Advice Needed - Upper Ball Joints

Hey All,

New member to the group here as I just bought a 1998 Tacoma Xtra Cab 4WD with 223,000 miles. Frame is rust-free as it had the recall years ago & is rock solid - super stoked about the purchase.

I took it to a shop that specializes in 4wd vehicles and they let me know the upper ball joints had play & would need replacing. I have a buddy who has changed the ball joints on his 4runner & is going to help me do the work at his shop.

Question - after reading a few articles & watching a few Youtube videos, it seems the upper slides into the control arms for the 1st gen Tacoma - is there a difference in the type of upper ball joint you need to buy for a 98' 4WD drive Tacoma vs a 98' non 4WD?

The below links, where I was looking to get OEM parts, suggest that is the case. First link is for non 4WD, second link is for the 4WD:

https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem...model=4 Wheel Drive&extra1=&extra2=&filter=()

https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem...model=4 Wheel Drive&extra1=&extra2=&filter=()

Appreciate any tips & suggestions, alongside your experience handling upper ball joints on 1st gen 4WD. Want to make sure I'm buying the right parts & understanding the difference, if there is any.

Ben

 

The difference is whether it is a 5 lug chassis or 6 lug. A 6 lug chassis can be either 2wd or 4wd, but shares the same suspension. A 5 lug can only be 2wd, and has a completely different suspension. I suspect that is what you’re seeing.

 

$48?
I have a brand new greasable upper ball joint with the 4wd part# on it. Bought it for my '01, I don't have anymore, if you need it you can have it, just pay shipping.
I can't say for certain it's OEM genuine Toyota part.
There's a good chance it came from Amzn.

 

It’s a 6 lug. Included is a picture of upper ball joint, drivers side

 

Here is a great video on the entire process of changing an upper ball joint for a 6lug truck (it's for a 4 runner, but the parts and process are the same):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sY2azyLBuI

 

I just did this job on my 1995 Tacoma 6 lug 4x4 just a couple days ago. Also did the lower ball joints and put Bilstein 4600s in.

One of the videos I watched cautioned that because of the potential pounding required by a BFH on the upper ball joint, this pounding gets transferred down to the LBJ. The suggestion was to change the lowers also after pounding out the UBJ because the impacts absorbed by the LBJ are No Bueno for the LBJs.

I would suggest a Harbor Freight or better digital caliper to measure the ID of the UBJ mounting hole and the diameter of the LBJ going into it. It is a press fit and depending on the quality of the BJ you get, there may be some grinding of the ID to get the UBJ to seat properly. Don’t ask me how I know.

Mike

 

No- There is no grinding. Can you let us know what parts you were using?

 

What? Wait! NO grinding! It’s a press fit for a reason

 

Yes, it ultimately was a press fit

Here is what NOT to buy

$83 A-Premium Set of 4, Front Upper & Lower Ball Joints Kit, Compatible with Toyota Tacoma 1995-2004, 4WD Only

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS439F4Y

I doubt that one can press fit +1.0mm and + 0.7mm, certainly not with a BFH in that space pounding upward. These dimensions were the differences that my digital caliper measured vs. the mounting hole diameter.

I completely understand that Toyota OEM parts are the "Holy Grail" of Toyota maintenance and reliability, however, for my needs and budget I choose a more cost effective parts solutions at times. I only drive my Toyotas about 5K miles per year so I don't need and am unwilling to pay the Toyota parts premium.

As we say in industrial marketing: "It's only a benefit to someone if they are willing to pay for it."

Mike

 

Clearly, you do not understand. The lower ball joints are the single most critical / failure-prone item on these trucks. Going with non-OEM lower ball joints is simply asking for failure.

 

Thank you Andy for the warning. I will be on the look out for any hints of impending failure or weakness in those parts.

Mike

 

Even the best ones (OEM) fail without warning. Those knock offs don't even stand a chance. You didn't do your homework on this one. There is no amount of willful or hopeful ignorance that will stop the inferior product from failing. The fact that you were willing to GRIND the posts to fit is insane. You're a danger to everyone on the road around you.

 

I would just do all four. They’re probably all ready for replacement.

 

From what I've read on here, and please correct me if I'm wrong, the lower ball joints has to be OEM Toyota, however, the uppers can be another "good" brand since it's less prone to failure than the LBJ.

 

I work with a lot of heavy equipment. I'm sure some parts made by toyota work better than others but to think only toyota makes parts that work good for toyota is a crazy thought.
Remember, it's that 'better' toyota part you're replacing to begin with.

 

You're right- other companies make great or better parts than OEM - I have many non-OEM parts on my truck. But not 1st gen lower ball joints (with the small caveat of the TC uniball lower ball joint conversion, but the price tag is rather prohibitive). The design is prone to failure without warning, and other members in the past have taken it upon themselves to tear down / cut apart the non-OEM parts to prove that. This isn't something new. It's fact that non-OEM ball joints are inferior. Do people still run them? Obviously. Is it safe? When the part is in good condition sure. The issue is that the non-OEM parts wear faster than the OEM ones. If the OEM ones are good for 70k and the owner with the "premium" after market parts expects that same lifespan outta them, they aren't going to be inspecting them until that time, which won't happen cause their tire will have already fallen off their truck.

 

I get it but how many people replacing a 1st gen lbj are expecting to get another 70k out of the truck, period. lol
How many of these balljoints are going bad because of owner neglect? Big lifts, OEM lca's/uca's, geometry so far off I'm suprised the lbj doesn't snap as soon as weight is applied.
Got a coworker with a lifted 4runner going through lbj's, what seems like, quarterly.
Really surprised his cv's held up this long. lol

 

Ummmmm, a LOT of us expect to get more than another 70k out of our first gens. 2001 w/ 150k.

 

Damn, that's it?
I had over 200k on my '01 when I traded it in 7yrs. ago.

 

lol who let the turd genner in here