Ball joint/ tie rod brands recommendation

Discussion in 'Suspension/Chassis' started by Juicyy, Mar 31, 2017.

  1. Juicyy

    Juicyy Member

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    Hey everyone.
    It's time for me to consider replacing my ball joints and tie rods to tighten up my steering. I'm on a 1993 2wd with 137K under the bonnet, and I think everything is original. The steering wheel has a good amount of play, I can drive down the freeway and jiggle the wheel and you won't feel a thing.

    Has anybody had great success with no name aftermarket brands like AM Autoparts or A1 Autoparts? Do people prefer to use name brands like Moog on your replacement parts, or do you go as high up in quality as to buy OEM Toyota parts?
     
  2. jetas

    jetas Grand Toyotaholic

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    I bought all moog for mine. About 200 for 4 ball joints, 4 tie rod ends and new tie rod adjusting sleeves
     
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  3. Justin Danger

    Justin Danger Toyotaholic

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    Make sure that the lower ball joints have castle nuts. I bought a set of moog ball joints for my last truck, and only the top had castle nuts, the lowers had just nylon lock nuts.
     
  4. BatryOpratedBoy

    BatryOpratedBoy Enthusiast

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    Also if applicable make sure to check the lash on your steering box. Basically a 12mm box wrench and a flat-head. Don't turn it in too much or it will bind when steering... I basically adjusted it till (when twisting the steering shaft by hand) it moved a reasonable amount but didn't bind through the range of steering.
     
  5. Juicyy

    Juicyy Member

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    Thanks everyone,
    I'll try adjusting the lash first, if it still has excessive free play, I'll look into dropping two Benjamins on some parts.
     
  6. fred heath

    fred heath Addict

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    Check for play in the pitman arm.
     
  7. TRUCK ACTION

    TRUCK ACTION Grand Toyotaholic

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    Yes on Moog, been around a long time!
     
  8. Juicyy

    Juicyy Member

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    thanks everyone. I checked the connections; the ball joints, tie ends, pitman arm and idler are all tight, but i do have excessive play in the lash. i'll get to adjusting that first, feel how it rides, and go from there. great info all around!
     
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  9. neonjay

    neonjay Member

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    Another vote for Moog. Have them and have no problems so far. Their warranty is great also.
     
  10. Perkolator

    Perkolator Toyotaholic

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    Late to the party but I vote for parts made by Sankei "555" -- name is cast into the metal. Typically reboxed into other brands like Moog and Beck Arnley, etc.
     
  11. unclejesse

    unclejesse Newbie

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    I agree, I've found 555 in both moog and beck arnley before. also found nippendenso electrical items in beck arnley before. Also, the moog that i have bought recently that wasn't 555, seemed to be not very good quality.
     

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