Oem ball joints

Just noticed my lower ball joint boot is torn. Does anyone know the part number for an oem left LBJ on a 98 sr5 4x4? Or a decent aftermarket alternative

 

OEM only, I’d do both now not just the one, lbj failure is both catastrophic and dangerous. They’re the single most dangerous common failure point on these trucks.
Part numbers for joints and bolts here:
https://adventuretaco.com/guide/step-by-step-replacing-lower-ball-joints-lbj-on-a-1st-gen-tacoma-or-3rd-gen-4runner/
Don’t reuse the bolts either, order new ones.

 

Thanks for the reply, OEM it is. I’ve looked over several websites, and several different forums and have seen at least 3 different part numbers that are “OEM” for this truck.
43340-39436 (which you just listed)
43340-39585
And 43330-09510

are they all oem? How do I know which one is the correct one for my truck. (Sorry I’m new to this)

also do I need special bolts?

 

So they are all OEM,
43340-39436 Is a single left lbj with no bolts
43340-39585 Is a left lbj kit with new ‘green’ bolts.
43330-09510 Is for 5 lug tacomas, the 2wd mini truck ones. This won’t fit your 4x4
(EDIT: made a mistake, that’s not a 5-lug part, hard finding a concrete answer what it’s for but I’m seeing references that it is a 2nd and 3rd gen Tacoma LBJ, others saying Hillux Fortuner. I think it fits 2nd/3rd gen but it isn’t specially sold for them as you are supposed to just replace the whole lca? Maybe? Anyway doesn’t really matter, point is it won’t fit your truck)

04005-03235 is a TSB kit with both left and right joints, with no bolts.
90119-10933 is a ‘black’ lbj bolt, need 4 for each side 8 total

I would recommend getting either the individual joints and buying the ‘black’ bolts separate, or buy the tsb kit and again buying the bolts separate. Tsb kit vs l/r individually should just depend on if you can get the kit cheaper from the dealer than both joints separate. Prices seem to vary and change.
This whole topic has been pretty heavily researched, so if you’re curious as to the why of choosing OEM vs aftermarket and why I even have an opinion on the specific type of OEM bolts to use I’d read through the rest of the first link I posted and also this one: https://adventuretaco.com/guide/choosing-lower-ball-joint-lbj-bolts/

If not and I wouldn’t blame you, summary is OEM joints with OEM black bolts is the best known combo

 

I think you just saved me from going bald at 25. Thank you
One follow up question. On a lot of the websites that sell these parts, it says it’s for 2001-2004 first gen tacomas and wouldn’t fit my 1998. Should I just ignore that?

 

How about using https://autoparts.toyota.com/ and entering your VIN number? That way you know you are looking at an official toyota site and pulling up parts specifically for your VIN/Year/Model. As mentioned earlier, always replace the bolts with new and do not, DO NOT over torque when installing. Verify you have the correct torque specs for your 98.

Cheers.


For Reference - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-ball-joint-bolts.772506/page-4#post-27990706

 

I appreciate it. On the Toyota website it says that the 43340-39585 (kit with green bolts) fit my vehicle (fits 1996-2001) but the 43340-39436 (LBJ without bolts) does not (fits 2001-2004). I’d rather go with the latter as I’d like to spend less and get the black bolts instead of the green. According to the first reply I got they’re the exact same but the difference is one comes with bolts and one doesn’t. I just want to double check that this is true since the websites says only the kit fits my truck

 

Also note if you use dust protectors the bolts are slightly longer.

 

I've never seen anything that says an 01-04 LBJ wont fit a 95-00, to my knowledge they're all exactly the same. I haven't done it myself though, since I used the TSB kit last time I replaced mine. Worth noting that TSB kit was only for specific 01-04 models, though they don't specify or verify model year fitment with the TSB kit for whatever reason. Based on that, I still assume they all fit with zero issues. Full forward/backward compatibility from everything I've seen or experienced.
Right now you can get the TSB Kit for $185 https://toyotaparts.ourismantoyotao...xdknpspHeSEr69oQVUQhNuGIe8vEs8CDRUqIvBLOdkGbm
You'll want to at least get new cotter pins if you go this route though.


Buying the two joints separate is $235, + bolts in either case.

The black bolts are the ones that were originally spec-ed for the dust protectors, but they have been proven to be stronger whether you have the dust covers or not

 

Apologies if you already know this, but just to clarify -- when people talk about "OEM" LBJs around here, what they are *ahem* ACTUALLY talking about are the OE LBJs you buy direct from a Toyota dealership. You can't get them off a parts site that isn't an actual Toyota dealership.

Just pointing it out because a lot of parts sites will label stuff as "OEM". https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-your-ball-joints.374853/page-2#post-10284167

Again, sorry if you already knew this.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3146995831...-ME3rKI_BlwIuL7nXVzPZw6a94-zy1wsaArJnEALw_wcB

Are these 4Runner LBJs interchangeable with our 1st gen's? This seems like a good deal as long as they're actually OEM, ha.

 

No, but in a pinch sort of.

The tie rod end is a different size, so you’d have to get 4runner OTREs as well. They’re smaller (so weaker) than the Tacoma OTRE though. 4Runner guys sometimes upgrade to the Tacoma setup since it’s a little beefier.

 

Good to know! Thank you!