I posted a while back about the boots on my truck's lower ball joints developing small cracks. They have since both torn all the way open. The boots are really brittle. Since these are sealed for life, it's about time for new ones. 120K miles/10 years is okay service life on these trucks, but I think the actual joints would have been able to go longer if it wasn't for the boots becoming brittle.
Anyway, I am looking for suggestions for good ball joints that will last a long time. Preferably with grease fittings.
Deeza looks like they are high quality, but they are sealed for life. The Motorcraft ones on Rock Auto show grease fittings, but the description only says "where applicable." The Raybestos ball joints appear to be high quality and have grease fittings. Moog would have been an option in the past, but I have been reading not so great things about them on here. What about Napa for chassis parts?
Also, it was my understanding that all SLA independent front suspension Rangers had to have the upper control arm/ball joint replaced as an assembly. On Rock Auto though I am seeing lots of standalone upper ball joints for the coil spring suspension (like mine). Most of the upper control arms are for the torsion bar suspension, though there are also ones for the coil spring suspension. Does this mean I can safely assume the uppers can be pressed out and the control arms reused?
Anyway, I am looking for suggestions for good ball joints that will last a long time. Preferably with grease fittings.
Deeza looks like they are high quality, but they are sealed for life. The Motorcraft ones on Rock Auto show grease fittings, but the description only says "where applicable." The Raybestos ball joints appear to be high quality and have grease fittings. Moog would have been an option in the past, but I have been reading not so great things about them on here. What about Napa for chassis parts?
Also, it was my understanding that all SLA independent front suspension Rangers had to have the upper control arm/ball joint replaced as an assembly. On Rock Auto though I am seeing lots of standalone upper ball joints for the coil spring suspension (like mine). Most of the upper control arms are for the torsion bar suspension, though there are also ones for the coil spring suspension. Does this mean I can safely assume the uppers can be pressed out and the control arms reused?