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Moog or OEM ball joints? [RESOLVED]

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by TurbulentLamp, Sep 3, 2019.

  1. Sep 3, 2019 at 12:14 AM
    #1
    TurbulentLamp

    TurbulentLamp [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hello,
    I'm planning on buying the lower and upper ball joints for both sides for my Tacoma. I was wondering whether you guys recommend I buy Moog ball joints or buy them from the dealer. I don't mind buying either from Moog or the dealership, but I just want quality ball joints that won't fail within a couple thousand miles which will end up with me buying them again and replacing them again (which I don't want to do). Any advice is welcome thank you!
     
  2. Sep 3, 2019 at 3:19 AM
    #2
    RysiuM

    RysiuM Well-Known Member

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    Was Golden State, now Poland EU
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    1995 4x4 LX Ext Cab, I4 2.7, MT, 335K miles
    DD Deck+backup camera, LED DRL, All LED except H4 Hella
    OMG, not again. :smack:
     
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  3. Sep 3, 2019 at 4:41 AM
    #3
    CS_AR

    CS_AR Well-Known Member

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    Everything but the driveshaft. B03A - 410
    Where are you located?

    What type of driving do you do?

    How long are you planning to own you truck?

    I take it you are doing your own work.

    I just replaced my upper and lower ball joints. Finished the job last weekend.

    My answers are:

    Location: AR - No road salt -- rarely snows. Will not be driven in snow.

    Driving: Fast highway and some curvy mountain roads. No off roads. Handling is a priority.

    Expected ownership: 10 to 15 years. Currently has 228,000 miles.

    Past Ball Joint Experience - 4 Nissan cars and 1 F150: Only Moog Problem Solver Line since they came with grease zerks. I wouldn't consider anything else for those vehicles.

    Recent Toyota Purchase: OEM Ball joints and tie rod ends. I haven't seen many people use anything else on here but OEM. So I'm following the herd.

    Lots of members buy from Camelback Toyota in Phoeniz AZ. They have a new Web Site at the following address.

    https://partsfactory.camelbacktoyota.com/
     
    TurbulentLamp[OP] likes this.
  4. Sep 3, 2019 at 6:05 AM
    #4
    onakat

    onakat Well-Known Member

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    according to people general experience here:
    if the truck is just a daily driver, you can use aftermarket ball joints , but if you want to push it harder, like offroading, aftermarket ball joints fail much, much sooner than OEM

    So it depends what you do with the truck, really
     
    TurbulentLamp[OP] and CS_AR like this.
  5. Sep 3, 2019 at 6:11 AM
    #5
    Tjsingle26

    Tjsingle26 Well-Known Member

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    I just bought OEM ones from Camelback based on TW recommendations. Putting them on this upcoming weekend.
     
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  6. Sep 3, 2019 at 8:04 AM
    #6
    tony2018

    tony2018 Well-Known Member

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    trolling or lazy to search..been discussed multiple times...
     
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  7. Sep 3, 2019 at 8:06 AM
    #7
    avw4x4

    avw4x4 Well-Hung Member

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    ...loading....
    Go oem or you’ll be replacing often if you wheel. I rebuilt my front end about 8 months ago with all Moog parts and it’s totally hosed now. Going to replace all ball joints and TRE’s next weekend.
     
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  8. Sep 3, 2019 at 8:09 AM
    #8
    dre5491

    dre5491 Well-Known Member

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    Devin
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    Do seat covers count?
    OEM. Moog used to make fantastic parts, but the last 10 years or so they have been outsourcing more of their work to foreign countries and their quality has tanked.
     
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  9. Sep 3, 2019 at 8:39 AM
    #9
    cruxofthebisquit

    cruxofthebisquit Well-Known Member

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    OME and worth every penny.
    I'm not a stickler for factory parts BUT..I bought 555's from a reputable source and don't like them.
     
    TurbulentLamp[OP] likes this.
  10. Sep 3, 2019 at 8:41 AM
    #10
    TurbulentLamp

    TurbulentLamp [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My apologies. I should have looked up if this has been discussed before. I had no idea.
     
  11. Sep 3, 2019 at 8:44 AM
    #11
    TurbulentLamp

    TurbulentLamp [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you! I'm always a bit skeptical of aftermarket parts if they're not performance parts, but I figured that Moog is a well known brand, so it's possible that they make a proper part. I think I'll just stick with OEM to be safe.
     
    RysiuM likes this.
  12. Sep 3, 2019 at 8:45 AM
    #12
    NYCTaco52

    NYCTaco52 Half man, half goat

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    Hereeee we go
     
  13. Sep 3, 2019 at 8:45 AM
    #13
    TurbulentLamp

    TurbulentLamp [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yikes I'm sorry to hear that. OEM it is.
     
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  14. Sep 3, 2019 at 8:49 AM
    #14
    coopcooper

    coopcooper certified youtube mechanic

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    lol I just had a moog lower ball joint put in my 05 beginning of july, already has play in it needing to be replaced, at least they are changing it under warranty. Save your self the hassle and go oem
     
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  15. Sep 3, 2019 at 8:51 AM
    #15
    TurbulentLamp

    TurbulentLamp [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you! I'm definitely going OEM now. I'm probably going to change the title of this thread to notify people that this issue has been resolved.
     
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  16. Sep 3, 2019 at 8:53 AM
    #16
    TurbulentLamp

    TurbulentLamp [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I see. It's my daily driver and I never plan on off-roading it. Bases on what people have said, I'm going with OEM ball joints. People seem to have a bad experience with after market.
     
    onakat[QUOTED] and CS_AR like this.
  17. Sep 3, 2019 at 8:57 AM
    #17
    avw4x4

    avw4x4 Well-Hung Member

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    ...loading....
    Damn! My cheap ass went with 555 parts this time. What didn’t you like?
     
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  18. Sep 3, 2019 at 9:00 AM
    #18
    TurbulentLamp

    TurbulentLamp [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm going to answer your questions.
    Location: California, so no road salt or snow (atleast where I'm from).
    Driving: Lots of highway driving. Nothing crazy. No offroads.
    Expected ownership: As long as I can own it for. It currently has 129k.
    I plan on doing the work myself and I've set my mind of buying OEM ball joints. Thank you for your response!
     
  19. Sep 3, 2019 at 9:01 AM
    #19
    Matic

    Matic The "OFG" Baby!!!

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    Tricky Dick
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    1 owner 2002 TRD, SR5, DC, 2.7. Full OME suspension, STT pro's.
    OME 881 coils with OME nitrochargers shocks up front. TC UCA's OME Dakars with extra leaf in the rear. Warn 8000 winch with 80ft custom braided synth line. Custom 60ft synth extension. All pro tube bumper, Hi-lift jack, Safari Snorkel, Wilco tiregate. 2019 Jeep JLUR.
  20. Sep 3, 2019 at 9:02 AM
    #20
    cruxofthebisquit

    cruxofthebisquit Well-Known Member

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    OME and worth every penny.
    One had a grease zerk, one didn't and just looking at the cast and forged metal parts compared to the factory, I could see that it was inferior in quality. I have a pretty good eye for steels also. BTW they were Sankei branded 'Made in Japan' stamped. To tell the truth, if soeone said they were counterfeit, I'd believe them. I've never seen Japanese steel look that cheap.
     
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