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