Suspension Parts Preference

[garylmoore]

I am starting to hear a pop in the front end and it appears I am going to be doing some front end work. Any preference in brand of Tie Rod Ends and Ball Joints around here? Please tell me about your experiences.

 

[bcbender]

haven't had any problems with MOOG. and used TIMKEN for the unit bearings.. ROCK AUTO usually has the best prices.. My friend bought the "rebuildable" ball joints and is not too happy with them, I only did one set in 100k miles so seems good enough for my usage.

 

[The patriot]

Did my front end @ 140 something thousand miles, and I really didn't need to being I added grease fittings when it was new.
I don't remember the brand I used for balljoints, but I think I should have gone with the stock units being they lasted THAT long with my mod.
jm.02

 

[EDankievitch]

I’m trying a set of EMF ball joints in my 2013 so far very pleased. Have over 35 k miles on them now and they feel better with trip. I’ve had really bad luck with Moog parts of late. The Moog track bar failed in less than one year. Now I’m running a syenergy track bar. My 13 is the last of the 5 link front ends. The 3 link system seems to hold up better.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Be sure to get the US Made line.

 

[garylmoore]

I had to do the Timkens last year due to the ABS Grid wearing off the bearing. At least I do not have to deal with that.

 

[garylmoore]

Did my front end @ 140 something thousand miles, and I really didn't need to being I added grease fittings when it was new.
I don't remember the brand I used for balljoints, but I think I should have gone with the stock units being they lasted THAT long with my mod.
jm.02

That is a great idea..

I'm retired now, but worked for Chrysler in the 90's. We had a machine which had a plastic track moving small pallets holding ball joints thru various stations to be built. People assembled the ball joint parts, one of which had a grease zirc in the cap. The top was induction heated then spun with a die to crimp it. The next station filled it with grease. At the next station a small cylinder shot out and broke the grease zirc clean off. This was the lube for life ball joint after all We constantly replaced the track on that machine because it was always running on top of broken grease zircs. True Story.

 

[Terry]

When I was doing this for a living I had very good success with the NAPA premium line of ball joints and tie rods. But you have to ask for the premium line as they also had a standard line to compete on price with others.

 

[Cummins12V98]

When I was doing this for a living I had very good success with the NAPA premium line of ball joints and tie rods. But you have to ask for the premium line as they also had a standard line to compete on price with others.

Better look closely these days as it's not always easy to find quality US Made parts from NAPA.

 

[bcbender]

as it's not always easy to find quality US Made parts from NAPA.

Or anywhere for that matter....

 

[JMcCoy]

Synergy everything is awesome! I've had good luck with US Spicer and Moog. I haven't purchased u-joints in over 12 years, so a lot may have changed.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Recently bought Spicer front U joints for my 01 Sport.

 

[garylmoore]

I went to Napa and asked about the Premium Line of suspension products and the guy said he couldn't guarantee I would get American Made parts. He had Chinese, Taiwanese and American made Premium ball joints on the shelf, none of which fit my truck. They do all contain grease zircs though.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I went to Napa and asked about the Premium Line of suspension products and the guy said he couldn't guarantee I would get American Made parts. He had Chinese, Taiwanese and American made Premium ball joints on the shelf, none of which fit my truck. They do all contain grease zircs though.

Call Summit Racing

 

[garylmoore]

Call Summit Racing

Thank you,, I will

 

[garylmoore]

Call Summit Racing

All they had was Moog.

 

[garylmoore]

Is there any way to tell if a truck is going to need oversized ball joints before the suspension is disassembled? (I sincerely doubt it)...

I am going to have to have the ball joints done at a local garage, I have the tools but my garage is full.

I would like to spend money on a rebuildable ball joint, EMF sounds good from what I have read, but if I cannot buy them and get them to the shop within a couple of days, I think my truck guy will not be pleased

I have seen three suppliers of EMF, two were out of the standard ball joint, with only the oversized in stock. The set of four was about $569.

 

[Cummins12V98]

All they had was Moog.

Moog can be US Made if it's their premium line.

 

[garylmoore]

There was a time when I heard a lot of good things about Moog products, now a days.. not so much.

 

[BigPapa]

Moog Ball Joints are great on a RWD or most gassers, but they've been proven undependable in the Dodge 4x4 applications.