New Tie Rod Ends, Drag LInk Ends and Ball Joints @ 65K Miles

[BajaSportsmobile]

The race truck pictured on the XRF website is one I raced several time many years ago - it belongs to my old partner and has won many races in its class. It is a great handling truck.

XRF, Pro Steer, Henry... and other custom ball joints are all very high quality and better then OEM or OEM replacement parts like the NAPA Premium ball joints and the price reflects it.

Would I put them on my SMB, probably not as I have never had problems with the NAPA units and I would rather just drive down to the corner NAPA to get replacements. I think it is easy to go overboard on upgrades on these vans.

On the other hand, if they are in your budget and you like overkill - then why not?

[JoeH]

Another nice article on the Dynatrac Prosteer ball joints. http://www.8-lug.com/tech/0912_8l_dynat ... ewall.html

Anyone get a price on the NAPA premium ball joints?

[JoeH]

Bump and I suppose a query to Bajasmb. How about the tie rod ends? NAPA for those as well?

[BajaSportsmobile]

I typically use MOOG steering parts.

Good pricing here: http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/

[JoeH]

For those that have done ball joints and tire rods at the same time have you also done the drag links? Makes sense to do it all in one package deal even though I haven't had any issues with steering.

[JoeH]

Bumping this thread. I may still spring for the Dynatrac ball joints but here's some more info.

The cost of Moog ball joints on http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/ is slightly less than half than the Dynatracs at ~$250. Amazon or Rock Auto is much cheaper. The reputation and apparent quality of Moog has gone downhill in recent years.

NAPA ball joints are apparently made by Spicer (DANA). My NAPA parts guy had a hard time cross-referencing the part numbers using the Spicer #. Go figure? The only difference between NAPA and Spicer may be just that the Napa is greaseable. It would be interesting to know if it is made for NAPA to higher spec.

Motocraft, like Spicer, are sealed and not greaseable.

XRF gets rave reviews on the truck forums but are made in Taiwan. However, you can pick up the set for $125 from http://www.thetireclub.com/content.wws? ... _KITS.html

The XRF are probably the best deal if they are indeed a premium ball joint. I don't know the pricing on the NAPA ball joints just yet.

[JoeH]

In case anyone is interested here's the info for the NAPA premium BJs:

2601395 lower $72.99 ea.
2601248 upper $47.77 ea.

They are made in Taiwan.

Spicers are a bit cheaper at ~$65 per side.