I'm curious about some of these ball-joints that are non-oem, such as the McQuay Norris ones sold by suspension restoration. They are atleast half the cost, just curious about quality.

Do NOT reply and say "Don't cheap out, buy OEM" when chances are you've never replaced one. I'm looking for people who have had good/bad experiences with non-honda pieces.

Sean

 

I had jobber ones last me, maybe, 2 years.
I replaced them with new OEM ones from Honda, and it was like I added power steering.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by clsmooth &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I had jobber ones last me, maybe, 2 years.
I replaced them with new OEM ones from Honda, and it was like I added power steering. </TD></TR></TABLE>

You had all 3rd party, or just specific balljoints? It would seem to me that a balljoint would be a balljoint. Do you remember what brand they were/ where you got them from?

 

I've installed many aftermarket ball joints in different cars (including 3 of my own), and I haven't heard any complaints or incidents of cars flipping.

 

Just installed a set of DuraLast Balljoints from Autozone [27.95]. They've been fine so far and they seem to be of decent quality, we'll see in a year or so though. - Darrell

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DOHCZCCRXSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just installed a set of DuraLast Balljoints from Autozone [27.95]. They've been fine so far and they seem to be of decent quality, we'll see in a year or so though. - Darrell</TD></TR></TABLE>

Were your old ones shot? How did ride quality increase? Which ones specifically did you replace?

 

put a set of $30/pc BJs and they lasted a year and a half until i did the swap, when i destroyed them to pull the CVs, only to replace them with 2 more cheap ones.

 

Anyone know what the oem ones go for? I popped the rubber sleeve on my passenger side one when trying to remove the axle.... I'll never use a pickle fork again.

 

san leandro sells the bottom balljoint for $45.

but you can replace just the boot for $10. upper boots are only $1.25, and tie rod end boots are $3.75

pickle forks get the job done most of the time. but most of them time they do destroy the boot. it helps to grease the fork a bit, but its inevitable to bust the boot using it. i use the hammer method. pretty effective and simple and non destructive.

 

FYI: I priced it out and could replace every balljoint (upper, lower, and tie rod ends) for $145 using the "generic" equivalant. I've done some research on this McQuay Norris brand and they are used in ralley cars and alot of rock climbing trucks etc., sounds like testimony enough to me.

 

Moog is another good name brand also.

 

I'm having trouble finding any places to buy the Moog stuff for our cars, any links?

 

ok, well, i used one cheap brand for a lower ball joint, i don't even think it had a brand on the box, i just remember it cost less than 20 bucks. 9 months later, it didn't have play yet, but it was easy to move by hand, like a honda one after 5 years or so.

but, a mcquay norris outer tie rod end i put on, and 2.5 years later, after pulling it off, its tight just like a brand new balljoint. i can get them for cost, too, so i just ordered a complete front end of them, hoping to get rid of the 275k play on my current hatch.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bagpipe goatee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ok, well, i used one cheap brand for a lower ball joint, i don't even think it had a brand on the box, i just remember it cost less than 20 bucks. 9 months later, it didn't have play yet, but it was easy to move by hand, like a honda one after 5 years or so.

but, a mcquay norris outer tie rod end i put on, and 2.5 years later, after pulling it off, its tight just like a brand new balljoint. i can get them for cost, too, so i just ordered a complete front end of them, hoping to get rid of the 275k play on my current hatch.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You can get them for cost huh??? Maybe me you and my girlfriend could work something out.