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Lower Ball Joints

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Csmith8911, Dec 31, 2016.

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  1. Jan 5, 2017 at 10:21 AM
    #21
    eon_blue

    #21
    eon_blue If I would, could you

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    I would definitely go OEM on the lower ball joints, heard one too many horror stories from guys that didn't. Otherwise, I'd be checking them by lifting up the front via the LCA all the time out of paranoia. Got mine replaced through Toyota, not cheap but worth the peace of mind imo
     
    eon_blue, Jan 5, 2017
    #21
    The Driver likes this.
  2. Jan 5, 2017 at 10:27 AM
    #22
    Csmith8911

    #22
    Csmith8911 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I ordered the Moog problem solvers and they came in yesterday. I know a lot of guys on here say to go OEM but I don't beat on and abuse the truck so I'm sure the Moogs will hold up just fine. I've used Moog parts in the past on other vehicles and never had a problem with them. Either way, they're better than the current ball joints with 211k miles.
     
    Csmith8911, Jan 5, 2017
    #22
  3. Jan 5, 2017 at 10:31 AM
    #23
    eon_blue

    #23
    eon_blue If I would, could you

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    If you're not beating up on them then you'll likely be okay, I'd be sure to make a point to check them every so often but that's a good idea no matter what you go with. I wheel my truck regularly and sometimes pretty hard so I wanted OEM for good measure. Let us know how the install process goes
     
    eon_blue, Jan 5, 2017
    #23
  4. Jan 5, 2017 at 10:37 AM
    #24
    Csmith8911

    #24
    Csmith8911 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Do I need to jack the truck up with the lower control arms to do this replacement job? Or was that just to check them?
     
    Csmith8911, Jan 5, 2017
    #24
  5. Jan 5, 2017 at 10:37 AM
    #25
    eon_blue

    #25
    eon_blue If I would, could you

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    That's just to check them
     
    eon_blue, Jan 5, 2017
    #25
  6. Jan 5, 2017 at 10:49 AM
    #26
    mechanicjon

    #26
    mechanicjon They call me "Jonny Stubs"

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    mechanicjon, Jan 5, 2017
    #26
  7. Jan 5, 2017 at 11:00 AM
    #27
    mechanicjon

    #27
    mechanicjon They call me "Jonny Stubs"

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    Attached Files:

    mechanicjon, Jan 5, 2017
    #27
  8. Jan 5, 2017 at 2:12 PM
    #28
    Csmith8911

    #28
    Csmith8911 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you, I will save a copy of this amazing information!
     
    Csmith8911, Jan 5, 2017
    #28
  9. Jan 5, 2017 at 2:20 PM
    #29
    Dirty Pool

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    Dirty Pool FLIES ON THE FRIES, KETCHUPS WATERED DOWN

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    Last edited: Jan 11, 2017
    Dirty Pool, Jan 5, 2017
    #29
    Sloth, cruiserguy, The Driver and 1 other person like this.
  10. Jan 5, 2017 at 2:34 PM
    #30
    drr

    #30
    drr Primary Prognosticator

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    Just to be clear, jacking up your truck by the LCA and trying to pry apart the joint to check for wear is not going to tell you much. The allowable wear per the FSM is 0.020", which is about the thickness of 4 human hairs. If you can see any movement in the joint, you're probably way past that and should replace ASAP, and buy a lotto ticket while you're at it.
     
    drr, Jan 5, 2017
    #30
  11. Jan 5, 2017 at 2:41 PM
    #31
    Cr250jumper

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    Cr250jumper Señor member

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    Ive had moog lower ball joints for about 30k miles with long travel and they get beat on pretty hard, no slop or play. I replace them more often than most that use OEM but I also beat on them harder than most too. You will be fine with moog
     
    Cr250jumper, Jan 5, 2017
    #31
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  12. Jan 5, 2017 at 4:30 PM
    #32
    JPinFL

    #32
    JPinFL Well-Known Member

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    Thanks.
    On Low Range Offroad, it states that these are 555s that are made in Japan.
     
    JPinFL, Jan 5, 2017
    #32
  13. Jan 5, 2017 at 6:10 PM
    #33
    Dirty Pool

    #33
    Dirty Pool FLIES ON THE FRIES, KETCHUPS WATERED DOWN

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    Dirty Pool rear bumper/air tank with integrated spare CV shaft storage, DP customized TJM front bumper, 8000 lb Ramsey/Technora rope, E-locked, Extended breathers with front diff catch can, PCV catch can, SAWs with DP heim joint seals, DP custom 6 leaf rear springs/Billies, DP custom skids, 2lo, Gray wire, Cap, Bed Rug, Black steelies, 01 Center console, Map lights, Disraeli gears
    One more issue with the aftermarket 555.

    The "half ball" is kept from rattling around by a thick rubber doughnut squeezed between the cover and the ball. This constant pressure pushes the ball against it's seat taking up any play making it very difficult to actually tell if there is any wear or how much.
     
    Dirty Pool, Jan 5, 2017
    #33
  14. Jan 5, 2017 at 7:00 PM
    #34
    The Driver

    #34
    The Driver Trail Runner/Barefoot Beach Runner/Snow Skier

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    +1. I simply don't want that shit to fail at the worst moment, as if having that kind of failure would have any goodness to it!
     
    The Driver, Jan 5, 2017
    #34
    99SuperTaco4x4 likes this.
  15. Jan 7, 2017 at 6:24 AM
    #35
    pofarm

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    pofarm Well-Known Member

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    pofarm, Jan 7, 2017
    #35
  16. Jan 8, 2017 at 4:49 PM
    #36
    Csmith8911

    #36
    Csmith8911 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Got everything installed. Ended up having to go purchase new tie rod ends because I tore the boots all to hell trying to separate them from the lower ball joints. Now I'm in BAD need of an alignment. Gonna try and get it dropped off in the morning and have them fix it up while I'm at work.

    Really wasn't that difficult to do. The hardest part was installing the new ball joint and trying to line everything up to get the bolts and nuts where they need to be. Other than that, pretty straight forward.
     
    Csmith8911, Jan 8, 2017
    #36
  17. Jan 9, 2017 at 2:55 AM
    #37
    Caligula

    #37
    Caligula Well-Known Member

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    I remember having a discussion about NAPA's in house brand for ball joints. They were engineered sturdier than even the stock LBJ. @CodeSeven
     
    Caligula, Jan 9, 2017
    #37
  18. Jan 9, 2017 at 5:56 AM
    #38
    cruiserguy

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    cruiserguy Well-Known Member

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    We need a link to that post where @Dirty Pool actually cut up different ball joints to be able to see how they were constructed internally. That, and the LBJs that seem to fail within a year or two of install usually seem to be aftermarket.
     
    cruiserguy, Jan 9, 2017
    #38
  19. Jan 9, 2017 at 6:23 AM
    #39
    e304lyfe

    #39
    e304lyfe Member

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    As mentioned earlier in this thread, there are countless threads with aftermarket lower ball joint failures. It truthfully baffles me why anyone would use anything but a Genuine Toyota lower front ball joint. The failures are catastrophic and cause immediate damage to your vehicle as the wheel collides into the fender, as well as losing control and potentially causing an accident and injury to yourself and other motorists. It really doesn't seem like a good area to save a few dollars.
     
    e304lyfe, Jan 9, 2017
    #39
  20. Jan 9, 2017 at 6:24 AM
    #40
    se7enine

    #40
    se7enine MCMLXXIX

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    Nobody listens or searches though, that's why we have a million "will these tires fit with my lift" threads.
     
    se7enine, Jan 9, 2017
    #40
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