hi there i have a 97 del sol si and the ball joints need being replaced. got a quote from the stealer ship for new oem at $655 for the front suspension control arms and lower ball joints both sides. at a local parts source got a quote for an generic brand set of the same parts at $325. the sol has a b18c5 in it and someday will be boosted. am i best to go with oem when raising the power or is there another brand that is good. for example ive been reading fairly good reviews about moog's problem solver line with lifetime warranty that are user greaseable. parts cost about $375 for the ones i need.

please leave any and all advice, insight, personal experience with iether or any brands of products. any horror stories to stay away from all will be intently takin in

and thanks in advance

 

Is that with labor?

You can get Honda ball joints for ~$40 each, Moog is about the same as well.

 

I bought ball joints and uca's for $75 uca each and $20 ball joint each. Installed myself. Save money for lots of beer

 

no that $655 is just honda's parts. labor they want another $637 to install saying its a 5.8 hour job. have you used moog before? if so did they hold up well or wear prematurely.

 

http://www.hondapartsunlimited.com/p...hassis/knuckle

#4, $40 for lower.
#8, $100 for the UCA.

 

thanks for the link like the prices. anything to be said about quality of oem over moog or vice versa (or a different brand all together) if my next 3 year goal is to get up to 300 hp.

 

I'm a brake and alignment tech, I install moog all the time and prefer them over the oem parts. Less expensive doesn't mean less quality. Install yourself if you know how to pull the control arms you can run to any shop and have them press the ball joints and installing uca's is cake.

 

thank you so much for the info. im planning on installing myself since whats the point of a project car if you dont. is there anything else i should look at and check out while im down there and have the wheels and such off? i was also wondering since you have worked with moog and like them how is their customer service do they stand by their warranty/ have any problems with warranty claims?

 

The warranty in going to be through the vendor ie: carquest, orielly's, etc. ask them what their warranty is. also always good to check all your bushings and bearings. If you take off your steering knuckle make sure to torque your axle nut to the proper spec 134ft/lbs. all others get tight and use new cotter keys if they have a castle nut.

 

^ I literally just bought every 96-00 front suspension part moog makes and it was 450 shipped.
Ive used moog before and it seems heavier duty to me over oem...just my opinion