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Why are OEM lower ball joints so hard to find?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by BUFU, Mar 7, 2020.

  1. Mar 7, 2020 at 7:32 PM
    #1
    BUFU

    BUFU [OP] Member

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    265/75R16 Falken Wildpeak AT3W, Stealth Custom Series SR8, Fox 2.5 front, Fox 2.0 rear, JBA UCA
    Every dealership within 100 miles will only sell the entire lower control arm assembly. I can't even find it online! Does anyone have a connection?
     
  2. Mar 7, 2020 at 7:33 PM
    #2
    Bishop84

    Bishop84 Well-Known Member

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    Liability issues with press in ball joints.

    Most older 2nd gens need arms anyway for the eccentrics that are likely seized.

    Loads on Rockauto.
     
  3. Mar 8, 2020 at 10:22 AM
    #3
    staco05

    staco05 Well-Known Member

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    Just did all my ball joints last night. Went with moog off Amazon $100 total for 2 lowers and 2 uppers. Moogs come with grease nipples which oem doesn’t. That’s a plus considering you can maintain the bj longer.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001FJW23S?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001D20WPC?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2020
    winkel likes this.
  4. Mar 8, 2020 at 4:20 PM
    #4
    knottyrope

    knottyrope Well-Known Member

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    I keep reading that aftermarket BJs only last 25-50k miles.

    OEM last me 200k+

    Some say it's easy, some say it's a PITA to seat the new ones in.

    If LCA bushings are shot, then it's a fun time torching them out.

    I'm replacing the LCAs with OEM, don't want to change BJs every two years
     
  5. Mar 9, 2020 at 4:25 AM
    #5
    pearing

    pearing Well-Known Member

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    My OEM only lasted 50K on a street queen... That said I went with OEM again. Full LCA.
     
  6. Mar 10, 2020 at 4:38 PM
    #6
    BUFU

    BUFU [OP] Member

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    Guess I'll roll the dice and go aftermarket.

    how are you liking your moogs?
     
  7. Mar 10, 2020 at 10:45 PM
    #7
    staco05

    staco05 Well-Known Member

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    The ride is a lot smoother. Moog has a new design and the boots are pre installed and doesn’t cover the entire shaft of the lower ball joints. The uppers are still the same with the normal style boots. It was a fun project rented a press from my local auto parts store.
     
  8. May 1, 2020 at 8:34 PM
    #8
    Oreo Cat

    Oreo Cat Worst Member

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    I don’t remember the exact brand but I got new LCAs from o Reilly’s and the ball joints are destroyed on both sides after 5k. Should’ve got oem
     
  9. Jun 12, 2022 at 12:44 PM
    #9
    black cx

    black cx Well-Known Member

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    Been trying to google for 2nd gen lower ball joint assembly and have been unable to find it.

    Does anyone know the OEM part #?

    seems like the only option is to buy moog ball joint.

    is there any aftermarket option for the wole lower ball joint assembly?
     
  10. Jun 12, 2022 at 1:59 PM
    #10
    joeyv141

    joeyv141 Well-Known Member

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    Toyota America does not offer the LCA ball joints for some stupid reason, theres a part number but dealers can't order them. I changed my factory LCAs out at 220K miles due to a little noise from one ball joint. When replacing them I found one eccentric was seized and I had to cut that arm out. I decided to buy new OEM LCAs since the factory ones lasted so long I figure I won't have to touch the LCAs till I sell the truck(Probably keeping it till the engine or trans quits on me). Also I've seen issues of aftermarket ball joints that require slight filing of the ball joint socket for them to fit which I do not like.
     
    wi_taco likes this.
  11. Jun 12, 2022 at 2:21 PM
    #11
    gotoman1969

    gotoman1969 Well-Known Member

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    Toyota does not make an oem replacement you have to but the entire lca.
     
  12. Jun 12, 2022 at 2:29 PM
    #12
    wi_taco

    wi_taco My skid plates give rocks taco flavored kisses

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    See here, post #17:
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lower-ball-joints-control-arms.722562/

    I also recently had a seized eccentrics in my LCA so I ended up cutting it out and buying 2 brand new OE control arms. I'm planning to keep the old ones around in case I ever need to change them again and then I'll rebuild with the hard to get OE ball joints and some new bushings (though my original joints with 111k still have zero play).
     

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