Ball joint preferences

[wrcsixeight]

I was convinced Moog was the best choice, but after reading 20 pages of Google hits on the subject it seems quality as of late is questionable.

Spicer sold their chassis parts to affinia group and Macquay norris extreme/ raybestos prefessional, and Napa gold are all the same as spicer was, in theory.

OPinions and experiences wanted.

Thanks

These will be going into my 89 b250 that sees duty in Baja and has regularly makes it into areas where 2 wheel drive vehicles are rare to see, meaning momentum and suspension abuse.

 

[dsw4x4]

Couple thoughts on the subject,
As a kid I always bought what I could afford (the cheapest) this usually meant autozone lifetime guaranteed stuff. Yes the stuff may have worn a little faster however I have never had a major part failure on the trail form an AutoZone part. And I have had some major failures on the trail such as ripping the ball joint out of the knuckle (knuckle failure) to leave my rig looking like a back to the future time machine with the wheels tucked up underneath the rig rim side down. Or breaking of a 9 inch housing every way imaginable from tearing off the axle flange to snapping the actual housing in half where the factory welds it together or shooting the pinion out of the front of the axle. (Did that with many different axles). So if you do not mind changing out worn parts on a somewhat regular basis a lifetime cheaper part may be the way to go. On the other hand I like moog and spicer stuff and have really good luck with both, wear seems to last a little longer than the az lifer parts. But they usually do not have much of a warranty! Whatever you buy make sure it is grease able if not it will not last under abuse especially if you’re in a wet climate or like to get into water crossings or mud. In the end if it is a high wear item or may leave you stranded carry a spare stay up on your maintaince and most parts should last.
Good luck
Derek

 

[wrcsixeight]

Thanks for replying, I was starting to think no one had any opinions on this matter.

Ultimately I am looking for something I wont have to worry about again for many many years, and although I am poor, the front suspension is basically the last major thing that is left be rebuilt on my Van, and I am willing to pay more for quality.

20 google pages of Moog vs Spicer hits have left me with the impression that Spicer wears longer, but I've been corresponding with someone who claims a large percentage of even the quality Moog and Affinia Subsidiarity parts are coming in with torn dust covers, missing grease zerk fittings, or unthreaded zerk. Some of the Diesel Dodge 4x4 forums revile MOOG though that might be a design flaw with a particular ball joint for that truck..

And a Lot of forums are saying XRF Bj's, Although made in Taiwan, are a really nice design, and very nicely built.

I have found one place that sells them, though they say they will sell direct over the phone.

Anyway here is their web page to navigate around:
http://www.xrfchassis.com/difference-better.htm

Here's a spot that sells them online. They are about the same as Moog or Spicer.
http://www.thetireclub.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=1989-DODGE-Van--B--50--3/4--Ton-V8--318ci--5.--l--F/i--Vin--Y&yearid=1989%40%401989&makeid=23%40%40DODGE%40%40&modelid=4988%40%40VAN+B250+3/4+TON&engineid=5914%40%40V8-318ci+5.2L+F/I+Vin+Y%40%405914&catid=9@@Steering/Suspension&subcatid=139@@Ball+Joints+and+Control+Arms&mode=PA

The pictures and part numbers are Macquay norris extreme.

Anyhow keep the opinions thoughts and experiences coming.

I'm gonna make a run around town today and have the AP stores parade their selection so I can have a look see..

EDIT: None of the part stores had any MOOG in stock, but the only items I held in my hands today that impressed me was the Napa Ball joint and tie rod end. Some of the grease boots were very thin and an extremely poor fit. The Duralast probably looked better than anything cheap from Kragen, pep boys, but the Napa parts were obviously what I would buy, even at twice the price.

But I'm ordering the XRF BJ's and TRE's from the tire club tomorrow, and will report back.

 

[wrcsixeight]

TRE Comparison

Since XRF said they hoped to have the right hand threaded TRE's in stock in "a month or 2", I told the Tireclub to mail the Mcquay Norris TRE's instead. They were the same price.

They are not the MN Global which are the Chinese equivalent, Nor the MN extreme(Napa gold), but the Mid grade, made in USA part.

They arrived today, and I got to inspect them closely.

This is the polished stud on the XRF TRE.

The Mcquay Norris part is not made the same way. It appears to have a stud within a ball, within the Housing. It takes about 50% more effort to move the stud by hand than the XRF, and when it does move it feels a little crusty. The XRF is buttery smooth in comparison. The MN ball seems a little bigger in the housing than the XRF, but XRF claims almost twice the pull out strength of the competition.

The threads on the MN part are not very smooth, with a couple visible dings. The castle nut cannot be threaded to full depth by hand. The XRF part came with a netting over the threads to protect them.

Here are some comparison photos XRF on the left.

Now I have all the parts, and the time to work on it, and am waiting on the damn BJ socket to arrive. Effing Autozone.

The TireClub did not give me the sticker to mail back the incorrect k7205t ball joints that were sent in the k7025t boxes. They fit 1994 to 1996 Dodge 2500 or 3500 Pick ups. I'm wondering if I get to keep them.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

I've had great luck with MOOG parts.

When it comes to ball joints, I don't want to have to replace them every year or two.

Last 'cheap' BJ I ran in my CJ, lasted 6 months. To make it worse, the portion that presses into the knuckle, was out of spec. When I went to replace it with a MOOG, the MOOG BJ 'fell' into the knuckle.:snorkel: I thought it was a bad MOOG BJ, but then I tried 4 other brands, and another MOOG, same thing. What should have been a press in fit, was sloppy.

I ended up replacing the knuckle.

With Mopar, the OEM parts are pretty good also, and usually reasonably priced.

HB