Lower ball joint, pick a brand

[M104]

My car didn't pass the "contrôle technique", don't know how it's called in other countries, MOT in the US? Educate me. Only issue is both lower ball joints are worn out thanks to potholes that could swallow cars. Is there a consensus on which brand to pick? My choices are Moog, Febi Bilstein, Delphi, TRW, Mapco, Quinton Hazell and few others less known brands. I'm tempted to buy the Moogs, 18 bucks each. Or should i just go to the dealer? I bought a lot of parts on the internet lately and they all work as intended but are not up to par on some aspects. I bought a Delphi fuel pump made in china which is noisy as hell compared to the original Pierburg and Bosch pads and discs and ended up with a brake system that squeals like a pig.

 

[Krieg]

OEM!

 

[Jetronic]

TRW out of those, but who makes them for mercedes?

Not happy with Moog parts, but that might be because I run an italian car that uses TRW mechanicals for decades now. Forged OEM is replaced by bulkier cast MOOG etc...

 

[drtyler]

My car didn't pass the "contrôle technique", don't know how it's called in other countries, MOT in the US? Educate me. Only issue is both lower ball joints are worn out thanks to potholes that could swallow cars. Is there a consensus on which brand to pick? My choices are Moog, Febi Bilstein, Delphi, TRW, Mapco, Quinton Hazell and few others less known brands. I'm tempted to buy the Moogs, 18 bucks each. Or should i just go to the dealer? I bought a lot of parts on the internet lately and they all work as intended but are not up to par on some aspects. I bought a Delphi fuel pump made in china which is noisy as hell compared to the original Pierburg and Bosch pads and discs end ended up with a brake system that squeals like a pig.

Lemforder should be available. If not, then go with TRW or OE.

TRW chassis parts are part of Lemforder/ZF/Sachs now.

 

[The Critic]

Dealer.

 

[M104]

Thanks guys, i'll go to the dealer unless there's a less expensive part that is as good.

Lemforder should be available. If not, then go with TRW or OE.

TRW chassis parts are part of Lemforder/ZF/Sachs now.

It is! 28€ each.

 

[Jetronic]

One more thing, I got some Meyle HD stabiliser links. I really like these a lot. Stronger and bigger than oem balljoints and rods. I will also look if Meyle makes some other Heavy Duty items for my car if needed.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

OEM, MOOG, TRW

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

I would have no problem with Febi, TRW or Delphi. All OEM suppliers.

 

[AutoMechanic]

OEM or TRW. I used to be brand loyal to Moog for that type of stuff but the quality has gone down a lot so i wouldn’t use them. Febi is good too.

 

[GSCJR]

Hopefully Trav will chime in.

 

[gathermewool]

Hopefully Trav will chime in.

You’ve got to type, “hopefully @Trav will chime in”

the @ will alert the user that someone has mentioned them.

 

[Number_35]

We would call your "Controle Technique" a "safety inspection" here in western Canada. It's required only when a new owner registers a car. In New Zealand, one needs to obtain a WOF (Warrant Of Fitness) twice a year.

Regarding which brand of ball joint to use, I agree with others who have recommended that you wait for Trav's recommendation. He's a European car specialist.

 

[Timmastertech]

Lemfoerder if it is available would be my choice. If not, I would take a look at whats in the box from Febi. Febi is a reboxer so parts can be hit or miss

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

One more thing, I got some Meyle HD stabiliser links. I really like these a lot. Stronger and bigger than oem balljoints and rods. I will also look if Meyle makes some other Heavy Duty items for my car if needed.

Meyle can be deceivingly terrible. They look good but don’t last longer than URO.

 

[Astro14]

Avoid Meyle, URO and other made in China parts. Febi is a roll of the bones.

Lemforder is good. So is Mercedes. Since labor and alignment make up the preponderance of cost, you really save nothing by going cheap with suspension parts.

 

[atikovi]

My choices are Moog, Febi Bilstein, Delphi, TRW, Mapco, Quinton Hazell and few others less known brands.

Make sure they are made in the EU and you should be ok. I would assume the Febi is still made in Germany but you never know.

 

[GSCJR]

You’ve got to type, “hopefully @Trav will chime in”

the @ will alert the user that someone has mentioned them.

Okay, thanks for the tip.

 

[Jetronic]

Avoid Meyle, URO and other made in China parts. Febi is a roll of the bones.

Lemforder is good. So is Mercedes. Since labor and alignment make up the preponderance of cost, you really save nothing by going cheap with suspension parts.

The Meyle I have got big Made in Germany stickers on it

 

[2EHA]

lemforder is good

TRW is mid grade

URO = cheap dice roll

moog = expensive dice roll