Got an inspection done on my 4Runner (to see what maintenance needs to be done) and my lower ball joints are completely worn out after 289k miles. There's play of about 5mm! What I didn't get is that the upper ball joints had no play and don't seem to be worn out at all... is this normal? When replacing the lowers, do I need to remove the upper, or SHOULD the upper ones be replaced as well?

Also, I went to look up the parts on Rockauto.com, and there's many manufacturers and prices... ranging from...

AUTOSPECIALTY / KELSEY-HAYES $8.41 each
RAYBESTOS $17.36
MEVOTECH $19.76
KLARIUS/QUINTON HAZELL $20.99
ACDELCO $22.79
BECK/ARNLEY $24.79
MOOG $42.79
RAYBESTOS PROFESSIONAL $52.79

Is it basically you get what you pay for?? Has anyone used (can recommend) any of these manufacturers? Thanks!

 

Yes, you get what you pay for and the originals lasted 289k so why not:

$51.08+shipping for genuine Toyota:
http://www.toyotapartseast.com/Page_...2361,2372,2422

or $49.48+shipping which is likely $10 for two of them.
http://www.1sttoyotaparts.com/catalogs.html
JOINT ASSY LWR BALL [Part# 4333039295]
Toyota Price:$68.58 List Price:$68.58 Your Price:$49.48

 

i agree, oem. moogs are good quality as well. im not recomending to replace or not to replace the uppers thats up to you.i believe if its not broke dont fix it. check them out closly and go from there. dont forget to install the zerks, and make sure you can get a grease gun on them after you put it all together. i had to get 90 degree zerks for mine.

 

About the zerk... I would have to buy the zerks and get a shop to drill into a new ball joint to install them right? IF yes, isn't that going to ruin the ball joint, because whatever your drilling (all the little shavings that are coming off to create the hole) will end up inside the ball joint??

 

most bj come tapped for zerks , a few cheapies dont. check em be for you buy em. yes they can be drilled with out getting the shavings into them but id just get ones that are done. grease em and keep em greased every time you change your oil or get into alot of water and they will last a long time. on the top bj check them carefully for wear its a little harder to check due to the top control arm is the one that is loaded by the torsion rod and caries the wieght. if theyre in good shape there isnt any need to replace them,but thats your decision.alot of people just feel better replacing top and bottoms at the same time.and theres nothing wrong with that practice. i do mine as needed. they are not hard to do one of the better set ups ive seen. another reason to love toyotas!

 

The Toyota balljoints that rworegon recommended above, and which I recently purchased from toyotapartseast.com, come with the grease port already in place, but with a 10mm headed bolt in place to hold in new grease/keep the dust out. You would have to purchase some METRIC zerks, sold at most auto parts stores, to grease them at a later date. I can't speak for the other brands as to being greasable.

 

by the way, i usually buy the cheapest bj the parts store has . probaly not the smartest thing to do but i abuse my rig fairly hard and it gets a weekly check up and repairs as needed. it is not my daily driver but is kept safe and road worthy at all times . i also carry spare parts in the truck for items that can get broken. like tie rod sleeves,bj,ifs axles,etc.

 

still recomending oem toyota joints,or moog. not recomending the cheapest.you get what you pay for and if you just want to replace them and not worry for a long long time buy good ones with grease zerks or at least provisions for adding grease zerks. didnt want any one to misunderstand.