Loose Moog Ball Joints

[Steeda90GT]

The cost of MOOG is outrageous. I have a '97 Cougar that I know I'm going to need to replace all four. On it you have to replace both hte upper & lower controll arms. I can get Motorcraft cheaper than MOOG.

...and the Motorcraft stuff will outlast the Moog garbage by at least double the time.

 

[beach]

I don't know why so many people praise Moog, their stuff is a pos for the price. Motocraft is better, even Raybestos parts that are way cheaper are better etc, I went with them for front suspension rebuild. Thats why I didnt bother with Moog as i know others that had trouble with their parts whether installed by themselves or shops.

 

[BK_89iX]

Before I bought my suspension parts I tried to do my research - most of it here. Almost without exception the Moog stuff was put forth as the best available and pretty much the only stuff to use. I'm shocked to hear these reports about inferior Moog parts. I really hate installing sub-par stuff - BTDT with other euro vehicles and learned my lessons early. I'm very happy to pay a premium for the best available. Now I've got a box full of Moog for a complete front-end rebuild and I'm kicking myself about my choices! Anyway, glad to hear folks speaking up about their experiences and recommendations....

BK

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Before I bought my suspension parts I tried to do my research - most of it here. Almost without exception the Moog stuff was put forth as the best available and pretty much the only stuff to use. I'm shocked to hear these reports about inferior Moog parts. I really hate installing sub-par stuff - BTDT with other euro vehicles and learned my lessons early. I'm very happy to pay a premium for the best available. Now I've got a box full of Moog for a complete front-end rebuild and I'm kicking myself about my choices! Anyway, glad to hear folks speaking up about their experiences and recommendations....

BK

x2. Everything I read was Moog was Best. Replaced lower Ballojoints with Moog last summer. Currently have a box of Moof upper control arms, tire rod ends, and camber bolts ready for install this summer. What I am reading I am not liking. And if I remember correctly the lower ball joints were made in mexico as posted. For the amount of work, would muh rather spend ten bucks more etc for a better part. Not like I want to do the work again. Alignments are not cheap and not someting I can do myself.

 

[BK_89iX]

FWIW, many folks would say in this modern global economy that the country of origin makes no difference. I tend to agree if the organization and its QC is top-notch. I just checked my stash of upper control arms, eccentrics, lower ball joints, outer tierod ends and innter tierods - all Moog brand. All parts were labeled Made In the USA except for the most recently acquired inner tierods - made in Mexico. But I'm with grnmachine...my preference is for the "good stuff" whenever possible....

BK

 

[410Fortune]

well about 5 years ago Moog still was the best.. so many of us stuck with them... then got burned, i even went with a second set just thinking it was a fluke the first set went out after one wheeling season... finally after all four of those ball joints lasted half a year I did some research, the solution came from Camburg

 

[Clutchless1995]

I have a new in the box Ford OEM upper control arm (driver side) with a grease fitting that I got off ebay for $30 a couple years ago. I had to install the boot, but without my glasses, did not see the writing and put it on facing the wrong direction. There is a little indent on the top. I do not want to attempt to remove and replace the cover as it will probably get torn. I have not installed it yet. Will this make any difference? Are new boots available?

My other question is I installed cheapo Dorman upper arms 18 months ago and the boot already has torn on the driver side in less than 10,000 miles. I shot grease into the ball joint, and it is still tight. I plan to install the Ford arm, I was thinking it may be wise to get a one piece Raybestos professional grade arm with a grease fitting for the passenger side, what do you guys think?

 

[jay3253]

Has anyone used NAPA brand name parts? I am looking for front end parts and They even sell a complete lower control arm with ball joints. I just wanted to get some in put from everyone the guy at NAPA said he used to work for Moog and said he thought they were the bast until he say the NAPA parts (I call BS on him) but the way they are built they look very stout could someone give me some advice here don't want to do this 3 or 4 times.

Moog makes VERY good VW parts!

 

[96eb96]

Has anyone used NAPA brand name parts? I am looking for front end parts and They even sell a complete lower control arm with ball joints. I just wanted to get some in put from everyone the guy at NAPA said he used to work for Moog and said he thought they were the bast until he say the NAPA parts (I call BS on him) but the way they are built they look very stout could someone give me some advice here don't want to do this 3 or 4 times.

Moog makes VERY good VW parts!

Napa Re badges Raybesots parts. They have two levels (service and professional grade). The expensive NAPA parts(I know the cheap ones are NAPA MRC - Master Ride Chasis; the Expensive NCP Napa Chasis ) are probably pretty good.

 

[RickOTR]

Don't know why everyone is so down on Moog ball joints. I've had two sets of them in my explorer each one lasting at least 120K miles or more. I think it depends on what kind of suspension you are running... i.e.larger tires, big lift, or if you do a lots of off-roading. I do have to say however, there dust boots are low grade. I always use energy suspension boots in place of Moogs.

 

[410Fortune]

so you buy moog ball joints then ditch tthe boot and run energy? hmmm

I wont buy Moog anymore for any application, but I am sure they work great for some

 

[Clutchless1995]

I did not see an Energy Suspension ball joint dust boot listing for the 95 and up Explorer in their catalog, only tie rod ends. What universal size would fit?

 

[RickOTR]

I did not see an Energy Suspension ball joint dust boot listing for the 95 and up Explorer in their catalog, only tie rod ends. What universal size would fit?

Dust Boots from a Mustang GT will work for the Explorer.

 

[Clutchless1995]

What years Mustang GT fit? I looked at the ES catalog in PDF and think it is the one sized 9.13130.

 

[inh]

Anyone got a part number for the McQuay-Norris extreme duties? I looked on Napa's site, and their brand of balljoint LOOKS like the M-N extreme duty, but who knows.

http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Detail.aspx?R=NCP2601460_0270362850

 

[joe doe]

i replaced the lower ball joints twice now in 3 years .the first time i went with some cheap ball joints .whatever advance auto had i forget the name .
they lasted 2 years ,if that and they were loose as heck.
now i replaced them with moog ball joints last year .we will see how long they last .

the first set would walk out the arms ,they had to be welded in .the moogs didnt need welding.

this is in my 2000 sport.133,000