Unboxing: Raybestos Pro-Grade LBJs

[chadsy]

Hey, guys.

I just received my package from Amazon that contained my much needed LBJs. I found out during the install that both of my ITR's are shot to hell but I'm trying not to think about that right now. Anyway, on to the unboxing.

I was quite disappointed when I saw the generic white box. The only thing I could think of was "Chinese junk".

This was the only identifier on the package.

Suddenly, A lot of my concern was put at ease. Included in the package is a piece of paper that points out that the part was "Made in Japan" :angel: You will also notice the "555" logo cast on the joint itself.

Overall, I'm very happy with the quality of the part. Very heavy duty. It matches up exactly with the OE that I pulled up. In fact, the dust boot actually seems to be an improvement over the original design.

The part is much better than the Duralast and Moog joints I inspected earlier in the month trying to find the most cost effective replacement for my wallet. Those brands seemed much lighter and flimsy than the Raybestos. This surface also seems to have a good finish on it. Doesn't appear that it will rust very quickly.

I purchased both joints for about $52 / ea from Amazon and with my prime membership had free 2 day delivery.

Overall: Very Satisfied. Would highly recommend to those of you about to upgrade.:thanks:

 

[TheKorstjens]

Cool. Seems to be a good alternative to oem. Make sure to report back in the future on whether they hold up. That sort of thing is very helpful for those shopping around. I know alot of the other aftermarket lbjs have been known to fail after just a couple years or less. Hope these do better. Good luck

 

[LittleCaesar]

IMHO, with LBJs there is no good alternative. Spend the extra $50 for an OEM pair. But they do look good. Don't forget the blue loctite.

 

[RS Dude]

I bought the same ones last year, but at that time they were sold under the MOOG brand, same price as you paid. I am 100% happy with mine...very good Japanese quality. One tip, before you install them fill them with grease (use cone adapter with grease gun) by removing that small black bolt on the side. Make sure to fill it completely by purging the air out of the small purge valve on the rubber boot.:israel:

 

[OffRoadGuy]

Looks like the 555 brand. I'd paint them also, OEM comes already painted.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Looks like the 555 brand. I'd paint them also, OEM comes already painted.

It's been said before but it can be said again so here is my understanding based on past threads:

The 555 stamp is NOT an indication of any brand. And It is NOT an indication of OEM quality ball joint.

It MAY be an indication that the aftermarket parts company used an OEM steel cast when replicating the LBJ part.

However this really doesn't mean anything about how safe the actual ball joint is against failing because when Moog (or whatever brand) fails it isn't the cast steel of the LBJ but rather the non-OEM rubber joint that fails.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Btw you can buy each OEM ball joint for $85 each. No tax and free shipping from Camelback.

The OP likely paid $105 shipped. Maybe more for people who live in CA.


You can get a pair of OEM for $165 from this dealer in AZ. Free shipping over $75 and no tax.

So a premium of $60 for peace of mind and real Toyota approved parts.

Link:
1999 Toyota 4Runner Parts - Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping

 

[OffRoadGuy]

It's been said before but I guess it must be said again:

The 555 stamp is not an indication of any brand. And It is not an indication of OEM quality ball joint.

Sankei 555 is a brand in itself. They sell to other retailers, and having them repackaged to suit their logo. That's why I said paint them because they are a lesser quality as OEM. But if you put an order in to Sankei and say you want the specs just like Toyota. Then the price is going to be higher. For example the paint, OEM comes painted. another thing is rubber. All rubber are not alike. Thus the higher price for quality material.

 

[chadsy]

Btw you can buy each OEM ball joint for $85 each. No tax and free shipping from Camelback.

The OP likely paid $113 shipped for both since Amazon charges tax now.

You can get a pair of OEM for $170 from this dealer in AZ. Free shipping over $75 and no tax. So a premium of $57 for peace of mind.

Link:
1999 Toyota 4Runner Parts - Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping

Amazon didn't charge me tax and I don't do any wheeling so there will be little to no additional stress put on the joints. I feel very confident in my purchase after comparing them with the OE's I pulled off.

 

[steezemcqueen]

Those look just like the Moog ones that i bought. I would highly recommend returning them and just buying OEM ones. The Moog ones i had were installed at 185k miles and removed at 215k. The boots joints themselves were crunchy and would bind up after a certain point. The OEM ones that i took off at 185k were in better shape than the 30k miles Moog's.

OEM or nothing. Its not worth you losing one and totaling your truck or putting yours or someone elses lives in danger.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Sankei 555 is a brand in itself.

So the 555 means the steel cast was made by Sinkei?

It is still agreed then that:
1) the steel isn't what normally fails
2) the true quality of the actual rubber ball joint is not related to the 555 stamp in any way

 

[opie74]

Been running these from Rock Auto for over a year about about 15,000 miles. Couple pumps of synthetic grease every oil change to push out the old grease and they are holding up fine.

 

[RS Dude]

I bet no one here has a picture of one of these 555 ball joints broken. If so, please post picture.:flamewar:

 

[JayRolla]

I bet no one here has a picture of one of these 555 ball joints broken. If so, please post picture.:flamewar:

Because they are in the trash. Stick too oem, its not worth it, I have ran non oem parts in so many cars and it always comes down too, run oem you will save in the long run. I would feel more safe running used oem ball joints with 60k miles on them than new non oems.

 

[Cow_doc.308]

Btw you can buy each OEM ball joint for $85 each. No tax and free shipping from Camelback.

The OP likely paid $113 shipped for both since Amazon charges tax now.

You can get a pair of OEM for $170 from this dealer in AZ. Free shipping over $75 and no tax. So a premium of $57 for peace of mind.

Link:
1999 Toyota 4Runner Parts - Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping

I looked these up for my 97 runner 4x4. It only has left and right listed as 2wd. Is it not the same part for 4x4? Or am I missing something here?

 

[BrianSD_42]

$164 shipped for both L & R side 4WD from Camelback Toyota of AZ

Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping

:naughty:

Note the MSRP price. This is often what your local dealer charges. The price below shown as "Your Price" is Camelback Toyota's online sales price. If you walk into their dealership they also charge around MSRP.

If you call them be sure to mention you want the internet sales price. They will help you put together any shopping cart you need and still give you the cheaper price.


Picture below:

 

[chadsy]

I just wanted to post an update... these are the very same joints being sold under NAPA premium. I have a buddy that manages a store and he said most of NAPA premium is produced by Affinia aka Raybestos/Spicer.

 

[BrianSD_42]

these are the very same joints being sold under NAPA premium. I have a buddy that manages a store and he said most of NAPA premium is produced by Affinia aka Raybestos/Spicer.

Thats good to know. My personal reading is a small data point but I have not read about any NAPA premium joints failing.

It is also worth noting that Moog is actually owned by NAPA. They are NAPA's "low end" brand. I was told that by the sales manager for NAPA in San Diego whom I randomly was chatting with at a bar lol.

 

[nobb]

Here is a link to my findings on the LBJ debate and why OEM is still best:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...tos-poor-quality-design-flaw-my-findings.html

It would be interesting if the OP could comment and compare his LBJs with the findings from my thread to see if it is consistent.

 

[chadsy]

Here is a link to my findings on the LBJ debate and why OEM is still best:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...tos-poor-quality-design-flaw-my-findings.html

It would be interesting if the OP could comment and compare his LBJs with the findings from my thread to see if it is consistent.

I didn't notice any roughness to the joints and there was a noticeable difference from the moog and duralast ball joints I inspected. They were substantially lighter in weight compared to the Raybestos. The Moog did also have the 555 stamp but that doesn't mean they are the same internally.