2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission more on Ball Joints

[LandShark]

I'm getting the parts and tools together to replace the passenger side ball joints on my 2500 4x4. I'm amazed at the difference in prices for the lower ball joint:



NAPA MRC104149 $34

NAPA NCP2601395 $64

The NAPA counter guy said the warranty was 1 year for either and didn't know who made them.



Rockauto:

Spicer Red Grade 5051181B $12. 86

Spicer Pro Grade 5051181 $45. 79

MOOG Problem Solver K8607T $47. 99

ACDELCO 45D2181 $58. 79



Rockauto says that the Red Grade is OEM quality and the Pro 'may' be better than OEM.



What would you choose???

 

[JFaughn]

Its tough to keep up , the manufactures keep buying & selling each other , changing manufactures to make more profit , so once you something you like , it changes .
And like any product there may be 2-3 manufactures , and 12 different boxes with different names on them .
I bought Moog at a local parts warehouse , they offered a lesser part , I bought the so called better ,
So no real answer for ya , I'm also looking to see what answers there may be .

 

[rotohead]

I've had great success using the link below for front end, suspension, etc parts. Good people to deal with. I don't nit pick on price if the parts quality is good and customer service is the same. Good luck

http://quad4x4.com/index.html

Chuck

 

[bmoeller]

NAPA and Carquest use sell Moog parts. At least here they do. Don't have invoice handy for mine. Just did the pass. side a couple of weeks ago. Torn boot on the upper one.

IIRC, Dana (OEM axle manufacturer) and Spicer are one and the same. Great products. Moog looks to make quality parts as well.

 

[Olmsted]

I just installed some moog greasable ball joints in my '95. I replaced them w/ only 170K miles on the old ones. Hoping the greasable ones last longer. It's all about keeping the boots intact.

 

[MZahn]

I didn't see any comments on 2 wd this time, although I have seen them in the past. Any issues with 2wd front parts wear ? My 2005 has 31k miles and need to get into the dealer for several other minor issues.



Thanks for your help.

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Whosoever will sell you MOOG ball joints, they shall be deemed most wise (sorry just watched a Monty Python flick) - seriously lifetime warranty, 150K and no problemas!

 

[BILLVO]

I just installed the new adjustable upper moogs in a buddies 03 today. 105 apiece at local parts jobber. His last set of oems replaced while still under warranty only lasted about 10k miles.

 

[BHanna]

quad 4x4 did me right too. When I called them with questions about changing ball joints, they were straight with me. They told me you might as well buy the OEM ball joints rather than more expensive ones because nothing else seems to last any longer. Changing mine was a weekend project. Not too hard but have a long breaker bar, a strong impact wrench, and some tall jackstands. These were the areas where I had problems anyway.



I have a 3rd gen so obviously, there could be some differences but I think the 2nd Gens use similar ball joints.

 

[dresslered]

I wouldn't consider anything other than the Moog components... regardless of price.

 

[LandShark]

I ended up buying the Spice Red Grade (OEM quality) from RockAuto.com. Had them in a week and installed them both last weekend.



Part Number Part Type Price EA Core EA Quantity Total

1995 DODGE RAM 2500 PICKUP 5. 9L 359cid L6 DIESEL MFI Turbo (C)

SPICER 5001048B Ball Joint $ 8. 63 $ 0. 00 1 $ 8. 63

SPICER 5051181B Ball Joint $ 12. 86 $ 0. 00 1 $ 12. 86

Discount $ -1. 07

Shipping $ 10. 78

Order Total $ 31. 20

 

[JacobsD]

I just put Moogs on my drivers side, the upper one was pretty well shot, while the lower was still decent (typical). Oh well while Im in there I might as well do both. I spent somthing like 100 bucks at the local parts store.



BTW- When did they move the ball joints from in the knuckle to in the axle tube? Mine are in the knuckle, and it was the first vacuum-axled Dodge I'd seen with them in the knuckle. Oh well, not complaining :-laf Their much easier to do with that knuckle in the vise than trying to get it done on the axle.



Definatly not a fan of the way the Dodge's hubs go on, with the four 12-point bolts in the back. It took me like 4 hours of air-hammering and using beating the puller to get that one side off.

 

[GOT-Torque]

I'm using MOOG's balljoints, I had to cut my stock balljoints off to get the knuckle off since my hubs would not seperate from the knuckle. Tried everything known to man to remove them. Now I just have to press them out in my 20 ton press somehow, otherwise I'll fire up the torch.