Upper and lower control arms - what do I need to buy?

2011 2WD Tacoma 2.7 regular cab. I had the front brake rotors and pads done today. 80k on the ODO. While under the truck the mechanic noted the bushing on the lower control arm and lower sway bar link bushing were leaking grease. Both on the driver side. Passenger side no leaks. He recommended I get upper and lower control arms for both sides, sway bar links and new shocks while he is in there. He told me to research and get what I need and he will install them for me (mechanic is a fiend and works at a local shop so he doesn't charge me for labor). Wanted to get input from folks who have had this done. Also - should I buy OEM parts, or just get them from Amazon or the local Autozone/O'Reileys? Appreciate any input.

 

Good fiends are hard to come by...

 

It is just a daily driver so I don't need better than OEM. I have been looking at RockAuto at the DD level parts.

 

Bushings are not packed with grease; the leak is from somewhere else. If shocks are leaking, you'll see the grease flowing down. Ball joints carry grease, but a leak there don't normally carry sideways towards the bushings. I say power wash the bottom; then replace the sway links. Any leaks after that should be easier to spot.

 

The grease is very focal and it is coming out of the sway bar end link boot and the rubber boot on the lower control arm. Shocks are dry but they have 80k on them so it was suggested to change them out while everything was apart.

 

your stabilizer link is leaking grease, replace only that
I have not done anything to my front end for 215k miles except SB bushings and one wheel bearing.

Don't just toss parts because someone said so. That's like handing them your wallet.

investigate before you spend

 

Can you take some pictures of the leaks? The bushings does not have grease to leak, only the ball joints have grease.
But you only have 80k miles, i really doubt they need replacing.

And i would not swap out the oem's control arms for any aftermarkets parts.

 

Sway bar end links do have/can leak grease. That’s what he’s saying I believe.

 

This

 

I honestly wouldnt replace any of that stuff right away. It's normal for sway bar end links and LBJ boots to leak some grease over time. As long as the ball joints are tight with no play, I would just wipe them clean and keep an eye on them for awhile. If the boots are actually punctured though, then go ahead and replace those parts. You can just replace the LBJs though, no need to replace the whole LCA