Steering and Suspension Parts

[V8]

It appears to be time for yet another round of ball joints for my '01 'Sploder. I'm really tired of Moogs lack of quality rubber boots and don't want to buy anything more from them. What are your go-to steering and suspension parts manufacturers? I'd buy Motorcraft without hesitation but they don't seem to want to manufacture parts for 20+ year old SUVs for some reason.

Thanks!

I found it!!! I thought it was the threads OP but was mistaken. Post #9 has the best info so far. Torn ball joint boots

 

[wollimann]

Yes the Moog rubber quality is not the best. Espacialy the tie rod boots rip off quickly
cause they are rubbing on the brake dust shield. The shields have holes at this point
but these holes are too small, increasing the hole size could reduce the rubber wear.
Maybe give Mevotech TTX series a try.

lower ball joint

More Information for MEVOTECH TXK8695T

outer tie rod end

More Information for MEVOTECH TXES3461

upper control arm left

More Information for MEVOTECH CTXK8708T

upper control arm right

More Information for MEVOTECH CTXK80068

 

[Fordtruckfan89]

I just recently replaced all my steering TREs and my ball joints with motorcraft stuff. It's all still available, either from Ford parts giant or eBay.

 

[V8]

Thank you! I'll get to doing my research there.

 

[J_C]

How long ago did you get the moog BJs? When I replaced my lower BJs about 7 years back, they'd changed to a different recessed rubber design. So far they seem to be holding up.

 

[V8]

The lowers and the upper LT are less than 4 years old, the upper right is less than a year old, and the one before it was less than two years old. They seem to last about a year and a half before the boots start breaking down. The LT side upper and lower boots are showing surface cracks now too. One of the upper ball joints I bought a year and a half ago had the boot in a separate bag and it had already broken into small pieces while still sealed in the bag. I returned it. I now keep a spare upper on hand, and am probably going to just replace both sides to hopefully distance myself from the issue.

 

[amj441]

The lowers and the upper LT are less than 4 years old, the upper right is less than a year old, and the one before it was less than two years old. They seem to last about a year and a half before the boots start breaking down. The LT side upper and lower boots are showing surface cracks now too. One of the upper ball joints I bought a year and a half ago had the boot in a separate bag and it had already broken into small pieces while still sealed in the bag. I returned it. I now keep a spare upper on hand, and am probably going to just replace both sides to hopefully distance myself from the issue.

Glad im not the only one experiencing this. it seems like no matter what I did the moog stuff would just start leaking and tearing.

 

[C420sailor]

The recessed design Moog lowers are solid. I’m a fan.

Their uppers are still the original design, last I checked. AWFUL. The boots tear constantly, and Moog doesn’t offer replacement boots. I analyzed a few after they tore, and the rubber boot material is paper thin on the failed ones.

 

[V8]

There's a thread somewhere on here where the OP went looking for, and finally located a source for replacement boots for the Moogs. Moog themselves were no help at all. I received my Mevotechs the other day but I still have one new Moog upper I'd like to use, but I won't do it if I can't replace the boot before installing.

 

[410Fortune]

Moogs back and forth over the years on quality
I hear they are making another push to be great again… but with all the issue with their boots,
Well I try not to buy Moog anything
Sometimes they are the best choice
But not here

The best you can run is Dana spicer motorcraft
Can get them on rockauto

Next up is Dorman RD lower ball joints. They are made for Dorman by a Canadian company called MAS
These are truly heavy duty ball joints
I run them on my big trucks and explorers
They only sell the lower for our rigs right now

Mevotex ttx were ok but like Moog I had failures way earlier then they should have

Dana spicer for the win
Dorman RD is a good ball joint also and good price

2000 FORD EXPLORER 5.0L V8 Ball Joint | Shop Now at RockAuto

Suspension Parts and More for Your 2000 FORD EXPLORER at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

www.rockauto.com

See it is the only lower ball joint listed as heavy duty

Here are the motorcraft upper control arms at rockauto

2000 FORD EXPLORER 5.0L V8 Control Arm | Shop Now at RockAuto

Suspension Parts and More for Your 2000 FORD EXPLORER at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

www.rockauto.com

 

[V8]

My lower ball joint needs to be .006 OS. I didn't see much for options there.

How long ago did you get the moog BJs? When I replaced my lower BJs about 7 years back, they'd changed to a different recessed rubber design. So far they seem to be holding up.


View attachment 461188

Strange.... Moogs online catalog only shows the original boot design available. I've had enough of them.

 

[V8]

Moogs back and forth over the years on quality
I hear they are making another push to be great again… but with all the issue with their boots,
Well I try not to buy Moog anything
Sometimes they are the best choice
But not here

The best you can run is Dana spicer motorcraft
Can get them on rockauto

Next up is Dorman RD lower ball joints. They are made for Dorman by a Canadian company called MAS
These are truly heavy duty ball joints
I run them on my big trucks and explorers
They only sell the lower for our rigs right now

Mevotex ttx were ok but like Moog I had failures way earlier then they should have

Dana spicer for the win
Dorman RD is a good ball joint also and good price

2000 FORD EXPLORER 5.0L V8 Ball Joint | Shop Now at RockAuto

Suspension Parts and More for Your 2000 FORD EXPLORER at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

www.rockauto.com

See it is the only lower ball joint listed as heavy duty

Here are the motorcraft upper control arms at rockauto

2000 FORD EXPLORER 5.0L V8 Control Arm | Shop Now at RockAuto

Suspension Parts and More for Your 2000 FORD EXPLORER at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

www.rockauto.com

I need the .006 OS lowers. The options are really limited for them, and Motorcraft lists nothing for them. I didn't see any Dana/Spicer ball joints listed in any catalog either. Lots of axle stuff, but not what I need.