Ball Joints On A 1994 Limited Edition Explorer

[VA7LFD]

My ball joints need replacing and I am trying to source parts up here in Vancouver B.C. The local Ford dealerships don't carry but a place called Lordco does sell the ball joints which would cost close to $500 Canadian for the upper and lower both sides. I was told what kind of front end I have Dana 28 or 35? I have no clue it's a completely stock truck. How do I find out, is it through the VIN number or something else? My driver side wheel is really worn on the inside and I wan't to get it fixed for obvious safety reasons. I don't need anything high end. Can I look on RockAuto are they a great place for these kind of parts?

 

[Rainier]

Rock Auto is good for inexpensive parts. Also check Amazon.ca

$500 doesn't seem that bad for upper and lowers on both sides.

 

[AGodlyCanuck]

what in the cornholio?
I just replaced mine and the balljoints were like $20 each?
all first gen explorers have the Dana 35 in the front end i am told. The other one would be the smaller front end that some rangers had.
this was napa.

 

[RangerX]

Yes, d35 only, on all Explorers.
If you're getting quoted $500 for the parts AND installation, that's, one thing, but it reads like that's the price for just the parts alone. I bought a set of 4 Moog brand joints about ten years ago and paid $40-50...

 

[Rainier]

I think I payed like $150 for upper and lower with control arms for a Crown Vic, I assumed the Explorer had similar pricing. I didn't actually check though.

Ok, I checked, like $45 American gets you both uppers and lowers. I guess there is no "control arm" or if there is, it isn't in the set. My bad, obviously, I am unfamiliar with a lot, since my previous reply was based on what I paid for another vehicle. Though, he is in Canada, and I believe he was talking about installed price also.

https://www.amazon.com/DLZ-1989-1990-1991-1994-1989-1997-1994-1997/dp/B01J54TVJM

Link for a set for $45. No idea if the brand is any good or not.

 

[410Fortune]

You want to run GOOD ball joints here not some cheap units
Your Explorer has the Dana 35 TTB (twin traction beam) suspension if it is a 4wd

Ac Delco professional like these:
More Information for ACDELCO 45D2145
Or motorcraft or Dana spicer

Do not run MOOG or any parts store cheap ball joints if you plan to keep the truck for any length of time!

 

[Rainier]

Moog aren't considered good?

 

[410Fortune]

Hit and miss / not really
I used to love Moog, then their quality went way down, now it seems hit or miss
The moog replacement joints are not built nearly as well as some of the competition
Why pay more for inferior parts?

I prefer Mevotec TTX ball joints, however right now they only make a lower
A Canadian company called MAS was making some super tough rugged design ball joints I loved but now they have been purchased by Dorman and I am not sure you can get them anymore. Proforge seems to make some good stuff.

So I run AC delco, Motorcraft, or Spicer upper control arms or get the moog uppers that allow you to replace the ball joint and then stick a good ball joint in there like the ones I just mentioned
Moog is apparently trying to improve their product again to compete but to me the the damage has been done and I have moved on. I do run some moog parts like their sway bar links are good
Motorcraft and Spicer the quality has always been there so why not just go with OEM or better?

Research is key before spending my customers money I choose the best parts I can get for the $$$$ every time

 

[Rainier]

Thanks 410fortune. I know this isn't my thread, but good to here someone informing that Moog quality dropped. Its been like 6 years since I did ball joints, on a crown vic, and went moog and quality seemed top notch.

But I'm an amateur.

I appreciate the opinion of someone with a lot experience and no 4th one in the fight. Good unbiased information, and no fanboism.

 

[AGodlyCanuck]

Run whatever you can afford.
Once youve replaced them once its 400% easier anytime after that.

One side took me over 24 hours by myself doing the ball joints, u joints and wheel bearings.
The other side after i did the other took me 3 hours lol

 

[410Fortune]

LOL I know how that goes!! First time there is a big learning curve, other side = benefits.

 

[massacre]

I remember the same thing replacing front brake hoses. Could not get that clip off for the life of me. Once I got the clip off and saw how it worked the other one came right off.

 

[Albino 94LTD]

I second using AC Delco. I'm hard on ball joints but he AC Delco;s have held up better than Moog or Mevotech (used both, that's how many times I've replaced them) Don't even think about Duralast!

 

[massacre]

Thanks for this thread, I think I shall be doing this pretty soon myself.

 

[AGodlyCanuck]

Ball joint press and a 6lb hammer with a small handle. You'll need it.

 

[410Fortune]

AC delco professional grade, the blue and gold ones are pretty good. They sell them under a few names.
Those are the joints I have in my BII and they hold up pretty well.
There was a company in Canada called MAS that was making wicked tough ball joints....I put some in my F350 and was asking about a D35 TTB application....then they got purchased by Dorman.....

 

[massacre]

Ball joint press and a 6lb hammer with a small handle. You'll need it.

Luckily I have both