lower ball joint pricing

Hi all, I'm looking to replace the lower ball joints on my 2005 tundra out of precaution (they still seem fine)

I was thinking of going with oem, I just called two different dealerships close to me and received these quotes:
$285 43330 39655
$287 43340 39515

$226.99 43330 39825
$229.02 43340 39595

Was surprised about the prices, from reading through the forum I was expecting something between $110-150?
Also they recommended different part numbers, are there just different options out there or did they make a mistake? (I gave them my VIN to look up the part)

Would appreciate any input, is there somewhere else I should be buying these?
Thanks!

 

As you will see in this sticky thread at the top of the forum, any time you call a dealership directly, or walk up to the parts counter, you instantly are asked to pay MSRP. Some stealerships will charge you MSRP and additional fees. That's only if you're ignorant about their gouging, of course. It's probably one of the unwise-est ways you can buy OEM parts. The only thing you could possibly do worse is to order on fleaBay, scAmazon, or WallyMart, or similar counterfeit parts havens.

As you will also see in that thread, if you simply use Toyota's Parts system @ https://autoparts.toyota.com and check (through that portal) the parts at your local dealership, you can get anywhere from 20% - 40% off your parts, sometimes more. And pick it up, at the exact same counter, but pay markedly less money. Each dealership sets the discount, so if you don't like the price you're seeing at your local dealership, check the next-closest one, see if the price is better. I have 5 dealers near me participating. Two of them are always at MSRP online. Two sell at 12% off on most parts. One is consistently at least 15% off. Sometimes the three latter dealers, one will come out cheaper than the usually-15%-off place. i.e. the pricing can be variable, it seems like, almost as if they're setting the discount based on category of part or something? Or I'm just crazy.

In the event you don't have a dealership near you, if for example, you DO NOT live in Alamaba, THIS DEALER doesn't charge tax, and does free shipping over, like $60 or $75 in parts. It may be a viable option. Ourisman is another option, but they charge tax.

A lot of guys on here wait for the semi-annual 20-25% off parts sales at the Toyota site, and order from THAT DEALER ^^ and are able to get things like LBJ for $100-110/ea. NOTE: During these parts sales, and you just missed one by about 10 days, the major discount (usually nets you about 50% off MSRP) does not show up until you reach the checkout page (the entire discount, that is).

 

Last year Toyota online had sales on the following holidays: presidents day, memorial day, July 4th, Labor Day and black Friday. Anywhere from 15% - 25% off. I might be missing others, but these are the ones I made note of.

I paid $150 each for ball joint at last years July 4th sale (25%). Like shifty said, shop around dealers on the website, they vary. My best option is on opposite side of the state, free shipping on $75+ order.

 

This is what I ended up going with.
https://www.1stgenoffroad.com/store/p1099/ToyotaOELowerBallJointsPair.html#/

 

Did you add to replace the bolts as well?

"Optional Replacement Lower Ball Joint Bolts (QTY: 8)"

Also it doesn't look like they come with the castle nuts either?

 

If you buy the kit, no castle nuts.

If you buy the individual joints, castle nut and joint included.

Neither come with bolts, you need 4 per side, and torque varies based on which bolt you order. The LBJ sticky thread covers the bolt part numbers. Part number will vary by year, some trucks used smaller bolts. IIRC, the size of the bolt head (17mm vs 14mm?) is important. But I forget that detail.

 

Heres the torque specs for 2005+.

I had printed this out for when I install mine.

 

This is correct. I believe the castle nut is re-usable? I would never try to re-use the bolts, but yes on the castle nut. Obviously with a new cotter pin.

 

It's more like a quarterly sale at this point. Definitely not semi-annually. They keep upping the frequency.

 

I bought both LBJ's last week and they were $152.50 each.