Ball joints-differences
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Knox KY
Ball joints-differences
Ok, on Ecklers they have 2 different ball joints for my vette. One is $129 and the other is $39. I called and talked to them today and the guy couldn't give me much info on them besides one ws GM original and the other was after market. Besides the obvious visual differences and the prices. Can anyone tell me the difference? Am I sacrificing anything by going with something other then GM original? Below are the links to the 2 different ball joints.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?d...EN8H6E0K67BWW7
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?d...EN8H6E0K67BWW7
Thanks,
Robert
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?d...EN8H6E0K67BWW7
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?d...EN8H6E0K67BWW7
Thanks,
Robert
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 3
From: Clearwater FL
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Ball joints-differences (rhay)
I was looking at ball joints and didn't find anything definitive comparing them. I did hear from research here that MOOG seems to be a good aftermarket choice, and http://www.rockauto.com has them for a fair price and most who have dealt with them here say they are a good company to deal with. You may also want to check out http://www.pst.com as well, I heard they were good as well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
Re: Ball joints-differences (rhay)
Not sure what year you are talking, but Corvette Central has complete upper a arms that include OEM ball joints (riveted) and new rubber bushings installed. Completely new not rebuilt. $100.
Someone else located these on the forum..I bought two and installing them this winter.
It is cost effective as new joints cost money and then you have to pay to have the old ones removed (or spend the time doing it yourself-those rivets are a pain in aluminum) and then you still have old bushings. Someone also said that the nuts/bolts can also cause wheel clearance issues...
Check them out!
Someone else located these on the forum..I bought two and installing them this winter.
It is cost effective as new joints cost money and then you have to pay to have the old ones removed (or spend the time doing it yourself-those rivets are a pain in aluminum) and then you still have old bushings. Someone also said that the nuts/bolts can also cause wheel clearance issues...
Check them out!
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Ball joints-differences (C4DC)
Unless somethings changed in the last few years, Winston Cup cars run over the counter Moog ball joints. That should be good enough for us!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: Ball joints-differences (Corvette Kid NC)
I do believe the OEM units are sealed (no grease fitting), whereas the other kind have the hole in them and a fitting. I installed MOOG units and am pleased with the fit and finish. Got from Rockauto.com for around $70 each. The new upper arms are a steal at $100 from central. Just do them all and the car will be much more like new in handling. I recommend changing the tie rods as well since an alignment needs to be done. They are $40 each.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Re: Ball joints-differences (C4DC)
FWIW, I emailed PST and asked what brand of ball joints they use. their response was:
"We use various premium brand ball joints backed by a limited
lifetime warranty. Once we receive the parts they are unlabeled which makes it difficult to say whether you have TRW,MOOG or etc."
PST sounds like a good deal unless knowing what brand of ball joints you are getting is important to you. I would prefer Moog, would probably accept TRW. The etc brand is not acceptable to me, so I will pay extra to buy Moog joints with their labels still on them. If I was building up a Chevelle, I wouldn't hesitate to use PST, but I'm not. They need to offer brand names as an option, even an extra cost option to guarantee a certain brand.
"We use various premium brand ball joints backed by a limited
lifetime warranty. Once we receive the parts they are unlabeled which makes it difficult to say whether you have TRW,MOOG or etc."
PST sounds like a good deal unless knowing what brand of ball joints you are getting is important to you. I would prefer Moog, would probably accept TRW. The etc brand is not acceptable to me, so I will pay extra to buy Moog joints with their labels still on them. If I was building up a Chevelle, I wouldn't hesitate to use PST, but I'm not. They need to offer brand names as an option, even an extra cost option to guarantee a certain brand.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Ball joints-differences (Goody)
I do believe the OEM units are sealed (no grease fitting), whereas the other kind have the hole in them and a fitting. I installed MOOG units and am pleased with the fit and finish. Got from Rockauto.com for around $70 each. The new upper arms are a steal at $100 from central. Just do them all and the car will be much more like new in handling. I recommend changing the tie rods as well since an alignment needs to be done. They are $40 each.
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Re: Ball joints-differences (rhay)
Well from the photos the diffrences I can see are that the GM unit has a straight zerk fitting vs the aftermarket 90 dergree. The bolts on the GM have lower frofile heads which could be important with wider wheels (read a post on that here recently). And the aftermarket seems to have a shim with it.
OK, I know this doesn't directly answer the question about quality, but I thought I'd answer just in case this was a test with a prize for the right answer.
OK, I know this doesn't directly answer the question about quality, but I thought I'd answer just in case this was a test with a prize for the right answer.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: Ball joints-differences (Goody)
I do believe the OEM units are sealed (no grease fitting), whereas the other kind have the hole in them and a fitting.
RACE ON!!!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 296
Likes: 2
From: Commerce, MI
Re: Ball joints-differences (rhay)
When I worked in the aftermarket, I found Moog parts to be very good. They often had a "problem solver" design that was an improvement over OE. I would not hesitate to use these parts. However, make sure they are in a Moog box, not just made by them. Moog will make parts for other names, but they are of a lesser design. :cheers:
[Modified by Gearheadotaku, 1:33 PM 1/21/2004]
[Modified by Gearheadotaku, 1:34 PM 1/21/2004]
[Modified by Gearheadotaku, 1:33 PM 1/21/2004]
[Modified by Gearheadotaku, 1:34 PM 1/21/2004]
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
Re: Ball joints-differences (Gearheadotaku)
I had big problems with MOOG never did get the right parts from them! three tries. and a previous one that was too big and ruined the control arm for the next use! Now for the funny part I finally got the right ones from TRW. Guess what TRW is owned by MOOG.
so my advis is check very carefully befor pressing them in! and don't count on a fast job!
so my advis is check very carefully befor pressing them in! and don't count on a fast job!