2nd Gen Tacoma front end maintenance question

[tx_shooter]

Looks like I need to replace the wearable items on the front end of my '06 Tacoma PreRunner. I have seen where people swear by using only OEM instead of any other aftermarket brand. So my question is such; is there a real difference in quality for a daily driver between OEM and Moog or AC Delco?

Trying to make an educated decision here.

 

[tex]

I have UCA with good ball joints if you want them.

 

[tx_shooter]

Probably in better shape than my ball joints with 250k miles on them. They were mostly highway miles so that makes it okay, right?

 

[tex]

Probably in better shape than my ball joints with 250k miles on them. They were mostly highway miles so that makes it okay, right?

If you are doing the work just change the UCA with ball joints.

 

[tx_shooter]

If you are doing the work just change the UCA with ball joints.

I will make sure to order the UCA bolts before hand so we do not have to call every Toyota dealership in DFW to find parts.

Still leaves the question about using non-OEM parts for the tie rod ends and such.

 

[Taco Loco]

Looks like I need to replace the wearable items on the front end of my '06 Tacoma PreRunner. I have seen where people swear by using only OEM instead of any other aftermarket brand. So my question is such; is there a real difference in quality for a daily driver between OEM and Moog or AC Delco?

Trying to make an educated decision here.

I will be replacing both tie rods in the morning, the moog is a bit bigger/thicker and has zerks, going to wake up early and knock it out so I can possible get an alignment as well if the loco shops are available.

 

[tx_shooter]

Bigger and thicker sounds like a good thing. Grease zerks tend to be an improvement as well.

 

[Taco Loco]

Bigger and thicker sounds like a good thing. Grease zerks tend to be an improvement as well.

That's what she said

 

[Taco Loco]

Hell its nice out this evening, rained earlier I might start this evening

 

[taco4x4rar]

Moog quality has gone down hill recently, I'd shop raybestos or OEM now. That said the only thing I'd shell out OEM money for is a replacement steering rack or ps pump.

 

[Taco Loco]

Moog quality has gone down hill recently, I'd shop raybestos or OEM now. That said the only thing I'd shell out OEM money for is a replacement steering rack or ps pump.

Ok they must have redesigned thier boots...
Don't get moog see the boot below, too big and wears out prematurely...
IMO if the boot was better designed it would be fine, the casting appears to be better than oem

OEM in center
Moog top and bottom

 

[Taco Loco]

My 2 beer project tonight just turned into a keg, one new installed and putting one old OEM one back on, more parts to order and beer to follow up in fixing my truck.

 

[Taco Loco]

ULTRA-POWER ES80895

Fits Front Outer; 4WD; Base Model; X-Runner
Or Front Outer; 2WD; Pre Runner; X-Runner

 

[Taco Loco]

Rock auto

RockAuto Mobile Catalog
poc didn't save link

Probably gonna order three of them acdelcos

 

[tx_shooter]

Thanks for the heads up; that is exactly what I am looking for.

 

[Oswego]

Moog tie rods suck. I put them on a few years ago the the zerks are impossible to thread in. Can't run a tap into it either. Took me longer to screw the zerks in then actually replace them. I haven't had any boot issues, but trucks only got 15k on it since. I never trust any brands grease so I flushed the stock crap out and put in my own before installation.

Long story short - if you got a 1/4 million miles out of OEM - stick with it.

I got less than 30k on mine so I wanted to "upgrade". Not so sure I actually did.

 

[tx_shooter]

Yeah; that is also a very valid point. The cost-to-mileage factor is very real with these parts.

 

[Taco Loco]

 

[Silverback]

Moog quality has gone down hill recently, I'd shop raybestos or OEM now. That said the only thing I'd shell out OEM money for is a replacement steering rack or ps pump.

This.. last Moog's I bought (lower ball joints) had the grease zerk holes but they were not threaded. So impossible to get the zerk into it. I rigged up a small tap to thread them (standard tap was too deep) and it sorta worked. But stay away from them.

 

[Silverback]

Moog tie rods suck. I put them on a few years ago the the zerks are impossible to thread in. Can't run a tap into it either. Took me longer to screw the zerks in then actually replace them. I haven't had any boot issues, but trucks only got 15k on it since. I never trust any brands grease so I flushed the stock crap out and put in my own before installation.

Long story short - if you got a 1/4 million miles out of OEM - stick with it.

I got less than 30k on mine so I wanted to "upgrade". Not so sure I actually did.

Ok.. not just the lower ball joints its anything they have that it threaded. Apparently the guy who threads shit took some time off.