Front suspension - bushings, control arms, ball joints

[theskle]

I am trying to get my 2000 2WD Ranger to a point where I can depend on it, with plans to replace other components in the future.

I failed my inspection for too much play in my upper left control arm bushings, and now that I've taken a closer look I probably ought to replace the upper and lower bushings on both sides. One of the ball joint boots is cracked, too.

If the ball joint feels smooth/clean/firm in its socket once I've got the control arm out, can I just order a new boot? I see lots of boots online, but I have no idea which one I would buy unless it's just a matter of taking measurements and picking something that looks about right.

From what I've read, it's easier to just swap out the whole control arm rather than fight with bushings...but if the ball joints all turn out to be healthy, it seems like a pretty big gamble to buy all new aftermarket bushing/control arm/ball joint assemblies, not to mention just replacing bushings will be much cheaper. The control arms themselves are in great shape with just a bit of surface rust.

There are a million different brands, too, so I don't know who I can trust to have quality parts. Moog is supposedly fantastic, or else they've gone downhill. Mevotech is either just as good as the original or they're garbage. ACDelco, same. Everybody, tons of reviews at both ends of the spectrum. I HATE brand shopping.

 

[pentode]

My 2 cents, discounted as I've never done the control arm bushings on my 2WD Ranger (but I have on other cars), would be that if you have enough tools to install them, I'd just do the bushings. A tech who works on Rangers often will be able to say how hard they are to install (some cars are a nightmare, others not so bad especially if you have a press and/or a bushing install kit). My philosophy is why replace good factory parts? Plus, going to what you said about brands, the only thing worse than a crappy bushing is a crappy bushing in a crappy knockoff control arm.

Totally get where you're coming from on brands and parts quality, there are so many recognizable names that have been bought out or had their production moved overseas it's impossible to keep track. Here's my take on that- pick a name you recognize as most recently having a decent reputation whose part is a reasonable price, then install it knowing that you might be doing that job again in a couple years, but treat it as a learning experience. Learning who not to buy from next time.

Every single part I buy off rock auto I prepare myself mentally for doing the job twice - and it's been a while since I had to. I've bought Moog, Mevotech, Delphi, Centric and other suspension parts in the past year and they've all been basically fine.

 

[theskle]

Yeah...I guess I just have to pick something and hope. That's what I've done with all of my other parts so far. I'm going to pull the control arms off and give them a nice, thorough examination before deciding on a course of action. I really, really hope I can just do bushings and some new boots. Assuming the boots are replaceable. Surely they are.

 

[SenorNoob]

One thing to keep in mind is specific part number. Moog has at least 2 (maybe 4) different lower ball joins just for my application. One of them might be great, 2 middling, and one trash. It get seven more so when comparing to reviews of a brand for completely different application. I tend to pay and pray myself.

 

[pentode]

One thing to keep in mind is specific part number. Moog has at least 2 (maybe 4) different lower ball joins just for my application. One of them might be great, 2 middling, and one trash. It get seven more so when comparing to reviews of a brand for completely different application. I tend to pay and pray myself.

I have fairly distinct memories of Eric O at South Main Auto talking about Mevotech components in one of his videos - my recollection is that he said that the parts with green boots (TTX maybe?) were great and he never had a problem with them and that all their other lines were junk. Wish I could remember which vehicle that was.

At any rate it's true that all the big brands make some decent parts and some iffy ones.