Failed inspection: ball joint

Some wiggle in my drivers side ball joint. Truck only has 50k miles and wondering if this was normal. Guy said that maybe it was due to running slightly larger tires might have put a bit more wear on them. But only had this setup for about 6 months and 8k miles.

Question: should I just replace the ball joint or spend more money, lol...

If I just replace just the ball joint, should I go with OEM?

If I decide to go beefier, what would people recommend?

I am running slightly bigger tires will this continue to be a problem, and if so, should I look into upgrading the UCAs and king pin? I'm only running 1.3" without spacers on the 6112s suspension and 275/70/18 on the tires, so probably don't need something too nuts.

Total Chaos UCAs are popular with a lot of people on this forum but is it overkill? I don't really do any hard core off-roading. Also living in Boston, they salt the roads and I've read that doesn't play well with Chaos joints.

Is there another solution that might be one step above OEM? Or do I just go to O'Rielly's and by the same ball joint?

Thanks in advance

 

I am guessing you are referring to the upper ball joints?

My upper ball joints on my '13 were toast by 30K miles. About 27K of those miles were on stock tires/suspension. When I upgraded my suspension, I replaced the UCAs with new ones from MCM fab.

My lower ball joints had to be replaced at around 50K miles. Toyota doesn't sell replacements for the lower ball joints individually - you have to buy a whole new LCA if you want OEM. I went with Beck-Arnley replacements.

I don't think this is "common" - as I don't hear about it too often. Or, maybe people just don't check their shit as often as they should.

 

O'Riellys is not going to carry the same ball joint, Toyota part that is. I would go with aftermarket that have grease fittings. I put Moogs on my F150. OEMs failed at 40k. I put 55k on the Moogs with no problems before I sold the piece of shit.

 

If you're talking about UCA's, plenty of people have their take offs laying around. Can probably find some for pretty cheap. Mine came off at 5k, they're practically new.

 

I've been watching videos on replacing upper ball joints and one dude is saying that it's good to do the lowers at the same time because you need to beat the shit out of it to get the uppers off. Truth?

 

I can't speak for current Tundra's but the feedback for 1st gens is that you shouldn't got aftermarket on the ball joints. I'm honestly surprised yours went out so early.

 

When I have to cross this bridge, I'll be going SPC.

https://www.boss4x4s.com/spc_light_racing_adjustable_upper_control_arms_07_tundra

 

It is between these or the JBAs.
I like the look of the JBAs but everyone seems to say the functionality of the SPCs make them the winner. I'm just concerned there's too much micro adjusting.