Ball Joints.... Again

Time to replace the ball joints, 158K on the 05. I've been reading about how great this or that one is only to see them end up getting trashed elsewhere. So here's three I'm looking OEM, XRF and Sankei 555. The Sankei 555 you can service, the others are sealed. The XRF is supposedly built stronger, hence better and the OEM is supposed to be the best. Opinions anyone??

 

Oem

 

100% I would go OEM, and here's my reasoning why: https://youtu.be/TCzcKfUyfcM?si=EdL9PUOUzUoN59r2

 

My OEMs always go at least 100k before I decide to replace them, lots of off-roading rough driving and zero issues...confidence is what they deliver.

 

Thanks looks like OEM...

 

is this you in the video?

 

Just did my ball joints and control arms. OEM all the way on critical parts brother!

 

OEM and done.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/lower-ball-joints-part-numbers.97100/reply?quote=2465807

 

Thanks to all, finally watched the youtube vid... Oh yea 100% OEM, have them in a shopping cart at McGeorge's
unless someone knows a cheaper place?? So far it's right at 3 c-notes(new bolts included) and I just drop some
coin for strut kits, Monroe from RockAuto... Looking for the struts led me to the ball joint issue...
Go figure it's only money.... Thanks again to everyone!!

 

Should have asked about the struts as well.

 

Live and learn..

 

Yeah, Monroe is absolute garbage. Good on other stuff, shit on our trucks. Very squishy.

 

Yup, that's the major complaint: Soft and sloppy. KYB is OEM quality and about the same price, at least last I checked. Bilstein 4600 is equivalent to the OEM TRD/Offroad setup.

At least he didn't order Rough Country or Rancho. Could be worse.

 

I have an annoying that this bolt that has a washer on it for alignments…is this the area of the control arm? And is it hard job to replace this squeaky bolt?

 

That's one of your cam bolts, it holds your lower control arm (LCA) on. It shouldn't be squeaking necessarily, are you sure your lower control arm bushings aren't shot?

Whatever you do, DO NOT recommend to replace it with aftermarket. You'll regret it. Others have in order to save $$ (the OEM part is pricy), apparently all the aftermarket cam bolts come with plastic sleeves that disintegrate/crush.

 

Gotchya! Thanks! We had it on my pals lift and he said the squeak was coming from that bolt…he said there is a bushing that the bolt goes thru that is probably the culprit.

 

I strongly recommend replacing your UCAs and LCAs when you do the ball joints. As @shifty` said make sure your cam bolts, sleeves and toes are all OEM. I got 192k outta mine so I'm expecting the same.

 

Gotchya! Didn’t plan on putting much $ into since I’m looking to upgrade into a newer long bed…..but I cannot stand the squeak anymore!! Any ideas how much all that front end work would cost?

 

It's more of a "tube" than what I'd call it a "bushing". But sometimes the terminology I use doesn't jibe with others' preferences.

I'm just trying to figure out what would squeak in there. Maybe you've got some rust built up inside and the squeak is just that? I'd check the bolt and bushings, in case your LCA bushings are shot, and that's the source.

 

If the rubber bushing is bad enough, the arm itself can be off center far enough that the metal of the arm can rub against the frame, inside where it's mounted.

Easy enough to spray with lubricant and see if noise temporarily goes away.


The bolt goes through a sleeve or tube as @shifty` said, so it's not gonna be the bolt. Although the sleeve and inner bushing could make noise too. Usually not though, as it's clamped when the bolt is tight.

 

I been douching it out w blaster n lithium spray w minimal effectiveness….but that’s only from crawling down there n not on a lift.

 

If you go OEM (a must for LBJs and highly recommended for all else mentioned) you're roughly looking somewhere between $1200 - $1300 for parts alone. Don't know how much it'd cost to take to a shop or dealer.

 

Thanks!!

 

Have you removed the sway bar end link (temporarily) to eliminate it as a possibility?

 

Na. Haven’t gotten that far yet. I think Tuesday I will be able to get it on my pals lift again.

 

Come on down!!!!!!

 

OEM... Preventive maintenance is better than repair.