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eBay ball joint kits

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by dayron44, Jul 28, 2017.

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  1. Jul 28, 2017 at 9:28 AM
    #1
    dayron44

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    dayron44 [OP] Member

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    dayron44, Jul 28, 2017
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  2. Jul 28, 2017 at 9:31 AM
    #2
    Burnett

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    Burnett Well-Known Member

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    OEM lower ball joints are the only way to go. Just Google ball joint failure Tacoma and see what happens with eBay ball joints after a few miles
     
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    Burnett, Jul 28, 2017
    #2
  3. Jul 28, 2017 at 9:38 AM
    #3
    jbrandt

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    jbrandt Made you look

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    I'm certainly not one of the "Factory OEM or nothing" nazis but I'd be weary of buying a kit like that that costs as much as a single ball joint from a reputable company. MOOGs are perfectly fine, I've been running them on my truck for more than 6 years. Lot of people have. I don't believe that factory is the ONLY option, but I do have standards, and paying $80 (less than the cost of a factory BJ) for 4 ball joints and 4 inner/outer tie rod ends is pretty far below that standard.

    Is there any particular reason you're looking to replace ALL that stuff? It's probably not necessary, especially when on a budget. Just get under there and look for signs of wear or slop and only replace those parts.

    I've got a set of 555 lower ball joints coming from Low Range Off-road that cost $60 each, and outer tie rod ends that were $25 a piece. MOOGs are a little cheaper and, really, are just fine.
     
    jbrandt, Jul 28, 2017
    #3
    OneWheelPeel likes this.
  4. Jul 28, 2017 at 9:49 AM
    #4
    vasinvictor

    #4
    vasinvictor Junkie

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    I'm not an OEM or nothing guy either, but you realllly shouldn't skimp on lower ball joints. Moog should be fine, but OEMs aren't that much more from an online retailer.
     
    vasinvictor, Jul 28, 2017
    #4
  5. Jul 28, 2017 at 9:50 AM
    #5
    Burnett

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    Burnett Well-Known Member

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    I'm no nazi.... See
    the-tragically-powerful-story-behind-the-lone-german-who-refused-to-give-hitler-the-nazi-salute.jpg
     
    Burnett, Jul 28, 2017
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    Kevins60, Dalandser, ToxicTwin and 1 other person like this.
  6. Jul 28, 2017 at 10:00 AM
    #6
    jbrandt

    #6
    jbrandt Made you look

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    The look on his face is priceless. I think he's contemplating how much he just spent on ball joints...

    :)
     
    jbrandt, Jul 28, 2017
    #6
    Dalandser, cruxofthebisquit and rkntoy like this.
  7. Jul 28, 2017 at 10:56 AM
    #7
    eon_blue

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    eon_blue Most Improved Member

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    Moog versus OEM debate aside, I think we can all agree that going with a cheap eBay no-name brand for LBJ's is a big, resounding NO NO
     
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    eon_blue, Jul 28, 2017
    #7
    Bivouac, jbrandt and 99SuperTaco4x4 like this.
  8. Jul 28, 2017 at 10:56 AM
    #8
    ghs57

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    ghs57 Well-Known Member

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    At that price, they look like cheap imported (from a big asian country) junk. Knowing the design issues with our tacoma LBJs, why would you put your trust in something like that?

    I'm running Moog inner/outer TREs, but will probably go OEM for the LBJs. Consider the durability and longevity of OEMs, or to a lessor degree, Three Five (555), over those.
     
    ghs57, Jul 28, 2017
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  9. Jul 28, 2017 at 10:59 AM
    #9
    jbrandt

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    jbrandt Made you look

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    Certainly.

    We all have our price points, and we all have our own risk analysis we need to do based at least partly on how much money we have to spend.

    If you're really cash strapped, don't get a whole kit, only replace the parts that NEED replacing, and spend a bit more for a reputable brand but only for the parts that are genuinely worn out.
     
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    jbrandt, Jul 28, 2017
    #9
    eon_blue[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Jul 28, 2017 at 12:27 PM
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    dayron44

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    dayron44 [OP] Member

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    Nah just curios that's all. Didn't seem like a smart choice but you never know maybe it's worked for someone. Thanks guys! Ps new here and tacos.
     
    dayron44, Jul 28, 2017
    #10
  11. Jul 28, 2017 at 12:50 PM
    #11
    OneWheelPeel

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    OneWheelPeel Well-Known Member

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    OneWheelPeel, Jul 28, 2017
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  12. Jul 28, 2017 at 12:58 PM
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    rkntoy

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    rkntoy Well-Known Member

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    Bend, OR
    [​IMG]

    And she has the lasso of truth...
     
    rkntoy, Jul 28, 2017
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    Dalandser likes this.
  13. Jul 28, 2017 at 1:37 PM
    #13
    Dirty Pool

    #13
    Dirty Pool FLIES ON THE FRIES, KETCHUPS WATERED DOWN

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    Dirty Pool, Jul 28, 2017
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  14. Jul 28, 2017 at 4:58 PM
    #14
    ghs57

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    ghs57 Well-Known Member

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    Now that's scary, considering I'm running those TREs.
     
    ghs57, Jul 28, 2017
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  15. Jul 28, 2017 at 5:23 PM
    #15
    dayron44

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    dayron44 [OP] Member

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    Never even googled it. I mean I've bought some eBay stuff but never anything this critical. Like I was was more curious than anything
     
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    dayron44, Jul 28, 2017
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  16. Jul 28, 2017 at 6:30 PM
    #16
    cruxofthebisquit

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    cruxofthebisquit Well-Known Member

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    OME and worth every penny.
    Those Detroits are the worst of the worst. Total junk.
     
    cruxofthebisquit, Jul 28, 2017
    #16
  17. Aug 20, 2022 at 3:48 PM
    #17
    YodaLovesTacos4x2

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    YodaLovesTacos4x2 Active Member

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    Camper bed cap, led fog lights, LED/HID upgrade kits for highs & lows, custom paint job, +/- 4" lift (more like 3" on the driver's side and 5" on passenger side...gotta love the taco lean), big 5 wire upgrade, custom painted interior, satin black paint job that looks like shit because it was my first time painting a vehicle, custom audio system and a big booty butt load of random off road and work lights. That being said it is a DLX and I really didn't need to do any mods because obviously it's the DELUXE edition
    Just want to comment on this as I purchased one of these ebay kits and I will never do it again. Sure enough going 70mph on I 95, lower ball joint bolt was sheared and then wiggled free on the driver's side. I was ok thankfully but it destroyed my essentially brand new tire. Upon inspecting the ball joints I noticed that grease was leaking out of almost everyone and they were all extremely rusted after only 8 months of driving. I'm no expert but this doesn't seem normal. Anyways if anyone is reading this and considering buying one of these eBay kits I highly recommend to just go with the mooogs. It's worth the extra $ trust me!
     
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    YodaLovesTacos4x2, Aug 20, 2022
    #17
  18. Aug 20, 2022 at 5:04 PM
    #18
    O'Silver_Taco

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    O'Silver_Taco Well-Known Member

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    I like the napa premium parts for these......I get the zerts, and all rubber parts are synthetic....
    Even with my rewards discount .......one lower ball joint from them cost as much as your entire kit.....

    CIMG4819.jpg
     
    O'Silver_Taco, Aug 20, 2022
    #18
  19. Aug 21, 2022 at 6:41 AM
    #19
    Kwikvette

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    Kwikvette Chief Executive Officer at Kwik Fab

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    Granted you posted on a 5 year old thread, there are many, many, Many people suggesting in every other thread that you stick to OEM lower ball joints.
     
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    Kwikvette, Aug 21, 2022
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  20. Aug 21, 2022 at 9:59 AM
    #20
    Bivouac

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    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    When Toyota lower Ball joints are no longer to be had then what??
     
    Bivouac, Aug 21, 2022
    #20
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