my ball joints look like they are about to be shot so im looking to replace them. from what ive read on different sites. advance auto quality is pretty much the same as ebay. im not running much power probably 180whp and my sol is just my DD so im not looking for track parts. my question is, would ebay ball joints hold up fine under DD conditions and the few times i might run it hard or is advance auto or napa a better choice

 

I've heard that Moog makes excellent OE replacement parts.

 

can i get them from a local store?

 

probably advance

 

None of those are really good choices.

Generally speaking you wont get much time out cheap parts store ball joints. (I used to get about 6 - 8 months out of them) The OEM Honda balljoints, while costing about double last at least 10 times as long.

Also bear in mind, when a ball joint separates or breaks, that wheel is going under the car and that car is going wherever it feels like it.

 

thanks 94eg8

 

I have used ball joints from advanced auto and they have lasted for me

 

did u use the cheap ones from advance? and how long have they lasted

 

as much bad stuff i have heard about advance i have heard WAY more bad stuff about autozonelol

 

SPC makes damn good products and I swear by them (all of my suspension components are either Eibach [coils and shocks] or SPC [ball joints, toe adjustment links, and rear upper control arms] ). Heavy duty and tough as hell. They're not cheap, but they're more than worth it, especially if you beat on your car's suspension daily.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...es-ball-joints

 

o'reilly auto parts sells moog. good as oem or better. dont cheap out on ball joints

 

I have never had a problem with moog on any of my vehicles. Moog would be my choice if not using OEM

 

I'm assuming lower ball joints? Most people simply replace the upper control arm when the upper ball joint is worn, that's the way Honda sells it.

Regardless...

you can get the MOOG "Problem Solver" lower ball joints for less than $30 each at Rock Auto.

I've seen the OEM Honda ball joints for around $40 each if you shop around.

 

moog it. greasable tie rod ends, not sure if moog ball j has grease fitting.

 

honda OEM.
I replaced both lowers with MOOG. I get good pricing through work, and they're lifetime warranty. Otherwise I'd of gone to honda.

 

Greasable tie rod ends and ball joints kinda suck for most people. They either never grease them and they fail, or they pump too much grease in them and they fail.

 

If they are the lowers, check with Honda regarding service bulletins. Even though the parts catalog doesn't show them as separate, there can be a bulletin with a part # for individual which significantly reduces the cost.

 

Ya guess I'm more high maint than most, so I grease every tire rotation

 

The lowers are separate even in the parts catalog, part number 51220-S04-003. They aren't shown for the '01 - '05 Civics, but they are available (part number 51220-S5A-305 if anyone cares)

 

Then I don't understand what the issue is? ~$42 is very reasonable for OE ball joint. Why would you even chance it with something else?

 

I am running Moog UCA's and Raybestos out tie rod ends. I live down a dirt road, and they are holding up nicely. I am at stock height right now, and the front end is still tight as hell. Check out Rock Auto, that is where I buy all my replacement products. You have to look for the best parts though, and be careful not to order anything with the blue flag next to it...you will be waiting a while for the parts.

 

$42 is dirt cheap really. Canadian prices are very out of wack. Even with my discount at Honda I pay $101 each for them, plus 13% tax. Cheap aftermarket is about $50 each. Unfortunately Majestic Honda wont ship to Canada.

 

My vote is for Moog, they are very well made, but I have not used or installed oem so I can not speak for them.

 

FWIW, my taxi went through four Moog ball joints in two years. Two were out of spec and needed to be replaced, and two failed, unexpectedly and catastrophically. Thankfully both while doing a 3 point in a cul de sac - had they failed at any kind of speed, the car would have been fucked. In those two years, the taxi saw ~80k miles.

No, they weren't for an EJ chassis, but yes, they were Moog. It's a safe assumption they put the same level of craftsmanship into all of their ball joints, regardless of chassis.

 

I just recently replace my ball joints as well I had bought the first pair threw eBay and trust me when I say this those parts are garbage don't waste your time and money. The sad thing was those cheap *** joints didnt even last me 3 months I bought the moog brand worth every penny happy with the results