Well after 124,000 miles of brutal abuse I finally got a ball joint to fail. Upper left was the one that went. After what I have put the truck through I know the stock ball joints are stout. Now my question is what has everyone been replacing there ball joints with when they fail, Moog, TRW...??? Also, while I am in there replacing the upper and lower ball joints what else should I be looking at replacing especially with my millage?

TIA,
Bentley

MOOG.........I just replace both Top Joints!

Be sure to ck the Pitman and Idler arm!

MOOG.........I just replace both Top Joints!

Be sure to ck the Pitman and Idler arm!


x2

MOOG is the only that you want to deal with. Make SURE the part comes in the blue and yellow box and it says 'MOOG' on it. Most of the local parts stores around here try to pass off the Federal Mogal junk as being Moog because they share the same part numbers.

Be sure to ck the Pitman and Idler arm!

They are good as new, IDK why but my front end is in remarkable shape for my milage!

Seems MOOG is the trend here, is it like the GMC/Chevy to Ford?

TIA,
Bentley

MOOG is the only that you want to deal with. Make SURE the part comes in the blue and yellow box and it says 'MOOG' on it. Most of the local parts stores around here try to pass off the Federal Mogal junk as being Moog because they share the same part numbers.

MOOG parts are what I use and wouldn't buy anything else. :rolleyes: Federal-Mogul owns MOOG, I am employed by Federal-Mogul. Feel free to check the website for clarification.

Seems MOOG is the trend here, is it like the GMC/Chevy to Ford?

TIA,
Bentley

Personally, I think Moog is overrated. I use Spicer chassis and they are every bit as good as Moog, If not better.

Does TRW make ball joints for these trucks?

Why not replace with GM parts? You'll be good for another 124K...

Why not replace with GM parts? You'll be good for another 124K...

Well that is always the fall back. But if there are better parts out there I would like to install them on the truck. Front wheel bearings and injectors are good examples of OEM replacements that cannot be substituted. 80,000 miles on the replacement AC Delco wheel bearings and 65,000 miles on the injectors. Both are still kicking as good as new. As far as I am concerned this is going to be a bit of testing, I am looking at getting some "HD" ball joints right now so we will see how HD they are.

On a side note, I think this ball joint would have lasted longer if the boot had not broken 60,000 miles ago...

Bentley

Oh and the truck has 126,000 on it now...

Bentley

MOOG parts are what I use and wouldn't buy anything else. :rolleyes: Federal-Mogul owns MOOG, I am employed by Federal-Mogul. Feel free to check the website for clarification.
So!? I work for Chrysler and buy GM, Heeh!

Reguarding the question about using a GM part and MOOg being over rated? I just personally feel that MOOG has made a good name for itself within the service industry when the release the 'problem solver' series of replacement parts. The 'problem solver' series of parts do just that- they fix a bad OEM design. No other component manufacturer besides Ingalls engineering makes parts that are better than OE.

Reguarding the question about using a GM part and MOOg being over rated? I just personally feel that MOOG has made a good name for itself within the service industry when the release the 'problem solver' series of replacement parts. The 'problem solver' series of parts do just that- they fix a bad OEM design. No other component manufacturer besides Ingalls engineering makes parts that are better than OE.

Well, Spicer makes parts that are much better than OEM as well. I've used both Spicer and Moog Problem Solvers over the years and from my experience I've had much better luck with the Spicer, they have taken more abuse and lasted longer than the Moog. That's not to say Moog is not a quality product it's just that in my experience using both products, the Spicer has been the better part. I originally used Moog exclusively for all my vehicles and their parts were much better than the OEM stuff, but IMHO still wasn't getting the longevity that I was hoping for. That all changed when I switched to Spicer.

I don't want to start a flame war here (in fact, I have no experience with MOOG or Spicer), but what do you do with your vehicles? Just wondering if MOOG is good for some applications or environments, and Spicer for others.

On edit, I should have stated that this was directed to Aprilwine, but other inputs are welcome as well.

Thanks,

Joseph

I don't want to start a flame war here (in fact, I have no experience with MOOG or Spicer), but what do you do with your vehicles? Just wondering if MOOG is good for some applications or environments, and Spicer for others.

On edit, I should have stated that this was directed to Aprilwine, but other inputs are welcome as well.

Thanks,

Joseph

Well, to make along story short I have owned a lot of vehicles, mostly trucks and have replaced a lot of steering and suspension parts using both Moog and Spicer. I found that the Spicer parts lasted longer than the Moog. I'm not saying Moog is crap and Spicer is the best, I have had better luck with Spicer. They are IMHO made more durable than the Moog. I was only trying offer some information and let people know that there are other supension/steering parts that are as good, if not better IMHO than Moog. Moog isn't, contrary to popular belief, the be all, end all, in suspension parts. There are other good options. :sorrysign about my :rant::beerchug:

Well, to make along story short I have owned a lot of vehicles, mostly trucks and have replaced a lot of steering and suspension parts using both Moog and Spicer. I found that the Spicer parts lasted longer than the Moog. I'm not saying Moog is crap and Spicer is the best, I have had better luck with Spicer. They are IMHO made more durable than the Moog. I was only trying offer some information and let people know that there are other supension/steering parts that are as good, if not better IMHO than Moog. Moog isn't, contrary to popular belief, the be all, end all, in suspension parts. There are other good options. :sorrysign about my :rant::beerchug:

so do as i did and mix and match and have the best of both world's lol

so do as i did and mix and match and have the best of both world's lol

You're right about that. I forgot to add in my above post that I used Moog exclusively in my various cars and they worked great but I found that the Spicer were more durable and longer lasting in my trucks.

Alright guys, talked to a tech at my dealer today and he said that the Ball Joints cannot be replaced... You have to replace the upper and lower control arms because of the way the Ball Joints are in there?

Anyone have any ideas?

The dealer must use factory parts to fix the vehicle. There is not a factory ball joint available only a full upper control arm about $200 ea. That is why the dealer doesn't have a ball joint listed as being replaceable.. P.S. Moog has always been great for me

Yes, TRW makes ball joints for the 2500HD.

I don't think I've ever used MOOG, though I have used Federal Mogul without a problem.

I use Spicer for my heavy-abuse situations. I've never had a Spicer part fail.

Local shop here has seen the factory joints go at 60k. I'm at 90k and have other work to do. They advised me to replace them while in there.

I haven't seen anyone talk about heavy-duty replacements. I found that McQuay-Norris makes an Extreme series replacement ball joint for these trucks.

The ball joints are pressed in, so you need the proper tools.

The dealer must use factory parts to fix the vehicle. There is not a factory ball joint available only a full upper control arm about $200 ea. That is why the dealer doesn't have a ball joint listed as being replaceable.. P.S. Moog has always been great for me

At $200 each, why would you just get the Cognito UCA? They come with the new ball joints for the upper and they are bolt in.

I found that the Spicer were more durable and longer lasting in my trucks.

That's why i used there tierod's and u joint's they just looked beefier and found good review's and were cheaper to boot than moog. But couldnt find alot info on there ball joint's so went with moog ball joint's and these were cheaper than spicer joint's

But couldnt find alot info on there ball joint's so went with moog ball joint's and these were cheaper than spicer joint's

Spicer Ball joints are sold through NAPA. All the Spicer chassis part numbers at NAPA start with NCP.

Personally, I think Moog is overrated. I use Spicer chassis and they are every bit as good as Moog, If not better.

Spicers (napa) are better for aftermarket (bolt in) uppers for sure. I have tried both. There are some pics up on the forum showing the difference. I have also had issues with Moog pitman arms so i cant say that they are the best.

i always kept mine well greased. Finally had to do my passenger side upper ball joint at a 158,000 miles on my 2004, went smoothly. i think as long as installed properly and the boots don't break or crack, just keep them greased you shouldn't have a problem getting good mileage out of any brand.

I've read the postings from you guys,so can i just press out the upper and lower ball joints without replacing both upper and lower control arms.

Yeah you can rent a ball joint press from Shuck's or Auto Zone. Took me about and hour and a half to do the upper ball joints.

Yeah you can rent a ball joint press from Shuck's or Auto Zone. Took me about and hour and a half to do the upper ball joints.

Isn't Schuck's now O'Reillys. I haven't seen a Schuck's for awhile.

Yeah it is... but to me its still shucks

check out this link
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418474&highlight=

haven't tried them yet but XRF seem to be a more HD option.