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New to me (2015 V6 4x4) Ball joint or UCA?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by blnewt, Sep 6, 2025 at 8:47 AM.

  1. Sep 6, 2025 at 8:47 AM
    #1
    blnewt

    blnewt [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    First Name:
    Brad
    Vehicle:
    2015 Gray metallic Double Cab V6 4x4 SR5
    Have a 2015 4x4 V6 w/ almost 190k miles. The upper drivers ball joint has a zerk fitting so it was obviously replaced. The passenger side seems to be OEM from all I can tell. The driver side boot is completely cooked and I really want it replaced ASAP. I've DIY'd ball joints before, not really thrilled about changing it out as they can really put up a fight from what I've seen.
    The passenger side looks just fine fwiw.

    Is there an aftermarket UCA that includes the ball joint that's similar to OEM? Have heard the 555 one is good, just want to confirm if that's still the case. Or would it be better to just replace the ball joint w/ something of similar quality to OEM?

    Without having the UCA off to examine the bushings it's hard to tell if they are in ok shape. The truck was a rust free southwest truck that really didn't appear to have any off-road duty so not sure what I should do here. Hate replacing perfectly good oem parts w/ possibly inferior stuff.

    Thanks for any help/insight here.
     
  2. Sep 6, 2025 at 2:41 PM
    #2
    sparkystaco

    sparkystaco Well-Known Member

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    3" lift? A.R.E cap 285/70/17 moto metal 955 17x9
    am-autoparts has uppers that look just like OEM for a decent price, I put them on mine last summer & haven't noticed any difference from stock.

    They come w/ ball-joints & bushings.
     
    blnewt[OP] likes this.
  3. Sep 6, 2025 at 4:12 PM
    #3
    blnewt

    blnewt [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    2015 Gray metallic Double Cab V6 4x4 SR5
    Thanks i'll look them up asap!
     
    sparkystaco likes this.
  4. Sep 8, 2025 at 8:34 AM
    #4
    blnewt

    blnewt [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2025
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    #463728
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    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brad
    Vehicle:
    2015 Gray metallic Double Cab V6 4x4 SR5
    Found a used OEM from a 2020, seems like that may be better than going non-oem.
     

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