Ball-Joint Decisions: $33.98, $60.45 or $82.98?

[BobBarry]

My wife dropped me off at work yesterday, and as she drove off I noticed the right-front wheel of our GW wobble a bit as she turned in the lot. I jacked up the front-end when I got home, and found that the passenger-side wheel had some play and could be wiggled top-to-bottom (not side-to-side, and the other wheel is nice and solid). So it looks like I'll get to do some Saturday-morning ball-joint replacement.

In checking prices, I found a couple variations on the ball-joint theme: regular duty parts and some heavy-duty units, with a corresponding price-difference. Here are the options I've come across, and I'd like input from anybody who has had first-hand experience with these parts:

AutoZone: Regular-duty McQuay-Norris parts
upper- FA659G $18.99
lower- FA660G $14.99
Total- $33.98

Action Auto Parts (local place): Moog "enhanced-design" parts
upper- K8194T $31.01
lower- K8195T $29.44
Total- $60.45

Advance Auto/Parts America: TRW HD low-friction w/integral seal
upper- 10252HD $34.99
lower- 01253HD $47.99
Total- $82.98

I've used parts from all manufacturers before; the question concerns the value of the parts I'll be getting. I imagine that the Moog and TRW parts are the "sealed-for-life" design, which is fine for our GW as it's a 99% on-road truck. I'm inclined to go for the Moog parts, as I can get them in a flash from the local store and they're much cheaper than the TRW parts, but still better than the low-line parts (there is a cheaper Moog line as well).

Any thoughts/experience/opinions/insights?

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Bob Barry<UL TYPE=SQUARE>* '78 Cherokee 4-door
* '88 Grand Wagoneer[/list]http://studentweb.providence.edu/~rbarry/wheels/

[wagdriver]

All 3 of these are supposed to be quality manufacturers. My advise would be as always to try go with "Made in the USA". These are all supposed to be US companies, and these conglomerates buy product world wide, making it more and more difficult to get parts made here. You will just have to look at the boxes and see where they are made. http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/smile.gif BTW Dr. Bob when did you do the tech page thing? I had never seen it until just recently. It is a very valuable resource Thank You for assembling it for us! http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/wink.gif

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wagdriver
88 Grand Wagoneer
135k and still going
K&N everything else stock
95 Dodge Ram 2500 360 stone stock

[This message has been edited by wagdriver (edited May 25, 2001).]

[243]

I've had good luck with Moog and TRW, given the choice, I would take the bottom of the line if it was the only one with grease zerts.

In order of preference: Moog, TRW, all the rest.



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243

Ol'e Blue
79 Wagoneer 401/T400/QT

http://www.0hassleisp.com/dwilk/79sig2.jpg

Red 75 Wagoneer (project)
Mean Green 76 Wagoneer (parts car)
99 Dodge Ram TD

cummins_isb@hotmail.com

[BobBarry]

Well, I went and bought the Moogs from Action, but rented the press from AutoZone (Action wanted $20 for the rental, while AutoZone was free), so tomorrow morning I'll swap those ball-joints.

I redid the whole front last fall: brakes, bearings and axle u-joints, and was liberal with the anti-sieze, so there should be no hangups getting that side apart and back together in record time.

BTW, these Moog units do utilize a zerks fitting, upper and lower, so they're not the sealed pieces. Oh-well, I'll see how long they last compared to the other side, which are sealed uppers and zerk'd lowers.

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Bob Barry<UL TYPE=SQUARE>* '78 Cherokee 4-door
* '88 Grand Wagoneer[/list]http://studentweb.providence.edu/~rbarry/wheels/

[Ralph]

I just bought both sides, upper and lower, from Krage at www.jeepdoc.com (http://www.jeepdoc.com) at $26.50 per set. Shipping was $6.50 for a total of $59.50. As soon as I get off this computer, I'm going to take on the tasks of replacing all the tie rods, ball joints, and the driver side spindle bearing.

I'll check in from time to time to see your progress, Bob, and keep you up to speed with mine as well.

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J ust
E mpty
E very
P ocket

[BobBarry]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ralph:
I just bought both sides, upper and lower, from Krage at www.jeepdoc.com (http://www.jeepdoc.com) at $26.50 per set. Shipping was $6.50 for a total of $59.50. As soon as I get off this computer, I'm going to take on the tasks of replacing all the tie rods, ball joints, and the driver side spindle bearing.

I'll check in from time to time to see your progress, Bob, and keep you up to speed with mine as well.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, did mine this morning; no real snags. Seems the old "lubed for life" unit ran out of lube, leading to its demise. Turned out that only the bottom joint was bad, so I left the top alone. $30, and the front is as good as new. Now I just need to find the time (and the nerve) to do the PS box and pump (leaking like a geyser!).

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Bob Barry<UL TYPE=SQUARE>* '78 Cherokee 4-door
* '88 Grand Wagoneer[/list]http://studentweb.providence.edu/~rbarry/wheels/

[243]

I stand by my comments about "lubed for life"

To be honest (cynical cuss that I am), I think the parts manufacturers that make lubed for life joints do it for two reasons: cheaper to manufacture and shorter lifespan. They save money when they make them and make more money when they fail early and we have to buy another.

I also despise companies who source these parts on new vehicles like Daimler Chrysler. They put trackbars on 3/4 and 1 ton 4x4's that have a steel ball with a plastic socket on one end. The other end is similar to a spring eye bushing. These parts are failing with as little as 20K miles and light offroading.



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243

Ol'e Blue
79 Wagoneer 401/T400/QT

http://www.0hassleisp.com/dwilk/79sig2.jpg

Red 75 Wagoneer (project)
Mean Green 76 Wagoneer (parts car)
99 Dodge Ram TD

cummins_isb@hotmail.com