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6/15/2020 7:44 PM  #1


Lower ball joints vs lower control arms

Ok, I’m a little annoyed but anyway my lower ball joints are shot. Drivers side has 1/4” movement. Passenger not as bad but shot. I replaced the complete arms about 8-9 years ago but probably only 2000 miles, long story.

What brand ball joint do any of you have experience with, I would typically use Moog, but they no longer have the lower and only appear to have the upper in the economy ones. Part of the problem is I believe the grease boots split on the others almost instantly, so I doubt they ever held grease.

I know price wise I can just buy new complete arms, but I would rather build them myself with quality parts,I may box the bottom of the arms as well, any opinions on that as well.

Thanks

 

6/15/2020 7:56 PM  #2


Re: Lower ball joints vs lower control arms

Moog butt..........
Try NAPA. They claim to have "better" stuff than the other guyz. (Did you know NAPA gives a 10% discount if you have  Triple A or AARP...can't remember which. Axe'em)
Try putting grease in the cup BEFORE you install them?!  You are a cat that greezes his own car? Right? Unless racing I would think boxing the lower arms aren't necessary Butt.........if you like to weld, why not?!
6sal6


Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
 

6/15/2020 9:08 PM  #3


Re: Lower ball joints vs lower control arms

Go to open tracker.com
They have limited stock of moog lower ball joints for 65-66 mustangs.

 

6/15/2020 9:46 PM  #4


Re: Lower ball joints vs lower control arms

Sorta related ... I hear Moog are no longer doing control arms. If you come across any, you should probably buy them for future use.
Could be why ball joints seem to be getting scarce.

Last edited by 50vert (6/15/2020 9:57 PM)


"Those telephone poles were like a picket fence"
 

6/16/2020 5:27 AM  #5


Re: Lower ball joints vs lower control arms

NAPA lifetime are indeed good balljoints.  The stock lowers on my F250 were shot at about 25k miles.  I replaced them with NAPA and they lasted to 120k, I just put another set in at 210k, and the best part is I paid for only one set.  That truck basically torture tests balljoints.  IMO it really should have kingpins because its just too heavy, so getting 90k from balljoints in it is pretty good.  In a car application I doubt they would ever wear out if kept greased. 

 

6/16/2020 7:19 AM  #6


Re: Lower ball joints vs lower control arms

50vert wrote:

Sorta related ... I hear Moog are no longer doing control arms. If you come across any, you should probably buy them for future use.
Could be why ball joints seem to be getting scarce.

NPD still lists the Moog lower control arms - or did a month ago.  I bought a set.
 


Founding Member of the Perpetually Bewildered Society
 

6/16/2020 8:44 AM  #7


Re: Lower ball joints vs lower control arms

I went with the NAPA Premium Grade arms with Ball Joints and Bushings, with AAA discount they were $65 each and free next day shipping.

MOOG seems to just offer the R-series parts for the stang winch is their economy brand, 3 year warranty vs lifetime, and I thats what i have on it now.

Fingers crossed,

     Thread Starter
 

6/16/2020 9:01 AM  #8


Re: Lower ball joints vs lower control arms

TKO, I question whether truck ball joints of a particular brand are even relatable to the early Mustang design as far as quality. Might be, but still questionable comparison in my mind.  I do agree NAPA probably better than Other inferior stuff.  But, most stuff I have seen there is simply some other brand in a NAPA box. 

Ok, back to original question.  Do the ball joints have that much slop (wear) or are you simply depressing the internal spring that holds the ball tight in the socket?   Remember the old trick mechanics used to sell you new ball joints?   They stuck huge channel-locks on the joint and compressed the spring, showing the customer how much vertical movement they had.   Remember, the lower joints actually do not support the weight of the car. That is the upper joint’s job.

Ten years of intermittent use by a caring owner that keeps them greased is unlikely to wear out a set of lower joints.  Unless they were those PRO brand that unfortunately hit the market when reproduction parts started hitting the market.   Those were unsuitable for use the day they were installed.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

6/16/2020 10:01 AM  #9


Re: Lower ball joints vs lower control arms

Yea, these are defiantly worn out, I can have someone move the bottom of the tire in and out and watch the movement, and I think the rubber boots were split for years by all the grease that I cleaned up. What ever brand these are (came on the arm in a kit) they don't look like much. 

     Thread Starter
 

6/16/2020 1:44 PM  #10


Re: Lower ball joints vs lower control arms

Sounds like their time is up!


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

6/16/2020 3:24 PM  #11


Re: Lower ball joints vs lower control arms

MS wrote:

TKO, I question whether truck ball joints of a particular brand are even relatable to the early Mustang design as far as quality. Might be, but still questionable comparison in my mind. I do agree NAPA probably better than Other inferior stuff. But, most stuff I have seen there is simply some other brand in a NAPA box.

Ok, back to original question. Do the ball joints have that much slop (wear) or are you simply depressing the internal spring that holds the ball tight in the socket? Remember the old trick mechanics used to sell you new ball joints? They stuck huge channel-locks on the joint and compressed the spring, showing the customer how much vertical movement they had. Remember, the lower joints actually do not support the weight of the car. That is the upper joint’s job.

Ten years of intermittent use by a caring owner that keeps them greased is unlikely to wear out a set of lower joints. Unless they were those PRO brand that unfortunately hit the market when reproduction parts started hitting the market. Those were unsuitable for use the day they were installed.

The top end lifetime stuff from NAPA is built under contract by DANA regardless of application.  The lower end stuff is Master Ride built under contract by McQuay-Norris.  I only use/recommend the lifetime stuff. 
 

 

Board footera


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