Ball Joints or Alignment?

[RiverRat37]

My 1999 Limited has 124k miles. I'm thinking about changing the ball joints just as a precautionary measure. I've owned it for 2 weeks and don't know when the last alignment was performed. The front passenger tire has slight wear on the inside. Would it be wise to go ahead and change just lowers or uppers and lowers for both sides? OR should I just have it aligned and let the factory ball joints roll for a while? Also what name brand of ball joints are good for regular driving with no trail riding and where is a good place to get them? Thanks in advance for checking this out...

 

[LittleCaesar]

Use OEM or folks have been using NAPAs as of late. Use the search engine for the multiple threads on the LBJs. Skip the uppers unless they really need to be replaced.

 

[RiverRat37]

OK thanks man I already priced some at napa... I've been told that Moog are good ball joints too? Either one better than the other? LittleCaesar are you in NC? Thanks bro...

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Stay away from MOOG. Can't stress that enough.

 

[RiverRat37]

Glad to hear some input on MOOG... Around my area people say they are the best. I'll stay away from them. My mechanic friend said AC Delco are good for regular everyday driving... Are they?

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Look for ones manufactured by Altrom. They make the OEM ones.

 

[LittleCaesar]

+1 on staying far away from the Moog, at least for Toyota. For American applications, they work well. Let AC Delco stay on the Chevys.

The 4runner likes OEM parts. There are a few instances (such as the NAPA LBJs) where non OEM seems up to par.

I am outside of Elizabeth City, NC but work in VA, as well as in Jacksonville FL and sometimes Charleston, SC.

 

[RiverRat37]

Where is the best place to buy OEM ball joints? Toyota dealership? I have no patience on ordering and waiting so where would be my best bet locally? I'm a NOOB thru and thru... Just trying to learn this stuff.... Thanks everybody!!

 

[brian2sun]

I had Moogs and changed them out because I noticed both of the rubber boots cracked really bad. When I took them out, one felt seized up and the other one was way too loose - but that was only after a few months!! So the Moogs are total junk. I replaced them with Napas and they are holding up well. Just paint the Napas before you put them on because they aren't usually painted and they'll rust kinda easy.

 

[Ape Runner]

I did upper and lowers using OEM parts and making sure I follow proper procedures. It was a piece of cake. Then I got an alignment. Rig drives way better and I have peace of mind.

 

[stro908]

I just put Sankei (555) on my '99 with 200k miles (figured it was time after hearing about all these ball joint failures!)

They are awesome quality Made in Japan AND they are pre-threaded for Zirk fittings!

Spend the extra $20 per side and get these. From what I understand, Sankei is the OEM supplier for Toyota.

99 1999 Toyota 4Runner Ball Joint - Suspension - First Equipment Quality, Sankei 555, Beck Arnley, Mevotech, Moog, PartsMaster, Front Upper, Front Lower Right, Front Lower Left, Lower, Upper - PartsGeek


I got mine locally for about $59- per side, but partsgeek.com seems to be a decent price.

 

[RiverRat37]

OK now I'm in a dilemma on my lbj's... I'm either getting OEM from dealership for $214 for both sides or NAPA Chassis Premiums for $176 for both... Decisions, decisions.... This is my every day driver vehicle with NO off roading so I guess it probably doesn't matter which brand...

 

[RS Dude]

I had Moogs and changed them out because I noticed both of the rubber boots cracked really bad. When I took them out, one felt seized up and the other one was way too loose - but that was only after a few months!! So the Moogs are total junk. I replaced them with Napas and they are holding up well. Just paint the Napas before you put them on because they aren't usually painted and they'll rust kinda easy.

Were your Moogs made in Japan by 555 Sankei?

 

[theizzardking]

Stay away from MOOG. Can't stress that enough.

thought i i would add if you walk in to a napa store and just ask for the napa premiums they are MOOG brand, the napa brand that people are talking about are raybestos and can only be ordered from the web site.

i went to napa on friday trying to pick up the lbj's everyone here was talking about and when i asked the guy behind the counter who the manufacture was, he said MOOG, and then i politely smile and said no thank you.

i'll be ordering oem's from trdparts4u.com

just an fyi

 

[RiverRat37]

I called my local NAPA this morning and was on the website at the same time. I told the guy which brand lbj's I wanted, NAPA Chassis Parts brand, part #2601566 right side and part #2601567 left side. He looked them up and read me back the info that I was looking at on the website and told me he'd have them for me to pick up tomorrow. Hopefully he orders what I need...

 

[Pikeman]

I got mine from toyotapartsales.com (the OEM side of TRDparts4u.com) and they were $77 each. They have great customer service and quick shipping. They are basically selling parts online for employee pricing instead of retail or retail + mark up.

I also had MOOG LBJ's on for 40k and they were bad when I took them off. The factory ones lasted 185K so I went back to factory ones when I did my full front end rebuild.

If you take your truck to a reputable alignment shop and ask for a front end inspection they will tell you if you need new ball joints, tie rod ends etc. At 124k you shouldnt have to be to worried as they seem to go out closer to 180k+ but it is good cheap insurance if you can afford now.

 

[RiverRat37]

Yeah man after seeing Opi's nightmare with his truck I'm wanting to do all the preventative maintenance I can with mine. I'm buying the lbj's tomorrow and ordering my Koyo today. I put axle seals in last week so I'm trying to do what I can with the budget I'm on. I figure the lbj's and radiator will be 2 good starting points. The axle seals were seeping a little fluid both sides so I went ahead and fixed that along with some new shoes both sides also last week.