Spread5150

So I’m at the point of redoing my ball joints. The ones in there now are pretty dated and not sure how old they are. I have a bone stock 94 4x4.
I was looking at the Moog upper/lower and center links.

I figure this this is a good time to do the bushings since the ones in there now look pretty crappy. I like the looks of the energy Suspension master bushing set.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...hing+kit,16059



My question is with the control arms/idler arms and pitman arms... are these items to be replaced ? Do they just typically get new bushings or is swapping them part of redoing the steering ? Is this energy bushing kit handling that ?

Thanks

Andy A

For ball joints spend the extra dollars and get Toyota ones.
Idler arm and Pitman arm, I like the Proforged pieces.
Tie rods, Toyota again.
Control arm bushings, Toyota or Poly, be warned polys can squeek.

Spread5150

What about the control arms ? Do they get replaced or is it part of doing the bushings ?

I don’t believe there to be an issue with the idler arms or pitman arms is this a “replace the bushing on them Maintance thing or a replace the whole thing”. I don’t want to buy this master bushing kit if I only need two or three things out of it and the rest is being changed when I replace the rest but I am not sure.

I’m not oppose to Toyota ball joints. I may go that route. The moogs were a good price and appear to be of good construction while being grease-able .

ev13wt

I don't even have to look to know your idler arm is done.
Have someone sit in the truck and press the brakes hard, then steer left and right a half turn of the wheel. You look under the front of the truck at things that should not move but do. (Like the idler arm going up and down)
I also bought 5 after market idler arms until I had one that fit and didn't break again after 10000 miles. It's the Napa Gold one (Altrum?). Here, oem is also under spec - but Toyota sells a (plastic) bushing kit so you can rebuild it.

Moog used to be "ok", but they are crap now. You will replace again in 4 to 10 months latest. I tried most brands. OEM is actually where it is at.

Spread5150

Starting looking for the ball joints/ tie rods and pitman and idler.

Rockauto has a bunch if beck and arney parts a lot of people I know say will likely show up as the factory parts.

Has as anyone ordered from the recently and got this.

arlindsay1992

iTrader: (8)

Don't buy Moog suspension parts for these trucks. All are JUNK.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8ZVahKc06o

I've bought Beck Arnley tie rods for a 1988 Pickup within the last year from Rock Auto. They are 555 brand. These are made in Japan and pretty good quality, but they are not OEM.

I've bought 555 lower ball joints, they appear to be a good option. I've never bought 555 upper ball joints.

I'll still recommend OEM if you can spend a few extra bucks. They really are the best option and hardly cost any more than the other choices.

No lower ball joint will last if you install ball joint spacers.

Spread5150

Thanks for the reply. I am looking for quality. So I guess I’ll hit up the dealer and get what counts. I suppose this is a good time to do the upper and lower control arm bushings. I watched that video and I’m glad I did.

arlindsay1992

iTrader: (8)

I'd recommend buying OEM parts from an online dealership like ToyotaPartsDeal.com or whichever is cheaper when you Google "OEM Toyota Parts Online." Check with your dealer to be sure, but I'm guessing the parts are cheaper online. I'll usually only go to the dealership for small stuff when I don't feel like paying $10 for shipping on a single $5 part.