Best lower ball joint?

I think I know the answer most people will give but I gotta know. what's the best lower ball joint for a stock lower control arm? most people I'm sure are going to say OEM which is probably true.

my factory lowers we're getting bad so I replace them with just O'Reilly's brand ball joints because that was what I could get during the weekend. I knew they weren't going to last as long as OEM but Jesus. my driver side at least is already bad after only 15,000 miles tops. granted I do off-road but still that's ridiculous.

I'd almost rather buy new lower control arms so I don't have to install those pressed in joints again. it took me two days a lot of heat and I destroyed one of the new ball joints in the process it was a nightmare.

is OEM and the best should I shell out the money? or is there a good lower control arm you guys have used with a good ball joint. or just a good bomb proof aftermarket beefy lower ball joint. I am going to upsize to 35s before the end of this year.

what's worked for you guys? thanks!

 

I haven't tried these yet but will be my next choice.

Part #: TTX TXMS86568
Line: NAPA Chassis

Price
$74.00

 

I definitely prefer the idea of having a grease zerk. seems like every ball joint or tie rod I try that's ungreasable fails prematurely... I'll check those out thanks!

 

OEM ball joint is the best for durability. To my knowledge Toyota doesn't sell the lower ball joint separately in North America. "Bomb proof" lower control arms from BTF, Dirt King, etc. typically use Moog lower ball joints which are considered a wear item. I guess those control arm mfrs think Moog is the best in the aftermarket.

I'm running Moog lower ball joints in my 4Runner, but I only have about a year and 10k miles on them so can't attest to their durability first hand.

 

I read in a different thread that you can run Hilux lower ball joints. They can be found on eBay.

Take that with a grain of salt..I didn't vet the claim..hah.

 

Options for you.

Rock Auto use Moog CK series greaseable vs RK.
OEMs are more than double the cost but better.
New alignment cams and bolts OEM are about $85 per set need 2 or Bison off road cams abouts $75 which are fixed sides not rounded.

MOOG CK621475 Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint Info
Fits Front Left Upper; 4WD
or Front Left Upper; Pre Runner






$75.79



Add to Cart

MOOG CK621474 Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint Info
Fits Front Right Upper; 4WD
or Front Right Upper; Pre Runner






$80.79



Add to Cart

MOOG CK623262 Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint Info
Front Left Lower; Pre Runner






$122.99



Add to Cart

MOOG CK623263 Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint Info
Front Right Lower; Pre Runner






$123.79

 

In my experience almost every sealed oem ball joint Ive had has been better than greasable ones.

The idea of being able to service is great, being able to grease a joint should extend the life of the joint, but being greasable and servicing it doesnt mean it will necessarily last longer than a quality sealed one.

 

Mevotech uses shintered bearing instead of a polymer bearing, AC Delco Gold might also use a shintered bearing as well. MOOG used to use shintered bearings, and recently switched to polymer bearing material, everyone now says they suck lately.

$23 MOOG K80827 Front Lower Suspension Ball Joint for Toyota Tacoma

MOOG K80827 this MOOG has the metal bearing

 

Those NAPA TTX sintered lowers look pretty good. They're $113 a piece and look pretty beef. I may try those this weekend. not looking forward to it though...


Me and my buddy had to modify one of the cups on his universal ball joint press kits to get the job done the last time. The ball joint was between sizes of 2 of the cups. The slightly larger of the 2 cups we filled with weld so it had enough contact on the surface of the ball joint. Do you guys recommend a specific press kit that fits these best? thanks!

 

I got a pair for $130, installed one and stashed the other. Fit perfect, was definitely OEM. The only noticeable difference between the hilux one and the one I pulled out was shorter threads on the hilux one, but still plenty enough for the castle nut to do its job. Install was a breeze with kit #46 from advance auto, but I did have to break out the 1in milwaukee gun from work to get the old one out using the press. A breaker bar probably would have worked too, but taken way longer.

 

Do you have the link or PN# for them? I know mine are probably going to need to be done soon...haha. Need to bookmark the link!

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154012666304 These are the ones I bought.

 

Toyota doesn't sell lower ball joints for 3rd gens. They sell the complete Lower control arm. Highly recommend a new OEM LCA. It comes with the ball joint and new bushings.

Installing an aftermarket LBJ is a gamble at best. Don't gamble with your safety.

 

Amazon sells a master ball joint press kit. It only comes with extra cups of various sizes. I bought this just for doing Tacoma lower ball joints. So I have 2 kits now.

Again recommend replacing the complete arm. SO much easier to do and more beneficial.

 

Does anyone have the part numbers for OEM LCAs? One of my ball joints is leaking at the boot, so I should probably replace it soon.

 

P/N 4806804060, 4806904060

I bought mine when the bushings got cooked. They didn't come with the hole plugs on the bottom. Hole plug P/N 9095001990.

 

How much is an OEM LCA??

 

That depends on the amount of discount you get.

 

$250

 

I think I'm going to go with these from Ebay. They seem legitimate. Genuine Toyota Suspension Control Arm (Left Front Lower) 48069-04060 | eBay