thunder1763

Just replaced Lower ball joints on my 02 Taco and had it aligned - Now I notice the steering seems to be acting differently than it did before, wheel not returning to center very well (caster?)as well as some other issues. I noticed when I compared new (Moog) vs. old (Factory) that the positionong of the joint vs the location of the bolt pattern seemed to be different, but only slightly. Could this cause problems with front end geometry (SAE/Caster?), or, maybe just a botched alignment?

MODERATOR:
I am not sure if I should have put this on the newbie forum as a question rather than here as a thread? -Your popup helped me do it!!!
(you may apply the appropriate beasting via email or PM, if you wish...)

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Since Moog parts are made in China for the most Quality is hit or miss

Could be the problem or else your alignment was done by the clueless just because one has a alignment rack means they know how to use it

End of the day Tech said close enough Miller time !!

I know I use Nothing but Toyota Suspension and steering parts as long as they make them

thunder1763

Actually, Moog stuff is made all over the world. The new owner (Federal Mogul) is trying to up the quality as well as make it more consistant. The ball joints I bought were made in Japan (at least that's what the box said) so I don't anticipate a quality problem (IE Joint failing bofore it's time). The main concern I have is if the slight difference in feature placement (mounting hole position vs. ball location) would affect the SAI enough that an alignment might not be able to correct it enough. As far as the alignment goes, I checked the before and after specs and the whole right side is out of spec by a significant amount, so that might be why the wheel is not returning to center as it should. So apparently the "ASE Certified Master Technician" decided that half an alignment was good enough.

Pipsisiwah

Given the choice of buying two new Genuine Toyota lower ball joints or receiving two new Moog lower ball joints for free and including installation, I would buy the Toyota parts and install them myself. IMHO, Moog parts aren't worth a ˟˟˟˟.

RAD4Runner

Second and third that^^^
Given the known lower ball-joint failures on your generation (unless suspension had been re-designed), It is risky going with non-EOM lwer ball-joints, even if they were made in heaven. Maybe OK to use non-OEM UPPER ball-joints because it does not carry much of the vehicle weight.
Try Toyota parts deal and compare its OEM prices with non-OEM.

RustBucket

iTrader: (1)

OEM or bust. Literally.

thunder1763

Unfortunately for me, I think I might have screwed up...(what I get for not researching!)
Saw all those lovely pictures on the "ball joint failed" thread, and had to change my underwear! Needless to say, if I had known about the crappy design of the lowers on this gen Tacoma (et al?) I wouldn't have bought the truck. OEM's are ordered and on the way!

RAD4Runner

Don't feel bad. Many people do not know about this. Toyota did a lousy job warning people about it. I have been telling my friends who own this gen about it. I hope this forum helps inform other owners before they have a catastrophic failure that could kill, severely injure and/or damage other parts of the vehicle.