Looking for opinions on ball joint quality - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BigRed76 · 04-13-2016, 09:45 PM

My '71 C10 needs upper ball joints, they are loose and the right is clunking now. The whole front end was rebuilt 3 yrs. & 30K miles ago with CPP ball joints, so needless to say I'm not impressed. I'm a full time mechanic and I've done my fair share of ball joints, most of them napa brand, and I haven't been too impressed with them either. I know moog parts have traditionally been quality parts but lately I've been hearing otherwise.

I've looked around at upper ball joints and there are quite a few brands to choose from, so I would like to hear everyone's opinion on ball joints as far as quality. Thanks guys

**Boog** · 04-14-2016, 05:45 AM

There is only one ball joint worth using, in my opinion. Moog.

**Grumpy old man** · 04-14-2016, 06:14 AM

Moog x 2
Posted via Mobile Device

DBK81 · 04-14-2016, 12:51 PM

I've read that Moog's quality has fallen off in past years (manufactured outside USA) I'm on the fence with this as well, toss up between NAPA premium and Moog for me. Need to do upper and lower here soon.

67ChevyRedneck · 04-14-2016, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBK81

I've read that Moog's quality has fallen off in past years (manufactured outside USA) I'm on the fence with this as well, toss up between NAPA premium and Moog for me. Need to do upper and lower here soon.

Yup, I got a mix bag the last time I ordered them. I sent them back and used the PN to find USA ones locally. If I'm going to pay $25-35 per friggin ball joint they better be USA.

BigRed76 · 04-14-2016, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Yup, I got a mix bag the last time I ordered them. I sent them back and used the PN to find USA ones locally. If I'm going to pay $25-35 per friggin ball joint they better be USA.

$25-35 per ball joint would be nice, from what I've found napa and moog are $50-55 each for the uppers.

**MikeB** · 04-14-2016, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRed76

$25-35 per ball joint would be nice, from what I've found napa and moog are $50-55 each for the uppers.

Have you tried RockAuto.com?

BigRed76 · 04-15-2016, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeB

Have you tried RockAuto.com?

I just checked, $30.79 each for moog uppers. Total with shipping is like $68. Whether or not they're made in USA is unclear, but I think I'll go ahead and order them since it seems the consensus here is to go with moog.

DBK81 · 04-14-2016, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Yup, I got a mix bag the last time I ordered them. I sent them back and used the PN to find USA ones locally. If I'm going to pay $25-35 per friggin ball joint they better be USA.

What part numbers were the USA ones?

toolboxchev · 04-15-2016, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBK81

I've read that Moog's quality has fallen off in past years (manufactured outside USA) I'm on the fence with this as well, toss up between NAPA premium and Moog for me. Need to do upper and lower here soon.

Just put some Moog bottoms in my c-20 a year ago, now my original uppers are about to go. I stayed away from NAPA on the bottoms due to their use of plastics.

I did how ever like their blue booties! How cute. Jury is still out on the quality. Jegs however came through with the checkered flag when I got my shipment I also did lower control arm shafts, one of the boxes was missing parts and they just shipped out a complete new one. NO HASSLES!

That helps a ton when doing repairs.

toolboxchev · 04-15-2016, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBK81

I've read that Moog's quality has fallen off in past years (manufactured outside USA) I'm on the fence with this as well, toss up between NAPA premium and Moog for me. Need to do upper and lower here soon.

I have seen their parts coming from all over the world. Its what a parts supplier has on the shelf in their supply chain.

BigRed76 · 04-20-2016, 09:47 PM

I got my moog ball joints in the mail today from rockauto. Both boxes say made in USA, so hopefully they will be worthwhile.

6768chevylover · 04-14-2016, 12:58 PM

Dont know what LMC brands are but my trucks a daily driver and its been rebuild for about 5 yrs now anf ball joints are pretty good.

**leddzepp** · 04-14-2016, 03:21 PM

I used Parts Master (house brand at star auto parts). Made in USA, identical to Moog (I compared them side by side)...about 1/3 the cost of Moog.

67ChevyRedneck · 04-14-2016, 04:31 PM

^They're the same. What I meant to say was I returned the china or mexico ones (don't remember) and hit up advance auto and opened boxes until I got USA ones.

And holy crap, I must have paid more than I remembered, they're showing $40 for the lower and $66 for the upper.

DBK81 · 04-14-2016, 04:55 PM

ahhh shoot, ok, I would be ordering online, so searching through boxes isn't an option.

NC_John · 04-14-2016, 07:36 PM

I got a set of made in the USA moog's from rock auto just recently.

El Dorado Jim · 04-21-2016, 03:01 AM

Moog has always been known to be the best, if they are made in Mexico, I would think they would still be held to the same quality as USA made, they want to keep up their good name

04-13-2016, 09:45 PM	#1
BigRed76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,921	Looking for opinions on ball joint quality My '71 C10 needs upper ball joints, they are loose and the right is clunking now. The whole front end was rebuilt 3 yrs. & 30K miles ago with CPP ball joints, so needless to say I'm not impressed. I'm a full time mechanic and I've done my fair share of ball joints, most of them napa brand, and I haven't been too impressed with them either. I know moog parts have traditionally been quality parts but lately I've been hearing otherwise. I've looked around at upper ball joints and there are quite a few brands to choose from, so I would like to hear everyone's opinion on ball joints as far as quality. Thanks guys __________________ Zach 1970 Chevrolet Custom Camper K20 1971 GMC Super K2500, 12V/NV4500 swap in progress 1971 Chevrolet Custom C10 1972 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe C20, 5.3/4L60E 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 455/TH400, 3.73 posi 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD, LB7/Allison, CCSB 2005 GMC Sierra 1500, 5.3/4L60E, CCSB

04-14-2016, 05:45 AM	#2
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,459	Re: Looking for opinions on ball joint quality There is only one ball joint worth using, in my opinion. Moog. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

04-14-2016, 06:14 AM	#3
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: Looking for opinions on ball joint quality Moog x 2 Posted via Mobile Device

04-14-2016, 12:51 PM	#4
DBK81 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 357	Re: Looking for opinions on ball joint quality I've read that Moog's quality has fallen off in past years (manufactured outside USA) I'm on the fence with this as well, toss up between NAPA premium and Moog for me. Need to do upper and lower here soon. __________________ 1972 C10 - It might be old, but it's not slow

04-20-2016, 09:47 PM	#12
BigRed76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,921	Re: Looking for opinions on ball joint quality I got my moog ball joints in the mail today from rockauto. Both boxes say made in USA, so hopefully they will be worthwhile. Attached Images __________________ Zach 1970 Chevrolet Custom Camper K20 1971 GMC Super K2500, 12V/NV4500 swap in progress 1971 Chevrolet Custom C10 1972 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe C20, 5.3/4L60E 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 455/TH400, 3.73 posi 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD, LB7/Allison, CCSB 2005 GMC Sierra 1500, 5.3/4L60E, CCSB

04-14-2016, 12:58 PM	#13
6768chevylover Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: nepa Posts: 745	Re: Looking for opinions on ball joint quality Dont know what LMC brands are but my trucks a daily driver and its been rebuild for about 5 yrs now anf ball joints are pretty good.

04-14-2016, 03:21 PM	#14
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,022	Re: Looking for opinions on ball joint quality I used Parts Master (house brand at star auto parts). Made in USA, identical to Moog (I compared them side by side)...about 1/3 the cost of Moog. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

04-14-2016, 04:31 PM	#15
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Looking for opinions on ball joint quality ^They're the same. What I meant to say was I returned the china or mexico ones (don't remember) and hit up advance auto and opened boxes until I got USA ones. And holy crap, I must have paid more than I remembered, they're showing $40 for the lower and $66 for the upper. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

04-14-2016, 04:55 PM	#16
DBK81 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 357	Re: Looking for opinions on ball joint quality ahhh shoot, ok, I would be ordering online, so searching through boxes isn't an option. __________________ 1972 C10 - It might be old, but it's not slow

04-14-2016, 07:36 PM	#17
NC_John Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Rockwell, NC Posts: 1,639	Re: Looking for opinions on ball joint quality I got a set of made in the USA moog's from rock auto just recently. __________________ 1970 C-10 LWB "Blu" Instagram (current build pictures) 70_nc_c10

04-21-2016, 03:01 AM	#18
El Dorado Jim Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: El Dorado Ca Posts: 3,374	Re: Looking for opinions on ball joint quality Moog has always been known to be the best, if they are made in Mexico, I would think they would still be held to the same quality as USA made, they want to keep up their good name

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