Thread: Ball Joint Options

I haven't pulled them off the car yet. I just got back in town from being gone for a month so time has not been on my side lately. However, I am speculating that the ball joints are already shot. The reason I say this, is I have a brand new steering rack so that issue is out, when I go to accelerate, my car will slightly swerve to the left like something is shifting.

Im 99% its the ball joints. The bushings are rubber and thus not up to par for my standards. Like I mentioned before, I have my original arms that came off the car that are going back on with ES bushings and the raybestos premium ball joint already pressed in. Just need to get some time to do it.

Found some info on the Raybestos. Formerly Dana Spicer.
Raybestos Brakes - News - NewsArticle

Thought that might be the case, but couldn't find a reference, so I wasn't 100%.

Picked up the 555s. They look pretty good. Much better than the chinese made ball joints that NAPA carries.

Blair are the control arms alone any good ?

Federal Mogul makes the Autozone joints. I think FRW, and Moog are one in the same. But a lot of the autozone parts have something like that stamped on them.

No real horror stories from the cheaper joints, they aren't like the ones that autozone sold many years ago. The only real complaint I have is with the tie rod ends that don't have fixed boots. They rub against the steering knuckle and eventually tear when you beat on the car.

Honestly, they looked like OEM re-manned units. I wouldn't be surprised that they were. If you need a spare set to put good bushings and ball joints on, I'd pick them up. Just beware that mine didn't even last 20k, so I wouldn't use the stuff they come with.

Thats what I had in mind to use just the control arm itself and junk the ball joint and bushings .

Coheed has a good point on the non fixed rubber shield they wear and get dirt in them and go to hell fast as the tierod is brought upwards at a extreme angle when the car is lowerd causing them to deform .

Yeah, I just bought some ES urethane dust covers for my tie rod ends. I slipped them on and lightly coated with some lubricant to prevent them from tearing. I haven't had any issues in about 30K miles.

LOL must be talking about US1 in South Florida.