2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission EBAY--- ball joint kit? anygood?

[RDuncan]

I guess I gotta replace the ball joints on my 96 2wd again. I used Moog last time --lasted about 5 years- 35k,(no heavy use) just wondering if anyone has used any of those kits they sell on ebay. I mean its tempting because you get ball joints, pitman arm, tie rod ends for around 150 bucks. -- Just wondering I know its alot of work if they are junk but if they'll last 5 years whats the diff. ? thanks for checkin' in RD

 

[The patriot]

I'd be a bit skeptical on the quality of something that was that cheap.

I'm on my original front end (except steering box and track bar).
My truck is also a 4x4 which shouldbe harder on them. It weighs just under 10K full of fuel.

Do the replacements come with grease fittings? How often do you grease them? I grease my truck every oil change. I added fittings to the factory front end. Best $2. 00 I ever spent.

Edit: I have around 125K miles on mostly ROUGH NJ roads.

 

[mwilson]

I guess I gotta replace the ball joints on my 96 2wd again. I used Moog last time --lasted about 5 years- 35k,(no heavy use) just wondering if anyone has used any of those kits they sell on ebay. I mean its tempting because you get ball joints, pitman arm, tie rod ends for around 150 bucks. -- Just wondering I know its alot of work if they are junk but if they'll last 5 years whats the diff. ? thanks for checkin' in RD

I will tell you the same thing that I tell my customers when they wave the cheap Chinese pricing around...



Who are you going to call when that Chinese junk made by Wang Hung Low Heavy Industries fails and you hit a busload of kids????

Good luck trying to find 'em because you won't...



Moog, Carli, etc. are in the phone book, on the web, etc. and very easy to contact.

Also proven that they stand behind the products they manufacture, not hiding behind several fake company names.



I know what I want steering my 8,000 lb truck.



The choice is yours.



Mike.

 

[The patriot]

I will tell you the same thing that I tell my customers when they wave the cheap Chinese pricing around...



Who are you going to call when that Chinese junk made by Wang Hung Low Heavy Industries fails and you hit a busload of kids????

Good luck trying to find 'em because you won't...



Moog, Carli, etc. are in the phone book, on the web, etc. and very easy to contact.

Also proven that they stand behind the products they manufacture, not hiding behind several fake company names.



I know what I want steering my 8,000 lb truck.



The choice is yours.



Mike.

I wouldnt even consider a chinese part.

Buying a factory part and seeing india or pakistan marked on it would be bad enough. China? No way!

JM. 02

 

[khalsey]

I added grease zerks to the ball joints on my truck when it was new and grease at every oil change also. Every thing holding up good so far. The front brake pads are still good also but I did install Bilstein shocks a few years ago.

 

[The patriot]

I added grease zerks to the ball joints on my truck when it was new and grease at every oil change also. Every thing holding up good so far. The front brake pads are still good also but I did install Bilstein shocks a few years ago.

Good for you!

Nothing ever wore out from too much grease! :-laf

I gotta admit, getting the zerk in the upper bj was a biotch, but worth it.

You got to have one of those 90 degree adapters to do mine, and have the universals in the front end lined up "just so" to get to them, but other than that all is good.

 

[HHhuntitall]

I used a needle zerk on my grease gun to get under/through the rubber cover, and the ball joints are finally showing some wear on my old '96 2x4, which I sold to a friend last year, at around 280k. They won't last much longer, but sure worked well for us so far.....



As for the Ebay kit, I don't think that's the best route to go..... JMO

 

[RDuncan]

thanks for the replies

Thanks for all the input --much appreciated!!