Nicer stuff worth the $$?

[dmw319]

So I am doing a front disc conversion currently in my truck and am going to have to replace the lower ball joints as well as the inner and outer tie rod ends. Pricing out Duralast parts for the above mentioned it would cost ~$70 from Autozone. The same parts from ECE would cost ~$160. I know they would be much nicer parts and last longer but I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with using one or either of these and could say if its worth the money in the long run. I could afford it, and I am a firm believer in "do it once, do it right" but at the same time I'm not looking for a show truck, just weekend driver. What do y'all think? Help me decide!
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[bk2life]

do it, autozone stuff is fine.

[CSGAS]

Compare some of the prices Autozone displays for Moog parts, that probably comes very close to ECE's total and you'd still have them at worst in one business day. Also find out who actually produces the Duralast parts for Autozone--it may be Moog! (but with rubber boots instead of poly) Moog also has two lines--a basic one and one with a porous metal structure to spread the grease you put in, throughout the ball joint.

[dmw319]

Originally Posted by CSGAS

Compare some of the prices Autozone displays for Moog parts, that probably comes very close to ECE's total and you'd still have them at worst in one business day. Also find out who actually produces the Duralast parts for Autozone--it may be Moog! (but with rubber boots instead of poly) Moog also has two lines--a basic one and one with a porous metal structure to spread the grease you put in, throughout the ball joint.

autozone only seems to display one brand (seems to be durlast, but unsure who makes it or how to find out).

where does everyone else usually get their parts like this? wheres the best (price wise) place to buy moog?

[dmw319]

Found Moog parts at Oreillys and total is $141. About the same as ECE maybe a little cheaper. I guess price wise there isnt a HUGE difference between all these. Just curious what others have done that have been in my shoes

[hyatt]

Buy the moog The autozone store brand stuff is usually a little less quality

[dougf]

I recently went through this, researching Autozones Duralast vs Oreilly's MasterPro because I didnt have the money for Moog parts. Results and opinions vary greatly. I went with MasterPro ball joints and tie rod ends. The parts seem to be well made, the boots seem to be good quality also. They pressed into my control arms and took my grease, so we will have to wait and see, but im not worried, they seemed to not be complete junk.

[67swb72klb]

check rock auto sometimes they are hard to beat even with shiping and some auto parts stores will match prices

[N2TRUX]

Search for posts by Tx Firefighter. He has mentioned several times where he buys his suspension parts from. Its a combo of sources that offer the best deal on quality products.

[zook]

just bought upper/lower ball joints. New moog off ebay with free ship for $96. still usa made.
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[Tx Firefighter]

For every person out there who says parts store brand suspension pieces are as good as Moog, I have a couple of pictures.

Compare these two. The Moog is the bigger one. Same part, same application. The Moog simply is built heavier. A lot damn heavier. Moog calls their stuff "Problem Solver" for a reason. They identify suspension parts that need to be beefed up and make theirs stronger than the original ones or parts store cheapies ever were.





Money well spent in my eyes. If it ain't in the blue and yellow box, I don't buy it.

The way to shop for the skinniest deal is to go to O Reilly Auto parts website and look up your parts. Then cut the Moog part number and open a new tab on your computer internet browser and do a google search for the part number. Usually if you shop Amazon.com and RockAuto.com and Summit Racing, you can cut the prices down pretty slim compared to the parts stores. I have a shop account and get jobber prices at O Reilly, but even that can't touch the big 3 I mentioned above.

[andrewmp6]

I'm with everyone on here i stick to moog parts,I have tried cheaper parts before and wasn't happy with what i got in the end.

[LEEVON]

x2 on Rockauto. Ask yourself how much fun it is to replace ball joints and if the extra dollars are worth it. I've put in cheaper suspension stuff on a short term vehicle and still regretted it.

[dmw319]

Thanks yall this is really helpful info! I ended up doing what you said TxFireFighter and checked the moog parts numbers from Oreillys and they were ~%50 cheaper on amazon. So I purchased all 4 ball joints for $73 on amazon!

[Tx Firefighter]

I don't know about you fellas, but my wife orders from Amazon all the time for various stuff so she's a "prime" member. It costs her 70 dollars per year for that, but she gets free 2 day shipping on anything sold by Amazon. Needless to say, I have her order my stuff when I shop Amazon. With their skinny prices and free shipping, it's a real savings.
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[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

x2 on Rockauto. Ask yourself how much fun it is to replace ball joints and if the extra dollars are worth it. I've put in cheaper suspension stuff on a short term vehicle and still regretted it.

I replaced my entire suspension when I did my disc brake swap a few years ago. I used all Advance Auto stuff. I had to replace ALL of it less than a year later. It all had a lifetime warranty, so I had it all replaced with replacements parts, most of which, still needed replaced shortly after also. The third time around I ordered all Moog stuff. That was about 10 years ago.

Originally Posted by dmw319

Thanks yall this is really helpful info! I ended up doing what you said TxFireFighter and checked the moog parts numbers from Oreillys and they were ~%50 cheaper on amazon. So I purchased all 4 ball joints for $73 on amazon!

I'm glad to hear you took our advice. As I just mentioned, I had to spend on labor 3 times, then ended up buying all good stuff anyway, so it cost me a whole more in the long run to save a few bucks the first time.

[andrewmp6]

Years ago i fell for the lifetime warranty on brake rotors and pads after changing them out a few times i bought better ones,It was day and night in stopping power and they lasted me years longer then the cheapos i had on before.

[Desert.Chevy]

Good info, I will have to remember this for when I need it.
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[zook]

as with some descriptions say: let the photos speak for themselves. i see it loud and clear. moog is my drivin force. my truck needed the joints and was glad i got them. thank you for the photos

[CC69Rat]

Amazon kicks major a55. They are less than 10 miles from my house. I can place an order in the am, and it's on my doorstep when I get home. Same day,,

I absolutely agree, Moog all the way. If you have ever replaced / pressed a lower balljoint in, .. would you do it for someone else for $20 bucks? Just kinda my thinking on it.