D35 Ball Joints - Moog or Duralast?

[Sevensecondsuv]

So at 160,000 miles on my 16 year old explorer it's finally time to do the ball joints. I've been researching options and prices. I'd like to get Moog parts because of their reputation and the fact that it's such a pain to change the things I may as well put the best possible parts in there. On the other hand, autozone sells their duralast brand ball joints that are greasable and have a lifetime warranty, just like the Moog parts, and are cheaper and don't have to be special ordered. I've generally been pretty pleased with duralast quality and am currently running a set of duralast u-joints in my turbo ranger.

Get the Moog parts for about $160 shipped to my door?

or

Get the duralast parts, which are greasable with a lifetime warranty just like Moog, for $110 at the local autozone?

Anyone used the duralast ball joints? Opinions?

 

[Combs Customs]

I've installed both. Use to work at autozone so i got a discount so it was an easy choice. The moog seem to press into the knuckles easier but its still a tight fit. The moog body is splined whereas the duralast is smooth. I went thru a set of duralast joints in just over a year in my explorer, i think 2 lowers failed and i replaced all 4. When i did the 95+ knuckle upgrade, i spent the extra coin for the moog joints, knowing that im going to be beating on it. Also, the moog joints i have ARE greaseable.

 

[GatorBlue92]

one think to keep in mind with the store brand is that they may very well be moog parts with the duralast name on them

 

[Combs Customs]

Autozone are NOT MOOG joints. They are Mcquay-Norris or TRW.

 

[GatorBlue92]

Autozone are NOT MOOG joints. They are Mcquay-Norris or TRW.

i didnt think they were but i did know that the store brand is usually some re-badged name brand product

 

[Ranger44]

Get the MooG.

They are worth the extra $$.

You can definately tell the difference in quality when you place them side by side.

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Ok another question. What about spicer parts? Those would be OEM, correct?

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Yeah I know about the u-joint. I'm wondering about ball joints. I ask because rockauto has the moogs for $33.79 a piece or the spicer professional series for &$27.79 a piece...

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Well I just ordered up the spicer parts from rockauto.com. They are the professional grade ones and are greasable. My buddy jumped in on the order to get the same parts for his 97 grand marquis so we shared shipping. My total was $124 shipped - pretty close to autozone when you add tax.

I'm thinking the spicer pro grade parts will definately be higher quality than the autozone stuff.

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Now I just need to get a set of u-joints and spindle bearings.

 

[4x4junkie]

Well I just ordered up the spicer parts from rockauto.com. They are the professional grade ones and are greasable.

You did good.

Moog joints are OK, but the grease boots suck. Spicer = much better.

 

[Evan]

The most important thing is to get a greasable joint. Provided the joint is decent quality, it will last a LONG time if you keep it greased.

 

[Ranger44]

You did good.

Moog joints are OK, but the grease boots suck. Spicer = much better.

Really? Hmm may have to look into the spicer parts.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

i know what you mean about the moog boots sucking, but its not actually the boot that sucks. its the fact that moog doesnt press the boot onto the joint and they make you try to press it on yourself. they use a little metal band impregnated into the rubber of the boot which helps it resist poping off and leaking grease, but if you dont press it onto the joint all the way then it does no good.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

i also dont agree with all this lifetime warranty b.s. auto parts stores all try to lure you in with cheap prices and "lifetime warranty" parts but if the part was good enough to last a lifetime then why does it need a warranty? i think the price says it all. if you buy a moog you know youre getting a high quality part because you just payed for it and because they stand behind their product federal mogul gives you a life time warranty. now most of the duralast or other discount parts offer a lifetime warranty but it is purely based on store policy and it is used to try to persuade you to buy that part for the warranty rather than the quality. if these stores had to pay the labor rates on said warranty parts i can guarantee they wouldnt have these warranties. ok rant over.