Ball joints oem or kit

I have 190k and getting ready to do ball joints,u joints and what ever else. Has new shocks front and back from 3rd gen. Are the kits like trq, autogeeks etc any good or is the any recommendations?

 

If we are talking about upper control arm (UCA) ball joints, you might be better off looking for a gently used/new set of 3rd gen take-offs instead of pressing ball joints. Usually can find them relatively cheap, maybe cheaper than bare joints themselves.

If we are talking lower control arms, OEM full replacement arms are the way to go. Order them online instead of your dealership, it will save money. IIRC if you want to buy OEM LCA ball joints you have to order them from the middle east (possibly a dealer in the UAE? don't quote me, there is a thread on it somewhere around if you search). Can't buy OEM quality replacement joints locally from what I recall.

Some people seem to have luck with aftermarket joints or full replacement arms, but at least in my perception from reading lots of threads here it seems equal amounts of people have problems going that route.

 

OE. The originals went 10yrs and 200k spend the extra knowing your good for that again. Plenty of dealers that sell online and ship.

 

^ What he said

 

I'm actually working on my lower ball joints right now. I'm pressing mine out to install new ones. I bought some Moogs (yeah, I heard mixed reviews about this brand, but I like the idea of the grease-able zerk fitting. Only time will tell.

Word of advice, if you're going the press route, make sure you get a master set for the receiving tube. The tacoma's lca knuckle uses a special size that's not in your traditional kits. I called around all the local auto shops and they just have the basic press that I bought.

My truck is still sitting on jacks until Amazon delivers my hopefully correct size receiving tube tomorrow. What a pain, no wonder there's not many vids/info about pressing joints out. Guess most people just buy the LCA with the new ball joint already in.

 

If the OP goes this route, I may have a set of 3rd gen OEM UCA's in my basement stash of parts that I could part with for very little money.

 

Too stroked. Yeah that be awesome . J4wagoner@gmail.com

 

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