ball joints (4WD)

[zeratool]

I got a reply from the guy selling van ball joints on ebay now--he said that the brand is Sankei. Anyone heard of that brand? Price is right but not if you have to replace them 10K from now.
Thanks,
Rob

[timsrv]

Keep in mind that the 4wd and 2wd vans use different ball joints. 4wd upper ball joints are non-replaceable (you must replace the entire upper control arm). There has been some speculation that perhaps with some machine work a ball joint from something else could be made to work here, but IMO there's just not enough material in this area for that to be safe or practical (at least for keeping things a stock height). If you're planning on lifting, then you can add material to the bottom and modify like was done HERE, but it's a big job.

FWIW, I replaced the ball joints on my 2wd van: http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/s...t-2-hours-(2wd). They didn't show any excessive play but I felt like it was something I should do because that van is always overloaded. It had about 135k miles on it at the time. I used Beck Arnley parts that I purchased from www.rockauto.com. Recently I checked them again (at about 150k miles) and found the RF upper joint to be completely wasted (had about 3/8" vertical play). Now I'm thinking I should have left the originals there. I still have them and may put them back if I have any more failures here. I'm monitoring the situation before I make up my mind as it could have been a fluke. Moral of this story is to leave the original equipment alone unless it's actually bad .

If you decide to proceed, make sure your old ones have actually failed and verify you're ordering 4wd parts. Genuine Toyota 4wd upper control arms (if still available) will likely run you around $250-$300 each. Tim

[zeratool]

I agree with not touching these parts unless needed. Unfortunately I am getting the telltale symptoms of ball joint play--In 4wd I get one clunk when I turn the wheel and acellerate--doesnt matter what speed, I will still get a clunk. Seems like a binding/releasing is happening--Not the same as CV joint symptoms. In the snow a couple of days ago I went to a large area that I could diagnose (slide, jam the brakes, play) and I could get the same clunk when braking hard (locking the brakes). I will be going to LA next week where I have a good friend with a shop. I can get the van off the ground and start playing with the suspension to find the problem...in 80 degree weather. I am planning to do my plugged heater core then too (he has all the ac equipment). The ebay guy is selling the lowers with the correct #s for 4WD when compared to Toyota parts zone site. I will probably bite the bullet and get Toy parts unless I they are NA.

[pete]

I did the beck Arnley replacement(bought them when they had that special price. I think it was just on the uppers or lowers for the price break but i bought both) on only one side upper and lower on my 86 2wd about 1,500 miles ago. Van has 183,000 and genuine were on there and probably original. When i took a pry bar to them they moved a little, so i decided to replace one side only. I will be watching and comparing the two sides. I might even put some better condition used genuine on the side I have not replaced just so i don't have any movement.

[Harbilly]

At 220,000 miles my lower right has worn out. Local shop tried a stream of replacements from the parts guys (all wrong) so we are now waiting for a part from 1st Toyota (Titus-Will) If that doesn't work anyone want to suggest another supplier?

[timsrv]

I looked this up on the EPC and found it calls out Toyota #43330-29166 for the lower right. I entered this part number on Titus Will's website (www.1sttoyotaparts.com) and it came up as available for around $60.

I also found aftermarket ball joints on www.rockauto.com listed for 4wd vans. The right lowers are RAYBESTOS Part # 5051184 or ACDELCO Part # 45D2184. Both are in the $100 range. Lower lefts are also available for about the same price. IMO the Toyota part will most likely be of higher quality and you get a lower price to boot! Hope this helps. Good luck. Tim

[rowemjr]

First time posting here. I recently purchased a 89 4wd when going over bumps the front end has a sort of knocking sound. I was thinking it may be the ball joints. After reading it seems these are around $300 and probably not available anyway so i searched what i believe to be the part number 48067-28050 and sure enough it pulls up a part on Amazon for around $50. Can anyone confirm the fitment or that this is correct part number?
Thanks

[timsrv]

Hi & welcome to TVT! That's very interesting that these are available on Amazon for so cheap (Toyota discount sites are selling for around $350 now). I checked the EPC and verified this is the correct part number (for left side upper). Although the ones on Amazon are using a Toyota part number, I can't help but think these must be Chinese reproductions. None the less, I couldn't resist the price and I purchased a set of them. FYI, the 4wd van uses 4 unique ball joints. 2 on the left (upper and lower) and 2 on the right (these are mirror image & non interchangeable from side to side). The lowers are just simple ball joints, but the uppers are integral with the upper control arm (if a ball joint fails you need to replace the entire upper control arm). Until you posted about the Amazon ones, I wasn't aware these were available from anywhere except Toyota (thank you). Here are the part numbers for 87 - 89 4wd Toyota Van ball joints:

Upper left control arm w/ball joint #48067-28050

Upper right control arm w/ball joint #48066-28050

Lower left ball joint #43340-29116

Lower right ball joint #43330-29166

Regarding the noise in your front end, don't just assume it's the ball joints. You'll want to get under there and check to verify before replacing.


The easy way is to take your van in for a front end alignment. If the tech knows what he's doing he'll check these before trying to align. By law they are required to check and are not allowed to align if these parts are worn beyond spec. If that's the case, they'll tell you about it. These ball joints are pretty tough, so I suspect your factory ones are still good. When the front suspension makes noise, it's usually due to dry upper control arm bushings. On the 4wd there are plugs you can pull out & install grease zerks. It's not a bad idea to get up in there from time to time with a grease gun. Tim

[rowemjr]

Awesome info tim! Thanks so much! The price is great and I felt like I'd stumbled on to something to good to be true. I'll definitely look into the other possible causes that you mention.

[djshimon]

It may be too good to be true-On Amazon that link Tim posted says they are currently unavailable. I look forward to hearing about them from you, if/when you get them. I know at some point I will need to do this repair.

[timsrv]

When I went there it said there were 3 available for each side. I was tempted to buy them all (actually had them all in my cart ), but then reconsidered thinking it would be rude (in case rowemjr hadn't purchased yet and/or if anybody else here wanted to buy). I only ordered one set & have gotten shipping confirmation from Amazon (saying they'll be here next week). I'm guessing rowemjr and one other person purchased after me, so that would account for them all disappearing. On the Amazon listing I see the seller is Febest. We've talked about them on the forum before. They started flooding the market with automotive bushings a few years ago. I had previously checked their product reviews and found people were saying good things about them (things like "better than OEM"). I'm pretty sure I'll get what is pictured on the listing, but what confuses me is where these are coming from. Since Febest specializes in bushings, did they expand to more things or did they team-up with another aftermarket manufacturer & build from scratch? They are advertising with OEM part numbers, but I seriously doubt they're OEM (Toyota wants $350 each for these). If they are building these from scratch, then it's likely they'll restock soon. I'd recommend checking back in a few weeks. Tim

PS: I'll post some pics and my opinion of "perceived" quality when they arrive.

[Elbe]

Hi & welcome to TVT! That's very interesting that these are available on Amazon for so cheap (Toyota discount sites are selling for around $350 now). I checked the EPC and verified this is the correct part number (for left side upper). Although the ones on Amazon are using a Toyota part number, I can't help but think these must be Chinese reproductions. None the less, I couldn't resist the price and I purchased a set of them. FYI, the 4wd van uses 4 unique ball joints. 2 on the left (upper and lower) and 2 on the right (these are mirror image & non interchangeable from side to side). The lowers are just simple ball joints, but the uppers are integral with the upper control arm (if a ball joint fails you need to replace the entire upper control arm). Until you posted about the Amazon ones, I wasn't aware these were available from anywhere except Toyota (thank you). Here are the part numbers for 87 - 89 4wd Toyota Van ball joints:

Upper left control arm w/ball joint #48067-28050

Upper right control arm w/ball joint #48066-28050

Lower left ball joint #43340-29116

Lower right ball joint #43330-29166

Regarding the noise in your front end, don't just assume it's the ball joints. You'll want to get under there and check to verify before replacing.


The easy way is to take your van in for a front end alignment. If the tech knows what he's doing he'll check these before trying to align. By law they are required to check and are not allowed to align if these parts are worn beyond spec. If that's the case, they'll tell you about it. These ball joints are pretty tough, so I suspect your factory ones are still good. When the front suspension makes noise, it's usually due to dry upper control arm bushings. On the 4wd there are plugs you can pull out & install grease zerks. It's not a bad idea to get up in there from time to time with a grease gun. Tim

Tim, I just ordered the left front upper control arm and ball joint from Moog, they said it fits 88 4wd TV but I am a bit doubtful. Do you know anything about the Moog control arms? I was just reading all your info on the ones you got from amazon. How do you like the aftermarket ones from febestparts? I also got a left outer tie rod end from Moog as well. Just being cautious.

Thanks

[timsrv]

If you give me the part numbers you ordered I can tell you if they will fit. I know Moog sells these control arms for 2wd vans (I just replaced uppers and lowers on mine with Moog), but I doubt they have them for 4wd's............ I could be wrong. Tim

[Elbe]

If you give me the part numbers you ordered I can tell you if they will fit. I know Moog sells these control arms for 2wd vans (I just replaced uppers and lowers on mine with Moog), but I doubt they have them for 4wd's............ I could be wrong. Tim

Thanks Tim, I did try the Moog but unfortunately it did not fit, it has a totally different configuration from the 4wd upper control arms. But I did order the ones you had mentioned in your thread from amazon. Fingers crossed.

[filterway]

Hi all,

i think to replace my poor chinese upper arm installed in 2013 because they make a lot of cracking and for alignment they are a little be too short to be Inside the green zone.

I found febest upper arm at 59.95$ each... Should i guess buying theses parts? My other option is to buy directly from JAPAN OEM upper arm at 220$... big difference.

Someone had experience with FEBEST upper arm?


thank you.

[Carbonized]

Someone had experience with FEBEST upper arm?
.

Guess what?

fibest2jpg.jpg

Febest is German, yet they manufacture in China, and if you read the whole thread you'll find that whether from Crapazon or Fleabay or any independent they all come from China. The OEM are NLA from Japan too. If you order from Lakeland, Rockauto, or other online store they place the order to Japan , then they are told the part is NLA and cancel your order in an Email a week later. You have just wasted a week and they have made interest on your( as well as hundred others) money for that period of time.

The Febest is not a bad part, but when placed side by side with the Toyota you could question the quality and sturdiness.

20180328_113940.jpg

The OEM is a lot beefier. After installing the Febests I started cleaning the OEM, just for giggles, What I found under the rust and dirt was some amazing pieces of casting. I flushed out the old crusted grease from the ball joint, and bearings by pumping WD 40 and laquer thinner through all the grease fittings (3). At this point, everything moved freely and smoothly no play, no squeak. I replaced as many bushings I could still find, re-greased and now I have the most expensive spare upper arms on the planet!



20180506_164645.jpg
20180512_191122.jpg


My point is if you can get your hand on a OEM set and don't mind getting down and dirty, you can get yourself the $220.00 original Toyota upper arms.

[JDM VANMAN]

That’s amazing!! I’ll fly down to you with my parts and be your apprentice!!

JDM

[filterway]

My point is if you can get your hand on a OEM set and don't mind getting down and dirty, you can get yourself the $220.00 original Toyota upper arms.

Ok thanks for your comment. I will probably go with OEM if i can :-)

[Carbonized]

I know it' a bit far but maybe someone could pick for you https://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/...to-pick-appart