Lower ball joint replacement recommendations please!

Hey TW folks

I went for a front end alignment this morning only to find out I need to replace my lower ball joints..

Online I see a ton of different options but most I’ve never heard of.
This is my DD that I also do a little weekend wheeling so I want to replace them with the highest quality but I don’t want to spend a ton of $$$

what would you folks recommend?? Oem is awesome but spendy$$

Should I replace my lower control arms also? I’m pretty sure they’re original from 02’ w/ 280,000 miles on them.
If so where can I get some high quality replacements for an affordable price???
Thanks a ton everyone!!

 

The cheapest I would go is 555's. They're what I've got, and I found them in a Moog box from Advance Auto parts.

OEM is other option. They're more expensive, and probably better, but how much better is a never ending debate.


I wouldn't replace the LCA's unless they're bent or rusty.

 

555 from lowrange offroad or OEM.

I had Moogs before, and my truck didn't explode, currently running 555's.

I'm pretty sure 555 makes some, if not all the moog branded ones, AND the OEM ones, too.

Even if you get OEM, you still can't just ignore them. Most failures are simply lack of maintenance.

 

I promised @Xbeaus I would quote this in every LBJ thread from then on

I've done my part

 

My '02 still ( surprisingly)had an open recall for the LBJ. Against my better judgement, I had them replaced last month at the dealer.

 

Oem look on Amazon they’re about 100 apiece

 

Yeah there was a bad batch that Toyota let slip through the cracks for one or two model years of the 1st gen, since safety recalls never expire it can get replaced whenever. I would say it's good that you did, you got new OEM LBJs that should last you a little while at least lol.

 

There's literally a thread right above this one.

Go OEM as everyone will suggest.

If you wish to save money, but still want a quality alternative, 555 which is offered for cheap by Low Range Offroad.

Lower control arms never need replacing unless they're rusted through or cracked or something.

Just replace the bushings.

 

OEM, as other brands have been compromised, be it they get sold to other bigger companies or simply lower their quality over time.

I have a post were I bought two 555 from Napa but some asshole probably bought it, swapped it with a fleabay moog looking part and returned it, so that in my picture the left and right side new joints were completely different builds. Still went through with the swap, not even 10k miles later that moog looking part had A LOT of play. I paid up for OEMs and haven't had to look back.

Pay for the piece of mind on such a super critical part.

 

If you can just replace the bushings yourself unless you’re having a shop do the work. If so, you could spend a similar amount between having the shop replace the bushings or just replacing the whole LCA itself. LCA replacement: less labor cost but more parts cost. Bushing replacement: less parts cost but more labor cost.
At least that was MY experience.

 

Ok thanks everyone!
I just ordered555’s from Low Range Off-road. the sales guy said they are still a high quality part. As good as OEM.

done!

 

Fuck it buy the cheap ones and turn your truck into a DeLorean

 

And you believe the Mazda dealer when he tells you it’s as good as Toyota I bet

 

How does one maintain a lower ball joint?

 

Sacrificial goat every oil change

 

Yes! And I also believe that strippers genuinely like me..

Maybe “as good as” is an overstatement.
According to my research 555’s have the same factory stamp as OEM. Meaning they are made in the same factory, to the same specs, with the same materials.
The only difference I’ve seen is that oem’s undergo a finishing process like painting and polishing, while 555’s don’t.

 

inspect it occasionally and look for leaking boots, check for rust/slop.

 

Lemme guess, you only buy OEM air from Toyota.


555's are perfectly fine.

 

Fram filters >


gotta piss on the piss pile everyone's contributing to.
OP has already ordered, no need for further squandering lmao