Ball joints and tie rod ends. It pays to shop

[352]

Have you noticed the prices on ball joints and tie rod ends lately? I understand Moog is one of the best out there and the price reflects it. Local parts store $127 for one Moog ball joint. Moog ball joint $65 on Ebay. Apples for apples. Total parts for my needs were $508 at local parts store. Ebay price $235. No taxes or shipping.

[Redsky]

It is why I grease the front end every 3,000 miles. Takes 15 minutes and greatly extends the life of these parts. In the distant past when oil changes were done every 3,000 miles the chassis was lubed as well. Now the oil changes can be every 15,000 miles but the truck still needs to be greased every 3,000 miles (at least per GM's recommended service).

[45Ricochet]

Oh I found the site I think I read before. Hopefully your ebay package will have stamped parts. Good luck buddy.

Clicky

[Andymon]

I had upper and lower ball joints done and the total was just under $650 and that included parts.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

45Ricochet wrote:
Rumor has it Moog started importing from oversea's. Sorry no link but I read it somewhere. I'd be careful with the ebay seller, lots of fake parts coming out of China. Last thing I'd want is a fake steering part from China.

It's no rumor. :M

For the last several years I have talked to several of my tech friends that do several front end jobs a day. There take on Moog? They SUCK lately. Their words, not mine, so don't get all butt hurt with me if you have a love affair with Mood. 🙂

I point blank asked them "what the hell brand do I use then?"

The blank stare told me everything I need to know. Several said, "I don't know?"

Were they knock offs? I don't know. Were they the real deal and they just suck now? I don't know? They do they suck now according to my friends that do this every day. :R

I have no idea where to get good front end parts now. :h

According to my friends, even the dealer has re-boxed parts from China. :E Nice. :R

[Mvander]

I have had good luck with Rockauto.com. Unless I need it NOW!

[DavinD]

It's a whole lot cheaper when you don't have to pay rent, taxes, employees to man the counter....

[Cummins12V98]

rtz549 wrote:
This is another good site to browse brands and prices and get an idea of what's out there.

http://www.rockauto.com/

Rock Auto is a great place for quality parts at a good price.

[Bionic_Man]

45Ricochet wrote:
I'd be careful with the ebay seller, lots of fake parts coming out of China. Last thing I'd want is a fake steering part from China.

X2

[powderman426]

Moog used to be the name for quality parts but they don't impress me with their latest offerings.

[45Ricochet]

Rumor has it Moog started importing from oversea's. Sorry no link but I read it somewhere. I'd be careful with the ebay seller, lots of fake parts coming out of China. Last thing I'd want is a fake steering part from China.

[fj12ryder]

RockAuto is very good, but I usually use either AutoPartsTomorrow or AM-Autoparts. And sometimes Amazon is the cheapest by the time you factor in their free shipping, but not all that often.

[fj12ryder]

I bought upper and lower ball joints recently for my wife's truck. The local O'Reilly's wanted about $480 plus tax which make it over $500 for the Moog parts. I ordered the same Moog parts online at a couple different places and the total including shipping was $200. Same parts, just a little different price.

I also called a local, non-dealer, shop to see what they wanted to do the job. Ooof!! Their price, using Moog parts was right at $800 including installation. They quoted me a price of $165 for the Moog parts that I bought for $45. I did spend about $50 for a ball joint press at HF.

[rtz549]

This is another good site to browse brands and prices and get an idea of what's out there.

http://www.rockauto.com/