All,

It's time for me to replace the ball joints on my 2003 3.0 2 WD Ranger so I have been trying to search Ball Joint brand recommendation and have not found what I am looking for, so here is my question to the Forum:

What brand is recommended for quality ball joints for replacement? I have seen and I am very familiar with one of the brands LEMFORDER as I use their suspension products on my BMWs. Another one that comes up often is MOOG and of course there is always Motorcraft. Any insight on the various brands and their longevity, pros and cons would be much appreciated.

Thank You!

 

I used AC Delco when I replaced the lower ball joints, I bought them off of Amazon. That's the part below. They work, I'm happy with them. Replacing them was not fun, pressing the old one out and the new ones in took awhile.

ACDelco 45D2281 Professional Front Lower Suspension Ball Joint Assembly

 

Stick to MOOG, they are a good name brand !

I used the Upper and Lower MOOG Ball Joint A-Arm setups on my 2003 EDGE 4x, with a 4-5" Lift and ssssoooo far, they have been working good.

I think even Motocraft is selling China Part, too bad because most of the parts I have used that were made in China didn't hold up for very long.
Search the Web on American Ball Joint Companies, check where their part come from and where they are assembled... to me that should give you a good starting point.

Buy quality, USA Made Products, assembled in this country and you should be ok.

 

Thank you Texas80 and Scrambler82 for your input. Yes indeed I like to stay away from made in China products as much as I can as the quality is never there.

 

Scrambler82, I took your advise and looked up where MOOG parts are made and I discovered that they are manufactured in 16 different countries, no longer the Golden Years of made in America. So unless one can call a vendor and ask them ahead of time where the part is coming from (showing on the box) one has no clue if ordering online.

 

Moog ain't what they used to be. I went through a few tie rod ends recently.

 

Indeed, it's a shame really. Their name use to mean quality Made in USA, but unfortunately that is no longer the case.

 

I stumbled on a "Heavy Duty Terrain Tough replacement by MEVOTECH" , anyone use their replacement parts with any success or feedback? Thanks!

 

Have you checked an review on their parts ?
I lost... on what parts to use, I know most everything you buy now is Made In China and junk !
Contact MOOG, ask where the exact parts you want are made, they might help you, or as I do sometimes, check the reviews. Does Amazon have the parts you want at a decent price, if so then check their reviews too.

Sorry I can't help, I'm too far out of the loop.

I replaced my Ball Joints with arms, when I did the lift, almost seven years ago, and the Ball Joints aren't haven't any problems, Knock on Wood !

Hard to determine where to go for parts, stick to a suppler that you know will replace them if needed.

Good Luck on the parts search and if you locate a good shop let people know.

Ltr

 

Thanks Scrambler82! :)