Mevotech® MS40553 - Supreme™ Front Non-Adjustable Lower Ball Joint

this feels like a solid replacement part, but the base is biger than the factory 2001 tacoma 4x4 ball joint. As a result, finidng the correct cup to install is dificult.

Hard to review the item itself without a longer time frame but it appears to be a direct replacement and as robust as the old one. Once installed the joint worked as expected and seemed to keep the proper alignment. BUT. This lower ball joint fits either side but must be oriented properly for that side. Alignment will NOT be correct if the ball joint leans the wrong way. There should be markings to help determine orientation but I could not find any. There are no warnings or instructions included. Please read a few related articles online until you understand this if you don't already know. Some of the articles are inaccurate. You will probably know pretty quick after installation if you get it backwards. Once I had a plan installation was as expected and all parts were included.

Only lasted 30,000 miles (normal city and highway driving; no off-road driving) before both lower ball joints had excessive play and needed to be replaced. At least the boots stayed in tact.

Worked great.

The original ball joint rotted out after 34 years, If I greased it, It probably would have lasted. Hope this one does a little better,, I'll wait and see,, If I can get 68 years out of this truck I would be satisfied. Thanks to Mevotech I might !! This LOWER BALL JOINT is really nice.

Excellent fit and finish has everything you need.

I don't think I can say enough about these ball joints. Their everything Mevotech advertises and more. I have had them on my vehicle for 2 weeks now and it's 3 July 2019, no issues, no squeaking, and the handling has gotten much tighter through the turning radios. The response has increased significantly as well. You will need specialized equipment to loosen the original parts, or just a very big hammer to bang them out of the joint. But the best way to remove the OE parts is with a tuning fork, jack for leverage and a hammer to tap on the knuckle to break the park free. Now this is for the non-professional, so professional please don't blow me up, we don't have the $300.00 dollar press tools that you guys use. But I found with the leverage from the jack, the tuning fork, and the hammer the OE part will break free in 10 minutes or less. As for the part itself, can't be more happy, any future vehicles I buy I will be putting these on them. I only give this a 4 star for ease of install because you have to get specialized equipment and it takes a little time and patience to allow the part to break free. Other than that once the OE part has broken free from the knuckle, it's a 5 minute swap and the castle nut and cotter pin make the whole thing that much easier to secure and know you put it on right. You guys are great, just keep supplying the sight with good products and an easy place to find what car enthusiasts need.

Easy to install.

The lower ball did fit into the knuckle. It has a 90 degree grease gasket fitting that's a little tight to get on the back of the lower ball inside the knuckle tolerance. But it did work and install. It solved the problem with my passengers side lower ball joint. Time will tell how long it lasts.

I would not recommend these! I've used Mevotech for other products in the past and can't say I've had issues, but both of these ball joints gave me issues. One side never would seat properly and was always 'clunking' as I'd drive, corner, hit bumps etc. At first I thought it was just the one, but when I went under to replace it, I saw that both sides had completely ripped boots (street driving the whole time). Not my first time switching out ball joints either and never had problems in the past. Decided to just pay a bit more for some Subaru ones and they slid in like a glove, seated perfectly, and the car finally rides in silence again.