to my truck? if indeed there is a recall on it.



Also, I agree with all the posters who indicated you should stick to OEM or other very high quality parts when it comes to ball joints....the cheap ones will fail

 

A few pages back there's a link to the recall website. Enter your VIN and see if your truck needs to be recalled. Not all trucks were recalled but a lot of them were. If your truck has been to the dealer for service since the recall was announced then they should have mentioned it to you and changed the ball joints.

 

2 wheel drives weren't recalled, 4x4's only.

 

Not true. I have a 2001, 2wd Prerunner and my truck was recalled and the LBJ's were replaced.

 

That arm sticking out with the hole is actually where your tie rod end goes to steer your wheel. Sway bar and end links dont have anything to do with ball joints.

 

After looking at recall it states all 01-04 tacomas. Guess that means 2 wheel 5 luggers and all. Thanks for correcting me.

 

Gonna revive this thread because it seems there is reliable information being given.

I am going to replace my tie rods, inner and outer. Anyone know if aftermarket is a bad idea vs. OEM replacement?

I replaced lower BJ's with OEM but, the price difference between ball joints is much less then when compared to tie rod ends. I am seeing a 100.00 dollar difference with tie rod options. Searched for tierod, tie rod; no answer to this question.