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Lower ball joints/part numbers

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Jasont, Oct 23, 2021.

  1. Oct 23, 2021 at 5:43 AM
    #1
    Jasont

    Jasont [OP] New Member

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    Is oem really the only way to go? I just bought Napa brand. They say they were made in Japan by altrom, and they have the sankie 555 marking on them. I really like the idea of being able to grease them myself.. anyone running these napa lbj’s? All I found searching was older stuff.


    Also I jacked up the front of my pickup ( by the frame) put a block in front of the tire and Pete’s up with a bar. I’ve got zero movement. The dust caps are intact. I just bought this pickup and since I’m replacing uca’s with ( add me to the freedom off-road group). I figured I’d do the lowers as well. Is it safe to say the dust boot would be degraded and flaking on a pickup with 120000 on it
     
  2. Oct 23, 2021 at 5:56 AM
    #2
    Dave8699

    Dave8699 Trackrat

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    Whole truck Raptor liner in olive green, leer camper cap, 5100 with OME, Wheelers AAL and Firestone Air bags.
    I'm going to be trying these tough terrain MevoTech they look pretty heavy duty. It's seems like every only installs OEM but I haven't seen no post of anyone trying these tough terrain. I also like the idea of greasing the ball joints myself.

    Screenshot_20211023-085412_Chrome.jpg
     
  3. Oct 23, 2021 at 6:19 AM
    #3
    Jasont

    Jasont [OP] New Member

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    Those were 149.00. The ones I bought were 160.00. That the only way I can distinguish between the two. Maybe I’ll look into those. It’s not a money thing, but I really like the idea of greasing them myself
     
  4. Oct 23, 2021 at 6:26 AM
    #4
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

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    I don't know if resistance to movement is any indicator to how well they're made but I've noticed the OEMs present more resistance to movement than aftermarket ones.
     
  5. Oct 23, 2021 at 6:41 AM
    #5
    Dave8699

    Dave8699 Trackrat

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    Whole truck Raptor liner in olive green, leer camper cap, 5100 with OME, Wheelers AAL and Firestone Air bags.
    Interesting when I get a chance I will go to the garage and see how much resistance it takes to moves the joint around. It's going to be hard to compare.
     
    Jack McCarthy[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Oct 23, 2021 at 7:01 AM
    #6
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

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    I've used other Mevotech parts before. Some have lasted, well at least didn't fail noticeably. Some failed within days. I personally cannot recommend them for tie rods or upper ball joints. Can't imagine the other parts are much better.
     
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  7. Oct 23, 2021 at 7:16 AM
    #7
    Jasont

    Jasont [OP] New Member

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    I actually bought the altrom’s. But maybe I won’t use them. I’ll call Toyota today and see if they have em in stock. Maybe I’ll buy both and do a comparison..
     
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  8. Oct 23, 2021 at 7:27 AM
    #8
    Mr Badwrench

    Mr Badwrench New Member

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    The only thing that drove me to use OEM/Toyota was the catastrophic manner in which the LBJ's fail on these trucks. I would think that as long as the new ones are OEM spec, they would be good though. I've read on Toyota sites (tundras/TW/TTORA) that NAPA brand LBJ's are good. Everything I have purchased from NAPA as far as chassis and driveline parts has been pretty good.

    Just replaced mine at 150,000 miles and 21 years. The boots were still intact. They didn't have any play, but my steering was getting sloppy, so I replaced all the front end bushings and got it aligned. Feels like it just rolled off the lot now.
     
    evanhmn and 1kTyy_1 like this.
  9. Oct 23, 2021 at 7:47 AM
    #9
    Dave8699

    Dave8699 Trackrat

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    Whole truck Raptor liner in olive green, leer camper cap, 5100 with OME, Wheelers AAL and Firestone Air bags.
    Great now I'm not sure if I want to be the Is Guinea pig with the MevoTech terrain tuff. Or follow everyone else and go oem.
     
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  10. Oct 23, 2021 at 7:51 AM
    #10
    Jasont

    Jasont [OP] New Member

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    My thoughts exactly
     
  11. Oct 23, 2021 at 7:53 AM
    #11
    des2mtn

    des2mtn Third Member

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    Just buy the OEM ball joints and 8 new bolts.
     
  12. Oct 23, 2021 at 8:08 AM
    #12
    Mr Badwrench

    Mr Badwrench New Member

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    Give them a shot and let us all know. Shake them down every few thousand miles to see how they are holding up.
     
  13. Oct 23, 2021 at 8:12 AM
    #13
    Dave8699

    Dave8699 Trackrat

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    Whole truck Raptor liner in olive green, leer camper cap, 5100 with OME, Wheelers AAL and Firestone Air bags.
    Ok so I'll put my truck and myself in danger for some good feedback. I'll install the tough terrain grease them every oil change. Also I will jack the front up and test for play.

    Just for reference I know there's a LBJ kit for are trucks that come with bolts and hardware. Is this the part number 04006-62134
     
  14. Oct 23, 2021 at 8:14 AM
    #14
    Mr Badwrench

    Mr Badwrench New Member

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    I didn't mean it that way.
     
  15. Oct 23, 2021 at 8:15 AM
    #15
    Dave8699

    Dave8699 Trackrat

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    Whole truck Raptor liner in olive green, leer camper cap, 5100 with OME, Wheelers AAL and Firestone Air bags.
    No worries I know its all good I'll give them a shot.
     
  16. Oct 23, 2021 at 8:22 AM
    #16
    Jasont

    Jasont [OP] New Member

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    Has anyone bought from McGeorge Toyota. Online. They want 260 shipped to my house ,
     
  17. Oct 23, 2021 at 8:29 AM
    #17
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

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    Several here have, and loved 'em. They've got some of the lowest prices online for OEM parts, BUT ... If you have a dealership near you, you should hit https://autoparts.toyota.com to search your parts, then see which dealerships near you have it, check each dealership's discounted pricing. You may be able to get it same-day or next-day pickup, no shipping costs, which sometimes shakes out close to McGeorge's discount rate.

    Note: McGeorge also has THREE different parts sites. Sometimes each has higher discounts than the other, super strange. If you put a location in your profile, another member may be able to suggest a close dealership to use.

    Oh, and save some cash. If you buy the LBJ recall kit from Toyota, it apparently includes both LBJs, and is significantly cheaper, like, 40-60% less, which actually makes it cheaper than Moog and others (no bolts, though):

    Late '04 - '06 kit is Toyota p/n 04006-62134
    Early '02 - '03 kit is Toyota p/n 04005-21134
    Early '01 - '02 kit is Toyota p/n 04005-04134

    You may find only McGeorge's site has these under the p/n supplied, you may also try calling your local dealership and asking for that p/n, just ... whatever you do, don't buy the shit on fleaBay, scAmazon, or Wallyworld, you're gonna get bogus parts from either.

    For which bolts to get (8 needed) check Nick's post over here, it's ideal to use fresh bolts, though some just re-use. It's the one weak spot on these trucks, I'd consider fresh ones.
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2023
    Jack McCarthy and richsadams like this.
  18. Oct 23, 2021 at 8:32 AM
    #18
    Dave8699

    Dave8699 Trackrat

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    If you are going OEM I believe I read once before that this is a parts kit that has everything.
    04006-62134

    Screenshot_20211023-113125_Chrome.jpg
     
  19. Oct 23, 2021 at 8:53 AM
    #19
    jerryallday

    jerryallday New Member

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    Oem and get another 120k miles
     
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  20. Oct 23, 2021 at 8:56 AM
    #20
    Cummins3500

    Cummins3500 Never finishes.....

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    I got my oem lbj’s from McGeorge, no issues with the ball joints but the bolts I was sent were the wrong size. I cross referenced parts from another Toyota dealer. I didn’t catch it till the truck was already apart, I re-used my old bolts with a shit ton of red loc-tite. I’ve also had good luck price shopping on McGeorge and calling my local dealer who prices matches and then has it to me next day.
     
  21. Oct 23, 2021 at 9:00 AM
    #21
    Jasont

    Jasont [OP] New Member

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    I’m not gonna lie. I can’t figure out how to make my location public. At any rate I’m in Vegas. And I just ordered from Larry Miller Toyota in Utah for 245 shipped to me. For both. Which my local dealers wanted upward of 400.00 for both. Apparently what I’m reading is that people are reusing the 4 bottom bolts. So that’s what I think I’ll do. Maybe take one to a nut and bolt house and get heavier grade bolts, if bolt shearing is a real thing. Seem like joint failure is the major concern. Apologies for my ignorance with a profile. Lol
     
  22. Oct 23, 2021 at 9:01 AM
    #22
    KarmaKannon

    KarmaKannon Master of None

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    My Moog 555 have lasted about 2.5-3 years of pretty hard use on 35" tires. I just got replacements in the mail because I feel a little okay somewhere and wanted new lower ball joints anyway. The play is likely my steering heims or a coilover mount anyway, but the ball joints have seen some abuse and I've already changed my upper uniballs once.

    Replace them when they seem to have any play or need new boots and try to get something with at least some track record like the 555 joints. That's my take. Get oem if you want them to last 5 years or a hundred thousand miles and have the money.

    My service intervals are likely much closer together than most anyway because when you did every weld on your control arms and shock mounts... You tend to look at everything and fall on the side of replacement if anything is in question.
     
    bmf4069 and Jasont[OP] like this.
  23. Oct 23, 2021 at 9:06 AM
    #23
    Jasont

    Jasont [OP] New Member

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    Yea I just ordered oem’s for 30 bucks more. gonna return the Napa’s. Not with the headache.. I guess I’ll be tearing into it twice once to replace the uca’s which should be here today. And again in a couple weeks
     
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  24. Oct 23, 2021 at 9:08 AM
    #24
    jerryallday

    jerryallday New Member

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    I paid 121$ per and reused my old bolts. Cleaned them off with break cleaned and added red thread locker on install. I didn’t think of getting stronger bolts. That might be a good idea.
     
  25. Oct 23, 2021 at 9:25 AM
    #25
    Jasont

    Jasont [OP] New Member

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    I’ll take the bolts from the Napa kit to my local nut and bolt store. See what they have.
     
  26. Oct 23, 2021 at 11:05 AM
    #26
    KarmaKannon

    KarmaKannon Master of None

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    For reference only. I just ordered two Moog lower ball joints for about $60-70 each and they still came with the made in Japan stamp and the 555 logo. For anyone wondering.

    PXL_20211023_175955563.jpg
     
  27. Oct 23, 2021 at 11:07 AM
    #27
    Dave8699

    Dave8699 Trackrat

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    For Knowledge purposes whats the 555 logo stand for?
     
  28. Oct 23, 2021 at 11:11 AM
    #28
    KarmaKannon

    KarmaKannon Master of None

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    I believe it's the three-five factory in Japan. Their stuff seems fairly well regarded.
    http://www.sankei-555.co.jp/
     
  29. Oct 23, 2021 at 11:16 AM
    #29
    alb1k

    alb1k Always Coming From Take Me Down

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    I think thats a really good indicator as to materials and tolerances. It seems to me that the real world/been there experience is get OEM.
     
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  30. Oct 23, 2021 at 11:45 AM
    #30
    NWPirate

    NWPirate Tesla kool-aid connoisseur

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