Their a biotch 
Ball joint - brand/source?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 2
Ball joint - brand/source?
Ok so while I've had my '85 up on stands replacing u-joints, hubs, poly bushings, etc, etc, I just happened to notice the wear indicators on the front lower ball joints say it's time for them to go too. Car has 72K on the clock and the ball joints appear to be original (tops are still installed with rivets).
I am familiar with MOOG components so I checked the ususal sources. Rockauto.com has them for $65 (lower) and $68 (upper) coming to $264 plus shipping. Autopartsgiant has them in the 70s. So I thought I'd check Ecklers, Mad and Zip.
Ecklers has a front rebuild kit (Ecklers Part Number 43657) including the 4 ball joints and both tierod ends for $199, the sell single joints for $39.99. What's the deal are these things a name brand or junk? Mid America has a 4 joint kit for $129 and sells individual joints for $39.99. The have a complete front end kit with poly bushings and tie rods for $349.
My question is are the parts in these kits quality or not? Should I get a kit and save the $$$ or buy the MOOG parts elsewhere?
Thanks in advance.
Ryan
I am familiar with MOOG components so I checked the ususal sources. Rockauto.com has them for $65 (lower) and $68 (upper) coming to $264 plus shipping. Autopartsgiant has them in the 70s. So I thought I'd check Ecklers, Mad and Zip.
Ecklers has a front rebuild kit (Ecklers Part Number 43657) including the 4 ball joints and both tierod ends for $199, the sell single joints for $39.99. What's the deal are these things a name brand or junk? Mid America has a 4 joint kit for $129 and sells individual joints for $39.99. The have a complete front end kit with poly bushings and tie rods for $349.
My question is are the parts in these kits quality or not? Should I get a kit and save the $$$ or buy the MOOG parts elsewhere?
Thanks in advance.
Ryan
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
How do you read the wear indicators? I've looked at mine a bunch of times and can't figure it out.
There's a notch in the steel around the zerk fitting...but what am I looking for?
There's a notch in the steel around the zerk fitting...but what am I looking for?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by Pete K
The zerk fitting screws into a small nipple that protrudes from the ball joint base. If the nipple is even with, or below the surface of the base then replacement is needed.
I've got one even and one below even.
I'm leaning towards the Moog's already Pete. Thanks for the input. This is a driver/autocross car so it will get driven hard.
All advice welcome!
Thanks,
Ryan
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Nascar teams have run nothing but standard over the counter replacement Moog ball joints for decades, nuff said?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 1
From: sd
I went with the kit from www.powerperformancemotorsports.com. For the fronts including all poly bushings and joints and the outer tie rod ends for $220. I've not had a problem with them and believe them to be quality parts. I don't think however that they are a white box brand typical with generic or off brand parts. Installed mine last summer and am quite pleased with them. It doesn't help that you already have the poly bushings but maybe you could recoup some money and sell them on the net or through the forum to someone else. I liked this kit for what it provided and lets face it, you can dump all you want into this car and it is still only going to be worth so much $. Don't get me wrong I love my vette but I'm not going to spend an arm and a leg to get what it needs to keep her in great shape. Keep up on the maintainence like you are and she'll treat you right. Good luck and have fun with the new feel of your vette. You're going to love it!
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 83
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From: Ashburn VA
How about Vette Brakes? I'm using their ball joints on my 3rd gen F-Body, and they seemed to be pretty heavy duty. I haven't haven't priced them yet for the Vette, but that's what I'm going with when the time comes.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by VT Solo2
How about Vette Brakes? I'm using their ball joints on my 3rd gen F-Body, and they seemed to be pretty heavy duty. I haven't haven't priced them yet for the Vette, but that's what I'm going with when the time comes.
Still looking to see if anyone has used the Ecklers kit, sure is tempting to replace all four joints and outer tie rod ends for $199.
Thanks,
Ryan
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 2
Did a little research on my own. Called Ecklers and asked who makes the ball joints in that kit. The customer service person informed me they are purchased from Automaxparts. Their web site is under construction but they appear to be a distribution center for offshore products.
Read another article in the newsgroups about a Moog production plant burning down about a year ago and that Moog parts may actually be imported due to demand.
So many unknowns when all you want is a quality part.
Ryan
Read another article in the newsgroups about a Moog production plant burning down about a year ago and that Moog parts may actually be imported due to demand.
So many unknowns when all you want is a quality part.
Ryan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
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From: Kempner Texas
Originally Posted by reidry
I've got one even and one below even.I'm leaning towards the Moog's already Pete. Thanks for the input. This is a driver/autocross car so it will get driven hard. All advice welcome!Thanks,RyanJake
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by JAKE
I bought my Moogs from Pep Boys. You'll need to get the loaner tool from AutoZone, too.
Jake
Jake
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
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Well I decided on the Moog ball joints. Didn't like the price, but much to my satisfaction the joints look good and are labeled "Made in the USA". Quality appears good. Started removing the front suspension today. Hope to have them done mid week, I'm glass beading and clear coating all my suspension members as I go.
Ryan
Ryan
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: The Pines South Jersey
Originally Posted by Pete K
The zerk fitting screws into a small nipple that protrudes from the ball joint base. If the nipple is even with, or below the surface of the base then replacement is needed.
