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First gen lower ball joints

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by 98_3RZ_NIC, Jan 18, 2021.

Page 1 of 7
  1. Jan 18, 2021 at 2:58 PM
    #1
    98_3RZ_NIC

    #1
    98_3RZ_NIC [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100’s with ome 881 coils on lowest setting, JBA upper control arms, LCE header, 31x10.5x15 falken wildpeaks.
    $360 for oem lower ball joints. I see all these threads about don’t buy after market lowers so looks like I’m spending $360!
     
    98_3RZ_NIC, Jan 18, 2021
    #1
    Freck and travis.diller like this.
  2. Jan 18, 2021 at 2:59 PM
    #2
    Kwikvette

    #2
    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

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    Shop online Toyota Parts like McGeorge, Camelback, etc.
     
    Kwikvette, Jan 18, 2021
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  3. Jan 18, 2021 at 3:10 PM
    #3
    98_3RZ_NIC

    #3
    98_3RZ_NIC [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100’s with ome 881 coils on lowest setting, JBA upper control arms, LCE header, 31x10.5x15 falken wildpeaks.
    I did find them for $115 each on mcGeorge
     
    98_3RZ_NIC, Jan 18, 2021
    #3
    Kwikvette[QUOTED] likes this.
  4. Jan 18, 2021 at 3:26 PM
    #4
    98_3RZ_NIC

    #4
    98_3RZ_NIC [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100’s with ome 881 coils on lowest setting, JBA upper control arms, LCE header, 31x10.5x15 falken wildpeaks.
    do lower ball joints have anything to do with alignment? I’m getting an alignment on Thursday and I wanted to replace the lowers before that and my local Toyota dealer can get me the ball joints Wednesday but $180 a piece is pricy. Can I replace the lowers after I get an alignment?
     
    98_3RZ_NIC, Jan 18, 2021
    #4
  5. Jan 18, 2021 at 3:33 PM
    #5
    Captain Magma

    #5
    Captain Magma Well-Known Member

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    Shouldn't affect your alignment at all, provided you don't touch your outer tie rods beyond popping them out and back in. Wouldn't be a bad idea to get an alignment if you have a firestone lifetime deal or have one scheduled already (in your case), but I wouldn't go out of my way to get an alignment otherwise.

    I'll add that what @Sicyota04 said is also a good idea. If you're planning on changing out any additional front end components, get a firestone lifetime or plan on doing the work in bunches followed by an alignment. Changing old worn out shocks, tie rods, bushings, etc. will change it since your last alignment was probably set with these worn out components and will now be off just by having fresh parts in there for the first time in a while. Just food for thought.

    Parts I've used for my 02 and 03 double cab, should be the same for you

    $165 43330-39556 Suspension Ball Joint
    43330-39556
    $143 43340-39436 Ball Joint Assembly
    43340-39436
    90119-10933 8ea, 4/side, bolts for lbj
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2021
    Captain Magma, Jan 18, 2021
    #5
    98_3RZ_NIC[OP] and Sicyota04 like this.
  6. Jan 18, 2021 at 3:33 PM
    #6
    Sicyota04

    #6
    Sicyota04 Slowly but surely.

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    Anytime you take apart front end components like that. You want to get an alignment. I got an alignment anyways.
    When I got new OEM Ball joints in 2017. I remember one side being cheaper then the other. Can’t remember which side that was though.
     
    Sicyota04, Jan 18, 2021
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    98_3RZ_NIC[OP] and Captain Magma like this.
  7. Jan 18, 2021 at 3:41 PM
    #7
    98_3RZ_NIC

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    98_3RZ_NIC [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100’s with ome 881 coils on lowest setting, JBA upper control arms, LCE header, 31x10.5x15 falken wildpeaks.
    yeah I got the lifetime alignment plan. I replaced my coil overs with bilstein and new JBA upper control arms. While I was doing all that I noticed my lower ball joint boot was ripped so I’m replacing those too.
     
    98_3RZ_NIC, Jan 18, 2021
    #7
    Captain Magma[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Jan 18, 2021 at 3:42 PM
    #8
    Kwikvette

    #8
    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

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    Installing new LBJ?

    No.

    If you were replacing your LCA bushings however, yes.
     
    Kwikvette, Jan 18, 2021
    #8
    Wyoming09 and 98_3RZ_NIC[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  9. Jan 18, 2021 at 3:47 PM
    #9
    98_3RZ_NIC

    #9
    98_3RZ_NIC [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100’s with ome 881 coils on lowest setting, JBA upper control arms, LCE header, 31x10.5x15 falken wildpeaks.
    yeah not replacing the bushings they seem fine. Just the LBJ’s.
     
    98_3RZ_NIC, Jan 18, 2021
    #9
  10. Jan 18, 2021 at 3:48 PM
    #10
    98_3RZ_NIC

    #10
    98_3RZ_NIC [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100’s with ome 881 coils on lowest setting, JBA upper control arms, LCE header, 31x10.5x15 falken wildpeaks.
    Thanks for that mcGeorge website. Just ordered both ball joints and shipped to my house was only $260!
     
    98_3RZ_NIC, Jan 18, 2021
    #10
    Kwikvette[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Jan 18, 2021 at 3:50 PM
    #11
    eon_blue

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    eon_blue If I would, could you

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    There is no adjustment to be made in the lower ball joints for alignment if that's what you mean, but if your lower ball joints are bad it can definitely affect your alignment.
     
    eon_blue, Jan 18, 2021
    #11
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  12. Jan 18, 2021 at 3:51 PM
    #12
    98_3RZ_NIC

    #12
    98_3RZ_NIC [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100’s with ome 881 coils on lowest setting, JBA upper control arms, LCE header, 31x10.5x15 falken wildpeaks.
    the part numbers for the ball joints I ordered were driver side: https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota....hY29tYSZ5PTE5OTgmdD1zcjUmZT0yLTdsLWw0LWdhcw==

    passenger side: https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota....hY29tYSZ5PTE5OTgmdD1zcjUmZT0yLTdsLWw0LWdhcw==
     
    98_3RZ_NIC, Jan 18, 2021
    #12
  13. Jan 18, 2021 at 3:51 PM
    #13
    98_3RZ_NIC

    #13
    98_3RZ_NIC [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100’s with ome 881 coils on lowest setting, JBA upper control arms, LCE header, 31x10.5x15 falken wildpeaks.
    Yeah I’m gonna replace them before I go get an alignment.
     
    98_3RZ_NIC, Jan 18, 2021
    #13
  14. Jan 18, 2021 at 7:00 PM
    #14
    whitetaco01

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    whitetaco01 Well-Known Member

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    I just bought OEM from a dealership for 125 with bolts a pair. Not great, but not the worst I’ve seen
     
    whitetaco01, Jan 18, 2021
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  15. Jan 18, 2021 at 7:10 PM
    #15
    98_3RZ_NIC

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    98_3RZ_NIC [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100’s with ome 881 coils on lowest setting, JBA upper control arms, LCE header, 31x10.5x15 falken wildpeaks.
    $125 for the pair!?
     
    98_3RZ_NIC, Jan 18, 2021
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  16. Jan 18, 2021 at 7:15 PM
    #16
    whitetaco01

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    whitetaco01 Well-Known Member

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    sorry I definitely wrote that wrong. 250 total with bolts
     
    whitetaco01, Jan 18, 2021
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  17. Jan 18, 2021 at 7:21 PM
    #17
    98_3RZ_NIC

    #17
    98_3RZ_NIC [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100’s with ome 881 coils on lowest setting, JBA upper control arms, LCE header, 31x10.5x15 falken wildpeaks.
    Oh gotcha! yeah I paid $260 for both and I don’t think they came with bolts but they did come with cotter pins and the castle nut.
     
    98_3RZ_NIC, Jan 18, 2021
    #17
  18. Jan 19, 2021 at 11:40 PM
    #18
    CrippledOldMan

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    CrippledOldMan Well-Known Member

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    did you remember to order new ball joint bolts, I don't think there included.
     
    CrippledOldMan, Jan 19, 2021
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  19. Jan 20, 2021 at 5:21 AM
    #19
    98_3RZ_NIC

    #19
    98_3RZ_NIC [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100’s with ome 881 coils on lowest setting, JBA upper control arms, LCE header, 31x10.5x15 falken wildpeaks.
    It said they came with the castle nut and cotter pin.
     
    98_3RZ_NIC, Jan 20, 2021
    #19
  20. Jan 20, 2021 at 6:36 AM
    #20
    Madjik_Man

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    Madjik_Man The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    You should also replace the four bolts (per ball joint - 8 total). Those you have buy separately.
     
    Madjik_Man, Jan 20, 2021
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    98_3RZ_NIC[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
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