Wheelman

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I am going to replace my ball joints while everything is apart and I am wondering if anyone has bought this kit and how the quality is. It comes with all 4 ball joints plus the tie rod ends, and is less than 4 ball joints seperately from autozone or orielly...I also found this later which seems to be the same thing minus the control arm busings which i dont need anyway. Anyone know the difference? Why is it so much less than autozone/orielly ball joints are individually?

94ZR1

Always had good service from Ecklers and good prices
Cant help you with the front end rebuild question but I wouldnt hesitate to use Ecklers parts if I had to do one

Good luck and let us know how it goes

Wheelman

I have always had good service from them too, its the prices i'm worried about 4 ball joints from orielly or autozone alone are $240 - $320 !!! Thats why I skeptical about it

smearig

I'm interested in a front end rebuild kit too if anybody has suggestions.

I just checked the Willcox site and they have the ball joints for around $26 each so maybe the local parts stores are just way overpriced.

Wheelman

Aparently so...usually they are the cheapest though. Anyway, even at $26 each the whole front end kit at $140 is a deal

franks96ce

if you were to use a local store dont ever use autozone,orilley's as better parts.

mikey whipreck

I bought the kit from CorvetteCentral.com.
It's pretty much the same thing, but that kit includes tie rod ends and totals about $200.
It's been on my car for 2 years or so now. It was one of the best repairs I've done so far. If your ball joints are shot, new ones will make an impressive difference in handling.

I installed this kit myself, with the A-Arms on the car, using a press that I rented from autozone (for free).

Corvette Kid

I would forget a kit or prices and just get Moog if you want the best.

smearig

Moogs are $72.79 for lowers and $76.79 for uppers online for a total of $298.96 for the front end. Maybe OReilly and Autozone are selling Moogs?

0Willcox Corvette

We are having problems with our site tonight. I'll have to post the link tomorrow.

Alzado77

I'm in the process of doing my front end now with a kit from ecklers. A couple of things to consider. Once it's apart it's a good time to replace the rubber bushings with polyurethane. Also as far as the press goes to get the ball joints out. I had to go to 2 different Autozones to get the correct one. If it's the one they have for around $80 don't bother with it. The one you need is $150 and worked so slick I'm not even going to take it back. A handy thing to have in my garage. Also it is a good time to clean the suspension and shine the alluminum if you want. The biggest thing though is renting the correct press tool kit from Autozone. Pretty easy project if you have one of those and of course a ball joint separator tool. If you've ever had the desire to lower the front it's also a good time to do that while it's apart. Just some thoughts. Good luck!

stearnman

What you've got listed there is for '63 to '82. Got any C4 suspension kits?

0Willcox Corvette

Opps.. I'll fix it thanks.

smearig

And how do the ball joints in your kit compare to Moog ball joints? It looks like you have a great price.

xflagz51

Use a puller for the tie rod ends, please do not use a pickle fork! Steel and aluminum just don't go together. Just my $.02, it's your car. I learned about Moog well after I installed the ball joints in my car, but a lot of other members say that Moog is the best. I'm always wondering about the quality of these kits from places like Ecklers and Mid-America, who's manufacturing this stuff? I don't want to sound like the "nothings to good for my baby" crowd, but it would be nice to know that you're installing a quality product. Those prices for Moogs were down right affordable, go to a Chevy parts counter if you want a real scare! I think one is $100 and other is astronomical.

Adam.

ozvette87

they have been awesome with o/s shipping, trust them!

89Corvette6spdFX3

Sounds like a winter project for me...

The latest lowering thread says lowering the front makes the car ride like crap.

GlennS87

I used moogs in mine. The kits seemed attractive but when I asked where the ball joints came from they either didn't know or they admitted they came from China.

Wheelman

Those lowering kits don't change the spring rate at all, and they don't affect the ride either.

smearig

I figured as much but I would like to hear if they are holding up well despite being 15% of the price of Moogs.