Interesting Find: Lower Ball Joints

econhonda

econhonda

New member
So I was on the fence about whether or not to buy OEM lower ball joints or to get the NAPA ones. My thinking was that the NAPA ones come with a limited lifetime warranty, and all of the hardware (bolts, castle nut, etc.). The OEM ones are supposed to be the best, but I decided to go with NAPA since they were in stock and I wanted to knock them out this weekend. Well, much to my surprise, I opened the NAPA box and what do I see? "555" stamped on the bottom of each lower ball joint. 555 is the logo for Sankei, which is who makes Toyota's lower ball joint in Japan. I have a feeling these are the exact same part as what the dealership would have sold to me, but now I get all of the hardware, the limited lifetime warranty, the OEM quality, and the NAPA price.

I guess your results may vary, but I'm feeling pretty good about it. Just thought I'd share...
 
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brianemc2_42 said:
It might not be as exact as you think!

Read this recent thread. We talk about "what is an exact part"

Link > http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/89825-water-pump-timing-belt-rant.html

:cheers:
Click to expand...

Interesting read for sure. Not knowing much about QA processes or manufacturing in general, I can't really give a meaningful perspective. However, being somewhat versed in the field of economics, I will fully support the notion that everyone has their own agenda and incentive. For this reason, I wouldn't believe a mechanic or a toyota parts salesman. Nor would I believe the Napa salesman. I guess in this case I'm willing to take the risk.

I will say that in theory, your reasoning sounds plausible, but TheDurk also made some very convincing points as well regarding the QA process.

To each his own. For me? I'll take the cheaper OEM part with a warranty! :hungry:
 
This is interesting, I looked them up on Napa Auto Online and they have several versions available on the site all with different prices. One is listed as the "Sankei 555 Brand" which is the one you probably got. But I show it at a price of $125 in my area, when I seach the part on other sites like toyotapartsales.com I can get the OEM for $78.
 
Just so people know the OEM ball joint comes with the castle nut and cotter pin in the box. The only hardware not included is the 8 bolts that connect the ball joint to the spindle.
 
TheeMikeB said:
This is interesting, I looked them up on Napa Auto Online and they have several versions available on the site all with different prices. One is listed as the "Sankei 555 Brand" which is the one you probably got. But I show it at a price of $125 in my area, when I seach the part on other sites like toyotapartsales.com I can get the OEM for $78.
Click to expand...

My NAPA had them for $77/each. Including hardware, and no shipping costs, this made for a much better deal in my area.
 
rjaudi said:
Just so people know the OEM ball joint comes with the castle nut and cotter pin in the box. The only hardware not included is the 8 bolts that connect the ball joint to the spindle.
Click to expand...

Actually, now that I'm looking at the site again, I believe they gave me the Senkei's at the napa price... I wonder if this was a mixup or if they are one and the same...
 
This topic has come up on other forums too. They all say "555". My horrible, crap quality MOOGs that only lasted less than a year were marked "555". My OEMs were too. And my NAPAs that are a few months old also have "555" stamped on them. But.. I can definitely tell you that there is a big quality difference from MOOGs to OEMs/NAPAs.

As far as I'm concerned, I haven't found any reason to believe the NAPAs aren't as good quality as the OEMs, but time will tell. I got 10 years out of my OEMs, but so far my NAPAs are holding up great. They also accept a grease fitting too so that's cool (I don't remember if the OEMs do or not).

Point is, "555" means nothing. It's all about the quality of the ball and the boots. I think aftermarket companies buy the molds from Sankei or "555" or maybe they rebuild old ones and sell them as new, but whatever it is, there are definitely different internal parts being used.

EDIT: Oh, and my Beck/Arnley outer tie rods are marked "555" too.
 
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I don't have anything meaningful to add to this thread other than to say my Napa had 2 different ones. Their Premiums and an Economy line. They were about $20 difference in price. I don't know what the other differences are but I got the Premiums
 
$73 for OEM LBJ per side,.71 cents per bolt, $13 to ship from 1st toyota parts, priceless - not having to worry about catastrophic failure.
 
brian2sun said:
As far as I'm concerned, I haven't found any reason to believe the NAPAs aren't as good quality as the OEMs, but time will tell. I got 10 years out of my OEMs, but so far my NAPAs are holding up great. They also accept a grease fitting too so that's cool (I don't remember if the OEMs do or not).
Click to expand...

9 years later, any updates on your experience with NAPA front end parts?
 
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