It happened to me and it can happen to you.... Another NOT oem part failure with pictures

Those are Toytec Coilovers with the height adjustable Bilsteins. Eibach coil springs. They ride quite nice actually.

 

@Xbeaus which ball joints were out the fastest, upper or lower. I know my 1st gen had 1 lower replaced on a TSB. Truck now has 132k miles. I'm going to give it a good looking over when the weather warms up. Front end components, ball joints, bushings on just about everything. Front and rear shocks. How hard was it to swap those ball joints out. Off topic question, but how do you like your Hankook tires. I'm on my second set, and really like them. I had one flat with my first set, and one with the new ones so far. Also, should I consider changing all four ball joints at the same time.

 

@PennSilverTaco Now way should your insurance company pick up the tab for that crash. Did the cops show up. A police report should have shown, whom was at fault, and I would have made sure that his insurance company was sent a copy. My oldest daughter had a similar incident. Preacher runs a stop sign, slams into the right front fender of 95 escort. Then attempts to tell her it's her fault. He tried to leave the scene, but she made him follower her to our house. We then proceeded to the local Police Department, and they figured out, he, was at fault, by looking at both cars, and the location was just down the street. I would have fought tooth and nail over that crap.

 

@cruxofthebisquit I've lived in Houston, Conroe, Alvin, Midland, Odessa, Victoria, Edna, San Antonio, Lam Passes, Addicks, Austin, and yes you have to pay sales tax, but you don't have to pay a State Income Tax. Be happy.

 

Someone's very unholy!

 

@PennSilverTaco, I told this guy, I didn't care who he was, Preacher or not. You don't tell a 17 year old new driver to ever leave the scene of an accident. I was ready to punch his lights out, and he knew it. When we got to the Police station, they had to make me walk away, when he started telling his lies about it being her fault. My blood pressure was over the moon that day.

 

Yikes...I just replaced mine with 555’s. Got them for $75 a piece. Almost went with the moogs and holy shit am I glad I didn’t...my original ones had 195k and were dry, seized and squeaky.
I did notice the new 555 had a zerk which is pretty sweet..not sure where I’m going with this response lol other than I feel the ones I got are decent and came in a sweet box with a bunch of Japanese writing on them.

 

@Logger where did you get the 555. I saw them on Parts Geek and their stated as OEm parts supplier. about $180 bucks for the 2 lower, and $40 for the upper. Is the upper ball joint the same for both sides, because I'm only seeing one listed, and I'll have to press the old one out first.

 

It might be a crap shoot BUT the 'moog problem solver' LBJ's that I got off rockauto for $40 each (01 2.7 4x4) were both Three Five with a zerk fitting, sitting in a moog box. Cast 555 clearly visible and no blue bullshit in sight.

 

can someone post me the Toyota OEM part numbers for the upper and lower ball joints for a 2003 Tacoma TRD Crew Cab auto transmission. I'd really appreciate it. Also, what Toyota dealer are you getting the best prices from the days.

 

Camelback toyota talk to @gunny1005

 

Wow weird...I know the ones I got were originally 139.00 each but I got them at cost through a friend.

I seem to have faith in the 555 after reading posts on here but I probably should’ve just got OEM and be done. We’ll see when I post back on here when they fold and snap in 20k

 

One of my original LBJ's failed at 225k. I noticed the wheel wouldn't auto center as well one day and it was because of that. It was dry as a bone under the boot.

Just replaced a set on a customers truck this past weekend. 107k miles on the passenger side original LBJ, and about 20k on some no name LBJ on the driver side that some tire shop installed. The no-name already had a torn boot and was dry.

I'll stick with OEM for not much more money. Plus they come with the four spindle bolts. Thread lock those suckers.

 

Hmmm... I got a new OEM steering rack and inner and outer tie rods installed on my truck when I got it last
spring. The little dealer I bought it from had already done some work in that area, to get it sellable I guess...



That stuff came from O'Reilly's. My steering was greatly improved by the steering rack and tie rods,
but there's a clunk noise when making low speed turns on smooth roads that I'm sure doesn't
belong.

-Mike "perhaps the cv joints and ball joints should become OEM..."

 

You’re right thats dry as a bone, it reminds me of japanese bearings and japanese motorcycle suspension,(has fish oil!!!) but whats worse those were factory. I wonder if they would have lasted if they were taken apart before install and greased properly. Good luck glad you are running factory parts now and the damage was the truck not you or you’re family!

 

Some ball joint experience - sorry if this is long winded but.. Back in 97 I had a 76 Ford Bronco. Lifted, 33" Mud Terrains. Replaced the Balljoints with Moog (bought at Napa). Beat the hell out of that thing and even jumped it. Never had a ball joint failure. Granted - the ol' Ford was a lot stronger with Some Wild Horse Pre-runner coils and solid front end.

Replaced my 98 Tacoma Upper and Lower with "Napa Chassis" ball joints as where I bought them they don't have Moog anymore. IMO they downgraded their quality and are selling cheaper, crappier parts now. Got about 10K miles on those Napa ones before they failed. I should have checked them over more and maybe I could have saved them with more grease but damn - that sucked.

Now I have OEM and I will check them out more and they seem like more quality of a part for sure.

I love those tires. I don't know how long it will take to wear them out. The 1st Gen doesn't weight that much so they don't wear out that fast. I will be looking at getting more when they retire.

 

These on the list are upper ball joints. I wonder what is in the the lower. If the LBJ is clunking your driving days are already counted.

 

you better go delete or edit all of your old posts in case someone goes searching then