Who makes good ball joints these days?
- Thread starter GSCJR
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Originally Posted by diyjake
Was Moog ever good? I used them before on my Dakota because I was told they are one of the best aftermarket parts company but I don't have much long term experience because I sold my truck a few months later.
I think they were probably 100% US made at one point, then only the Problem Solver line was US made, and then all of the sudden they are just a reboxer and very few of their parts are made in the US. The sold their name out for shareholder profits, just like almost any company that once had a decent reputation.
Was Moog ever good? I used them before on my Dakota because I was told they are one of the best aftermarket parts company but I don't have much long term experience because I sold my truck a few months later.
I think they were probably 100% US made at one point, then only the Problem Solver line was US made, and then all of the sudden they are just a reboxer and very few of their parts are made in the US. The sold their name out for shareholder profits, just like almost any company that once had a decent reputation.
That really stinks, Moog was a decent aftermarket company that you can easily get at local auto parts stores, but like all other things, good things come to an end.
Just like back in the day you know if you got parts from Napa you knew you got a decent quality part, you paid a little more for it but it was worth it, now napa pretty much sells crap too.
Just like back in the day you know if you got parts from Napa you knew you got a decent quality part, you paid a little more for it but it was worth it, now napa pretty much sells crap too.
How about Detriot Axle? I read nothing but good reviews. But like all scary cheap suspension parts, you wonder how safe they are.
OEM only. Moog Problem Solver if it's going onto a truck.
Originally Posted by Schmoe
What ever you do, see if you can get one with grease inserts.
Not true. The greasable joints are a nuisance. The OEM style joints have a very long service life under most operating conditions.
What ever you do, see if you can get one with grease inserts.
Not true. The greasable joints are a nuisance. The OEM style joints have a very long service life under most operating conditions.
This ^ x1000
Originally Posted by dogememe
I'm doing all four BJs on my truck. I'm going with Precision upper control arm/ball joint assemblies and Moog ball joints for the lowers. MOST Moog parts are still made in the USA - not all, unfortunately.
That's what I ended up with on my Ranger this time, so far so good, but I'm not expecting anywhere near OE life.
The OE ball joints were still good at 127K miles, but all the boots were cracked and falling apart. I decided to proactively replace with what I thought were high quality Raybestos parts...those wore out in less than 90K miles...not cracked boots, but creaking and totally shot. Should have just run the OE until they were actually worn, but oh well.
I'm doing all four BJs on my truck. I'm going with Precision upper control arm/ball joint assemblies and Moog ball joints for the lowers. MOST Moog parts are still made in the USA - not all, unfortunately.
That's what I ended up with on my Ranger this time, so far so good, but I'm not expecting anywhere near OE life.
The OE ball joints were still good at 127K miles, but all the boots were cracked and falling apart. I decided to proactively replace with what I thought were high quality Raybestos parts...those wore out in less than 90K miles...not cracked boots, but creaking and totally shot. Should have just run the OE until they were actually worn, but oh well.
Yesterday while I was at the jobber inquiring about different options, two customers overheard and they both said "get MOOG!". I'm pretty sure I read on BITOG that they're not what they used to be. I'm glad I received confirmation by starting this thread.
I appreciate everyone's input thus far; keep it coming! The plan is to keep the car on the road for at least 4 more years. I'll just make sure I'm sitting down when I call the dealer tomorrow for a price.
I appreciate everyone's input thus far; keep it coming! The plan is to keep the car on the road for at least 4 more years. I'll just make sure I'm sitting down when I call the dealer tomorrow for a price.
Detroit Axle? Look on Amazon, their reviews are AWFUL!
I actually ended up buying the MasterPro ball joints, I had ordered both for my truck just to compare how they looked and one of the Moog ones had been opened and looks like someone attempted to install it. So I didn't want it. The Moogs were however Made in USA.
I actually ended up buying the MasterPro ball joints, I had ordered both for my truck just to compare how they looked and one of the Moog ones had been opened and looks like someone attempted to install it. So I didn't want it. The Moogs were however Made in USA.
Originally Posted by kr_bitog
I think the most difficult part is who make the part for your car model, typically OE is still the best even though some reputable Japanese company like GMB quality is also good. The other difficult part is whether you can get genuine part and not fake part, so sometimes it does give peace of mind to obtain OE part from your dealer.
GMB is good.. Also F.A.G ball joints and good to but thats mostly for U.K but there parts are tops..
I think the most difficult part is who make the part for your car model, typically OE is still the best even though some reputable Japanese company like GMB quality is also good. The other difficult part is whether you can get genuine part and not fake part, so sometimes it does give peace of mind to obtain OE part from your dealer.
GMB is good.. Also F.A.G ball joints and good to but thats mostly for U.K but there parts are tops..
Originally Posted by David1
GMB is good.. Also F.A.G ball joints and good to but thats mostly for U.K but there parts are tops..
The Europeans have it easy - Lemforder/ZF can be had for most Euro cars as well. F-A-G is more for bearings/hubs, part of the Schaeffler Group along with INA.
GMB is Japanese aftermarket, now made in Korea.
GMB is good.. Also F.A.G ball joints and good to but thats mostly for U.K but there parts are tops..
The Europeans have it easy - Lemforder/ZF can be had for most Euro cars as well. F-A-G is more for bearings/hubs, part of the Schaeffler Group along with INA.
GMB is Japanese aftermarket, now made in Korea.
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Originally Posted by GSCJR
Yesterday while I was at the jobber inquiring about different options, two customers overheard and they both said "get MOOG!". I'm pretty sure I read on BITOG that they're not what they used to be. I'm glad I received confirmation by starting this thread.
I appreciate everyone's input thus far; keep it coming! The plan is to keep the car on the road for at least 4 more years. I'll just make sure I'm sitting down when I call the dealer tomorrow for a price.
When Moog was still Moog (pre 1998) they were very good parts in fact they were in many cases better than OE. Today under the FM umbrella they have turned into a second tier supplier, for many years there were a lot of NOS parts available for common applications so the name went bad gradually.
I only use them if I have to have it right now and there is no decent alternative like OE available. Its possible some of the ones made for US cars and trucks are still made in the US but I don't know for sure.
Yesterday while I was at the jobber inquiring about different options, two customers overheard and they both said "get MOOG!". I'm pretty sure I read on BITOG that they're not what they used to be. I'm glad I received confirmation by starting this thread.
I appreciate everyone's input thus far; keep it coming! The plan is to keep the car on the road for at least 4 more years. I'll just make sure I'm sitting down when I call the dealer tomorrow for a price.
When Moog was still Moog (pre 1998) they were very good parts in fact they were in many cases better than OE. Today under the FM umbrella they have turned into a second tier supplier, for many years there were a lot of NOS parts available for common applications so the name went bad gradually.
I only use them if I have to have it right now and there is no decent alternative like OE available. Its possible some of the ones made for US cars and trucks are still made in the US but I don't know for sure.
Originally Posted by dogememe
Detroit Axle? Look on Amazon, their reviews are AWFUL!
I actually ended up buying the MasterPro ball joints, I had ordered both for my truck just to compare how they looked and one of the Moog ones had been opened and looks like someone attempted to install it. So I didn't want it. The Moogs were however Made in USA.
I have found Amazon reviews to be next to worthless when it comes to Automotive stuff. You either get arrived on time. Great. Or somebody whining. I belong to several Facebook truck forums and the vast majority of the reviews from people that are using them are good. As a matter of fact I haven't seen one negative review from hundreds of people chiming in about Detroit axle. I haven't used them personally but I might try them on my Escalade. I'm definitely tempted because of the cost of OEM AC Delco is pretty high and the trucks getting old
Detroit Axle? Look on Amazon, their reviews are AWFUL!
I actually ended up buying the MasterPro ball joints, I had ordered both for my truck just to compare how they looked and one of the Moog ones had been opened and looks like someone attempted to install it. So I didn't want it. The Moogs were however Made in USA.
I have found Amazon reviews to be next to worthless when it comes to Automotive stuff. You either get arrived on time. Great. Or somebody whining. I belong to several Facebook truck forums and the vast majority of the reviews from people that are using them are good. As a matter of fact I haven't seen one negative review from hundreds of people chiming in about Detroit axle. I haven't used them personally but I might try them on my Escalade. I'm definitely tempted because of the cost of OEM AC Delco is pretty high and the trucks getting old
I have rebuilt several front suspensions with the Detriot Axle kits, several Explorers. The OE ball joints and control arm bushings were junk, non greasable boots rotted away squeak and shimmy. They all aligned easy. I marked the cams before disassembly, and all just needed toe to be in the green. For these explorers, 95 to 2002 years, I wouldn't want the OE stuff. And Moog is junk now. Used to be the best, often times better than OE with the problem solver line.
And the Detroit axle kits are cheap, you get a big box of stuff for the price of a few pieces from autozone. And how long will the Detroit parts last? Who knows, but they will probably outlast the Explorers.
So I say use the cheapest parts or OE dealer stuff. Because odds are mid priced stuff is the same as cheap stuff that has been boxed different. I think all the stuff from auto parts stores is cheap china junk in Duralast or Napa boxes.
And the Detroit axle kits are cheap, you get a big box of stuff for the price of a few pieces from autozone. And how long will the Detroit parts last? Who knows, but they will probably outlast the Explorers.
So I say use the cheapest parts or OE dealer stuff. Because odds are mid priced stuff is the same as cheap stuff that has been boxed different. I think all the stuff from auto parts stores is cheap china junk in Duralast or Napa boxes.
Proforged makes good stuff
Delphi control arms are also a good choice. They are made in Turkey by Disa/Deeza
Delphi control arms are also a good choice. They are made in Turkey by Disa/Deeza
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