Ball joint replacement tips?

Jon

Jon

New member
Priced out at about $300 for both sides upper and lower (Advance), I'm probably doing ball joints this weekend. Old boots torn, grease gone, loud sqeaking and thumping over hills.

Done plenty of ball joints, just never a 4Runner and wanna know any tricks others used to save myself some headache. If not, then I'll get deep in it and have details for others upon completion.
 
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mind if i ask, in this same thread, what people think about the adjustable ball joints and if they are beneficial for people with lifts, if this is a hikack just say so and i'll alter my post.
 
chris360hawks said:
They are easy to do but get TOYOTA ball joints. Don't get moog or any other brand. Those are known to fail.
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Yip, Moog sucks. Mine started puking grease a few weeks after install and are just about shot at 8 months old. Advance Auto's parts are mostly made in Mexico so take what you will from that.

Izzard, I've never heard of anyone using the adjustables. Either that means they're no good, they're the next big thing and haven't caught on yet, or I'm just out of the loop on those.

I'll be replacing my lowers here soon (AGAIN) and even though I'll get reemed by the dealer, it's worth the price. OEM!
 
lowers will be easy and you should have no problem.

How are you planning on doing the uppers? do you have a press?
 
Toyota parts zone has the uppers for 32 a piece and lowers for 80 a piece. No way I'd use anything but Toyota parts.
 
Thanks everyone for the quick response. Majority leans toward Toyota ball joints. Does Toyota offer a lifetime warranty?

Yes I'll have access to a press.
 
Bummer, I just replaced mine and went with Moog parts. Well, at least I've got the install experience now if I have to do them again?
 
My Toyota dealer tells me that Toyota does NOT sell the upper ball joints as a replacement. You must purchase the steering knuckle with the ball joint already pressed in. Does anyone have the part number for the upper ball joint?

2001 4WD 4Runner SR5.

Thanks
 
Either he was talking about the lower ball joint or your dealer guy is smokin the good stuff because the upper ball joint is primarily a suspension component, not a steering component (although it does rotate). The lower is used for both and is connected to the tie rod coming from your steering rack.
 
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upper ball joint part number

Yes they are available as individual parts. The right side and left side are the same number.
43310-39016
 
brian2sun said:
Yip, Moog sucks. Mine started puking grease a few weeks after install and are just about shot at 8 months old. Advance Auto's parts are mostly made in Mexico so take what you will from that.
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Actually Mexico is pretty middle of the road for manufacturing quality. They aren't Japan or Korea, but they are better than China and much of SE Asia. My company has plants in most all these locations.

Not saying Moog doesn't suck, cause they do. Plus these days you have to take into account the fact that Mexico will soon be taken over by drug lords; I doubt that will be good for quality manufacturing.
 
Nelsonmd said:
Plus these days you have to take into account the fact that Mexico will soon be taken over by drug lords; I doubt that will be good for quality manufacturing.
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you forgot about the cocaine, i'm sure that manufacturing quality will go up, lol

to actually add something here, i heard moog's aren't that bad if you use the right grease with them and lube them up properly...

hearse so take that for what you will.
 
Nelsonmd said:
Actually Mexico is pretty middle of the road for manufacturing quality. They aren't Japan or Korea, but they are better than China and much of SE Asia. My company has plants in most all these locations.

Not saying Moog doesn't suck, cause they do. Plus these days you have to take into account the fact that Mexico will soon be taken over by drug lords; I doubt that will be good for quality manufacturing.
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Haha, was Mexico ever not run by drug lords?

theizzardking said:
you forgot about the cocaine, i'm sure that manufacturing quality will go up, lol
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I have never done cocaine in my life, but if I were to try it, I don't think I would go with the Mexican variety, maybe South American..

theizzardking said:
...to actually add something here, i heard moog's aren't that bad if you use the right grease with them and lube them up properly...
hearse so take that for what you will.
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That could be true for some Moog parts, but the ball joints are supposed to be maintenance free and are pre-lubed and sealed so there isn't an option to use the right grease. My issue was with the ridiculous quality rubber they used (which cracked and looked like chapped lips within the first 2-3 months I got them). And their warranty is pretty lame considering I would have had to take them off the truck and let it sit inoperable while waiting 3-4 weeks for them to get there, be inspected, and then have them send me reparied or new ones - all the while I pay shipping both ways (+ the shipping from the original purchase). Moog can suck it!
 
Nelsonmd said:
yeah, all the cool people are doing it...
Hulu - Saturday Night Live: Tressant Supreme
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Nice one!

Well ball joints went like ball joints....they sucked! The shop I was going to use was closed so I had the bright idea of tackling then with the ball joint pres kit rented from Advance. What a piece of $hit. We got it to work though. Also ended up doing tie rod ends too. All Duralast parts so we'll see how they perform compared to the other guys. Silly crackheads:wow: Getting alignment tomorrow. Also figured out why it always looked like she was leaning to the driver's side, cuz it was. I ended up just adjusting the driver's side up an inch. Would a bent sway bar connecting rod be the culprit? My driver's side is bent pretty darn bad. I gotta look more into the disconnect type stuff before I just throw a new one in.
 
1985taylor1925 said:
How do you diagnose bad ball joints?
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You should be able to know that while you’re driving. If there is a vibration or sound coming few inches from the wheel you will need to examine it. Obviously you will need the help of a jack. Jack up few inches of the ground and try moving the tire vertically, up, side and down but make sure the steering wheel is locked and the ignition is off.
If you saw the steering wheel is moving, that is the time you can tell you have a bad ball joint. Just make sure the front end is tight…
You have no other options but to replace the damaged joint. You should tell it’s damaged obviously when there is a tear on the rubber covering it. I highly recommend consulting someone who has a better knowledge on how to replace a ball joint. You can go on high street or call for car help online or maybe you can look for auto repair manuals out there. That’s all…. :bigok::driving:


0803_4wd_08_z+toyota_4runner+shattered_birfield.jpg

bad ball joint​
 
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