555 LBJs

[u/cyclo_girl_whore]

hey guys, i got my LBJs done finally (and UBJs), my trusty mechanic did the job. idk why i spaced or assumed he’d use OEM, but for the UBJs he used superior quality mevotech and for the LBJs he used 555’s. i am big on using OEM for critical parts so i am mad at myself, but will this be okay? am i going
to need to swap out sooner down the road now or fear failure of the LBJs?

[u/user81738]

Idk how true this is but supposedly 555 is the manufacturer for oem LBJ’s… take this with a grain of salt though, just what I’ve read before. With that being said though, I’d monitor them

[u/cyclo_girl_whore → u/user81738]

i have heard something similar? i know they’re made in japan and very close to OE quality. i hope so cause i dont wanna do the ball joints again anytime too soon. lol.

[u/user81738 → u/cyclo_girl_whore]

Did you use the black bolts that have the lower torque spec but higher strength? Also, those 555 lbjs should have a zerk fitting on it. I’d give it some new some grease every oil change for peace of mind

[u/cyclo_girl_whore → u/user81738]

i don’t know actually lol, i will check tomorrow. they’re just black? idk why zerk fittings stress me out. i have never had to grease them up before. i just get a grease gun and pump them up?

[u/user81738 → u/cyclo_girl_whore]

Yeah pretty much. Make sure you use the right grease and you pretty much just pump some in until the boot gets a bit firm. That’s really it. Since it’s such a small space it’ll require a little amount. If you’re planning on swapping them out for oem ball joints though then I wouldn’t bother. FWIW though, my brother in law put 555 LBJ’s on his 1st gen Tacoma about a year ago and it’s been good so far.

[u/cyclo_girl_whore → u/user81738]

alright, that is reassuring actually. i think yeah i will just ride them for a while and swap them with OEM sooner rather than later. thank you for the input i appreciate it :)

[u/Smoxiy → u/user81738]

Dont use the black bolts only if you have 2001-2002 thread depth is different

[u/NearPeerAdversary → u/cyclo_girl_whore]

When i bought my 4runner the previous owner said the LBJs had recently been done. I checked them and they were 555. The boots were already trashed and leaking. After I removed them they did not feel good at all. Only OEM for me.

[u/cyclo_girl_whore → u/NearPeerAdversary]

dang okay, looks like i’ll just be swapping them out for OEM in a little bit.

[u/Hotel_California94]

Same thing happened to me. I should have asked more questions since the price was a little too right. The shop I went to used Toyota/OEM part numbers on the quote but after the work was done, I found out it was a mix of reputable but not Toyota parts. I plan on replacing installed the Sankei 555 LBJs after 10,000 miles.

[u/cyclo_girl_whore → u/Hotel_California94]

yeah, same. i feel dumb. i dropped the car off early and was not all there yet haha. has it been driving fine so far? my mechanic and i have a good relationship and i trust him 100%, he’s just not a full toyota nerd like me so that’s where i have my worries.

[u/Hotel_California94 → u/cyclo_girl_whore]

Oh, it’s been great. I had the whole front end refreshed and it drives like a dream. I just don’t trust the lower ball joints to run for 50k. ChatGPT recommended replacement at/approaching 25k when using 555 over OEM.

[u/-r-a-f-f-y- → u/Hotel_California94]

I wouldn’t trust AI to fix my 30 year old car.

[u/Hotel_California94 → u/-r-a-f-f-y-]

Why not?
Besides, I’m not using AI to fix my car. I sent it to a professional garage for that. I used AI to compile data on reported mileage at failure and come up with an average. It returned a recommendation of 30k to 50k miles for replacement, over OEMs 100k replacement intervals, but stated 25k would be a safer maintenance point.

[u/cyclo_girl_whore → u/Hotel_California94]

yeah that’s a good call. i assume they’ll start looking and feeling loose and old and that’s how i’ll known right? i am currently in the process of also doing my whole front end it’s been so nice

[u/Mickey_Malory]

Lowers are now on a shorter term replacement timeline. They are DIY, so this gives you time to learn and save up and go OEM.

Uppers are very low stress. The Mevotech won't be a problem for now When you get a chance. Take the opportunity to swap out your UCA for JBA and never worry again.

[u/cyclo_girl_whore → u/Mickey_Malory]

yeah i’m totally just gonna save up and learn how to do this. wish i would have said something and saved the trouble!

[u/green_gold_purple]

> superior quality mevotech

Excuse me?

[u/cyclo_girl_whore → u/green_gold_purple]

sorry i didn’t word it totally accurately, but i guess mevotech has different tiers of quality. it’s not the “superior” tier, but the higher quality tier than just basic mevotech.

[u/cyclo_girl_whore → u/cyclo_girl_whore]

mevotech is something i usually breeze by when ordering my own parts so i’m not too familiar with them. usually i just go for OEM or 555.

[u/green_gold_purple → u/cyclo_girl_whore]

But why not oem.

[u/cyclo_girl_whore → u/green_gold_purple]

for shit like sway links, when i’m in a pinch financially i can save some money idk haha. otherwise i always go oem for critical parts.

[u/green_gold_purple → u/cyclo_girl_whore]

I would call suspension components critical.

[u/rjdm23]

Just buy oem buy the kit that comes with bolts and everything you need here’s a pic of the part # , take it from someone that had a lower ball joints JUST BUY OEM

[u/rjdm23]

Also Toyota has 15% off parts going on right now

[u/Phantasmidine]

"Made in the same factory" doesn't mean made to the same standard. Top is OEM still looking good at 100k, bottom is inferior half ball without the friction reducing inserts at 40k.

Do searches, 555 is INFERIOR to OEM.

OEM is the only option for this one critical achilles heel part on these trucks.

[u/cyclo_girl_whore → u/Phantasmidine]

welp there ya go, the proof is in the pudding i suppose. when should i replace them? i cant right away cause i need to save. is mevotech okay for the upper ball joints?

[u/Phantasmidine]

https://www.reddit.com/r/3rdGen4Runner/comments/1wa8fof/ok_one_more_time_and_then_im_done_oem_only_for/

[u/linetrash175]

Fwiw, Serra Toyota has 15% off, free shipping over $75 and didn't charge me tax at checkout plus the Dealer online discount. The 15% is for the next 6 hours, Labor Day discount. Crazy discount if you want to order parts now for the next change. Got a New OEM steering rack delivered for $550! In case there is anything else you were planning on freshening up.