2 What Should Be My Considerations Before Buying Ball Joints?
Ball joints are one of the most commonly serviced vehicle parts because they endure immense stresses and face a lot of abuse throughout their lifespan. This will put you on the market looking for replacement arts quite often, but choosing between several brands, finding the right type, fit, quality and other factors can make your decision process quite confusing and elaborate. So we have compiled a list of things you need to be aware of when buying replacements for your ball joints.
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Design and Material
The lifespan of a ball joint is a direct result of how well it is built and what materials went into making it. High-quality ball joints use superior materials like sintered and hardened metals to create a robust part that lasts a long time. Most manufacturers showcase their build quality or mention the materials used which can help you understand how well the components are built. The socket and stud must be made of high-grade and high-strength alloy steel. Polyurethane is a good material choice for boots.
The design and material of internal components like the bearing, springs, and other fittings are also important. Plastic is cheaper and so many manufacturers get away with using it and it is not always clear to the customer as these components lie inside the ball joint. But if you dig a little deeper you are sure to find the internal product materials. If replacing load-bearing ball joints, it is crucial to find replacements that meet or exceed OE standards. Many aftermarket brands provide OE quality standards at lowered costs. Refer to our top brand’s section to know more about the best manufacturers and their product features.
Compatibility
The suspension system design in every vehicle is varied which means the various components are most likely specific to every make and model. The same goes for ball joints as well and finding the right fit for your vehicle is essential for proper functionality. Luckily, PartsAvatar stores components specific to every make, model and year so you can be sure to find products that are designed specifically for your car. Just enter the make, model, and year of your vehicle to find relevant products.
Sealed Vs Serviceable Ball Joints
As the name suggests, sealed ball joints come sealed from the factory and are pre-lubricated with lifetime grease. Whereas greaseable or serviceable ball joints need to be greased regularly to maintain lubrication within the joint. Most modern cars come with sealed ball joints as they require less maintenance and have sufficient service life. Greaseable ball joints can provide longer service life if serviced regularly but failing to do so can result in premature failure.
High-Resistance Coatings
While steel is one of the sturdiest materials of choice for ball joints, they are also extremely susceptible to corrosion. To counter these many manufacturers apply high-resistance coatings that help keep moisture at bay and reduce corrosion as well as increase wear resistance of the components. Apart from water resistance, ball joints also need to deal with high temperatures that can wear internal parts rapidly and tear boots. The ball joints need to be able to deal with high temperatures along with moisture, debris, and other contaminants. Ball joints with special coatings and quality materials are a crucial requirement if the driving conditions are severe.
Assembly Vs Single Part
As mentioned earlier, the ball joints vary based on mounting, so you need to choose one that matches the type on your car. Unitized ball joint assemblies can only be replaced with control arms. Even some press-in and riveted ball joints cannot be replaced individually and require complete assembly of the control arm with ball joint. Also when buying you usually have a choice between going with kits or a single part. This can be decided based on the condition of the rest of your components. But make sure you are getting all necessary parts included for the ball joint replacement like the castle nut, cotter pin, grease fitting (if a serviceable ball joint), etc.
Price
Since all ball joints have pretty much the same construction, the only difference you will notice in price is based on the material and design choice. Not all ball joints are created equally and so you can not expect the same performance from a more economical option than a more expensive one. However, that does not mean that the most expensive option is often the best. The trick is to find the sweet spot between price and quality. One way to dodge this bullet completely is to go with tried and trusted brands like Moog, Mevotech, Delphi, etc. This way you know the quality and performance of the component is going to be well accounted for by its price. Refer to the brand’s section to find the top manufacturers of suspension components.
4 Which Top Brand Ball Joints Should I Choose?
Since ball joints are such elemental suspension components it is important to source OE grade products from renowned manufacturers. Some of the mentioned brands are not only capable of delivering OE standards but can even surpass the capabilities of OEM replacements providing enhanced strength, versatility, ease of installation, serviceability, etc. The listed features showcase the strengths of each brand product and are there to help you decide on the right replacements for your needs.
Moog Ball Joints
Recent innovations in Moog ball joints have ensured that they have the characteristics and performance that are expected from MOOG. Induction hardening has doubled stud strength and increased durability by a factor of five, which also improves safety. Durability is also enhanced thanks to the new hybrid core carbon fiber bearing which has better friction properties and the increase in radial deflection is reduced by 40% on average. Switching to a new synthetic grease makes the ball joint easier for you to fit as well as delivers optimum smoothness. The zinc flake coating on accessories not only looks better, but it also improves corrosion resistance, while the flanged nuts allow higher locking force which boosts safety. Both our press-in and bolted ball joints have new housing coatings which improve their appearance and resistance to corrosion.
Moog Upper Ball Joints Part Numbers: K, K, K, K, K, and more
Moog Lower Ball Joints Part Numbers: K, K, K, K, K, and more
Features:
Link to Zegao Machinery
- Premium Polychloroprene Sealed Boot w/ Grease-Relief Valve: Stands up to environmental extremes and allows contaminants to be flushed
- Powdered-Metal Gusher Bearing Technology: Provides strength and stability and allows grease to flow through the bearing surface for reduced friction and long life
- Full-Ball Hardened Stud w/ Grease Grooves: Promotes longer life and smooth articulation
- One-piece Forged Housing: Provides durability and strength
- Belleville Washer Preload: Ensures tight tolerances
- Greaseable Design: MOOG® ball joints are designed to make lubrication service easier, contributing to longer component life
- Pressed-in Patented Cover Plate Design: Compressed into place, its placement within the housing virtually eliminates excess axial and radial movement of the full-ball stud, securing solid steering feel for the life of the part
- Easy to install: Precision tolerances for easy installation and steering alignment give you a perfect fit right out of the box.
- Zinc flake coated and flanged nuts and bolts: Corrosion resistance and increased locking force
- Metal sealing rings: Optimal sealing
- Carbon fiber reinforced bearing: Less friction and more durable
- Induction hardened stud: More durable and stronger
- Comprehensive coverage: Available for foreign and domestic nameplates
- Moog Problem Solver Ball Joints: Provide long-lasting dependability and performance. Made with a hardened steel stud ball having a full 360-degree range of movement, allowing for consistent stud articulation throughout the life of the part. Grease grooves allow full lubrication between the housing and the ball stud for extended life.
Mevotech Ball Joints
Mevotech innovates every ball joint component. Their engineers focus on improving part life and ease of installation, employing punishing durability testing to validate every new design. Many of their products offer X-FACTOR DESIGN™ which provides maximum service life and durability to keep your vehicle performing longer. Their LABOR SAVERS™ technology makes your installations much faster, easier while protecting surrounding components, and includes handy Labor Savers accessories in the box.
Mevotech Upper Ball Joints Part Numbers: MS, MS, MK, TXK, MK, and more
Mevotech Lower Ball Joints Part Numbers: TXMS, MK, MS, TXKT, MK, and more
Features:
- Metal design of internal components: Internal metal designs are widely used in the manufacture of Mevotech X Factor ball joints. These designs incorporate highly durable upper and lower metal bearings that surround the ball joint stud and ball, and they include grease fittings to allow for grease and lubrication to be injected into the central area to prolong the life of the ball joint.
- Greaseable: Greaseable ball joints enable the ball joint to be serviced, to flush out old grease and contaminants by injecting new grease during inspection and maintenance routines.
- Knurling: The knurling process on the outer housing of the ball joint cause press-in ball joints to grip and mate with the control arm optimally. Ball joints must be held firmly in place within the control arm in order to function properly. Knurling is an important component of the aftermarket ball joint because it compensates for the wear and deformation of the control arm receptacle.
- Black oxide coating: The black oxide coating provides high resistance to variable corrosion factors such as road debris and adverse road and weather conditions, ensuring the prolonged life of the ball joint.
Delphi Ball Joints
Delphi provides ball joints that have a high-strength and smooth operation, made with high-quality forgings and a surface finish machined to micron tolerances. Components are extremely tested to meet OE standards and specifications.
Delphi Upper Ball Joints Part Numbers: TC, TC, TC660, TC293, TC, and more
Delphi Lower Ball Joints Part Numbers: TC, TC, TC, TC, TC, and more
Features:
- Precision engineering: Enabling free movement in two planes at the same time, the ball-pin is a critical component. That’s why our ball-pins are manufactured from high-grade steel and machined to micron tolerances. Together with a polyoxymethylene nylon ball-pin seat, they provide optimum durability and smooth joint operation.
- Extensive testing: Delphi ball joints undergo rigorous performance tests including angular stress testing, where the ball is rotated through its angular and rotational travel under load, as well as a pull and push-out the test, to measure the force required for it to break away from the housing. These important safety tests ensure the ball joint can withstand the same forces as the OE part.
- Cataphoretic coating: Like many of our steering parts, Delphi ball joints feature an environmentally friendly cataphoretic coating for tougher and longer-lasting protection from corrosion caused by salt, dirt and water, and other contaminants.
- Greater protection: To help prevent damage to the joint’s internal components, all our ball joints come with a special chloroprene rubber cover. The new and improved formula maintains its durability even in extreme temperatures, providing added protection from road dirt or salt and allowing continued free movement of the ball joint for a longer-lasting part.
- Longer service intervals: We provide a range of sealed ball joints, that are lubed for life with a high-specification grease, to minimize maintenance requirements. Alongside our precision ball-pin finish and improved rubber boot design, they offer longer ball joint service intervals and better grease retention.
- Extensive dimensional and material analysis to ensure the very best compatibility between the OE and aftermarket parts.
- Tested to withstand temperatures below -40ºC and over 120ºC, helping to ensure they perform even under the harshest conditions.
- Parts exposed to 720 hours of salt spray for optimum protection against corrosion.
- Additional cataphoretic coating for greater protection against corrosion and enhanced aesthetics.
Transit Warehouse Ball Joints
Transit Warehouse TOR or TOUGH. OPTIMAL. RELIABLE series of suspension and steering components stand true to their name. TOR offers a full range of heavy-duty steering and suspension car parts, built for optimal fit and extended service life. Each component is tested throughout the manufacturing process to ensure exceptional performance and reliability.
Transit Warehouse Upper Ball Joints Part Numbers: TOR-K, TOR-KT, TOR-K, TOR-K, TOR-K, and more
Transit Warehouse Lower Ball Joints Part Numbers: TOR-K, TOR-K, TOR-K, TOR-K, TOR-K, and more
Features:
- Premium quality precision-machined components built to last
- Engineered to withstand extreme weather conditions
- Delivers a smooth, stable ride
- Rigorous testing procedures
- Multi-Axis Vibration: to confirm overall design durability
- Impact Resistance: to verify the material’s toughness
- Salt Fogging-to check surface coating corrosion resistance capabilities
- Artificial Ageing: to ensure long-term durability and safety
Lower ball joint replacement... The following steps for illustration purposes, if you break things, it's on you (not on me)
First and foremost, if your W124/R129 car is equipped with the LCA that uses replaceable lower ball joint, despite the few videos one may find online – not going to happen with out removing the caliper and and the rotor. Not unless one wants to butcher the dust shield.
The dust shield is shaped where it “hugs/cups” around the ball joint receiving end/knuckle, and the clearance between this part of the shield is only few millimeters. Not enough to “move” the shield out of the way and pull LCA down.
Once the caliper and the rotor removed, dust shield now has room to move outward, bending it slightly out of the way, and with that, the ball joint section of the LCA can easily be separated and clear the assembly.
Tools:
17mm wrench
19mm socket
19mm wrench
Extensions
Punch
Spring compressor
Jack
Jack stands
Wheel chucks
Ball Joint Extraction/press tool set
Ratcheting strap
Hanger wire for the caliper
With the car secured, hand brake on and the wheels chucked, loosen the wheel bolts, jack the car, remove the wheel/tire, secure the car with jack stands for safety.
Over all there are only 4 bolts to be removed, but it will take a little time... Be prepared to move the steering wheel clock to clock for better access to those bolts.
Removed the 17mm steering stop bolt/pin (I don't know what else to call it), this would be much easier to access the 19mm nut of the ball joint
Onto the ball joint retaining bolt/nut combo, using 19mm socket
Loosened them up, did not remove the nut all the way, just taped it a little, to start the "extraction".
Using appropriate spring compressor, partially compressed the spring. This relieved the pressure from the LCA.
Placed the jack under the outer part of LCA, and jack up LCA just enough where one can see the shock assembly starting to move up, stoped right there. Now is the time to punch out the 19mm ball joint nut/bolt assembly. New bolts and nuts are included with Lefmorder kit.
Now it is time to remove the rotor and the caliper: 1 set screw and x2 caliper bolts (19mm) Hanged the caliper safely where no strain on the sensor or the brake line is introduced.
Bent the dust shield outward a little, and now it will clear the knuckle... Inserted the pry-bar in the suitable area and began the separation from the shaft. Once loose, started lowering the jack slowly, and separated completely.
Moved the strut hub assembly out of the way and secure it with the strap, needed this room maneuver around with the ball joint press tool
Tool kits are different, almost like a little puzzle. I borrowed this set from a friend, however, Autozone rents similar kit.
Before proceeded any further, please, note, there is a notch on the ball joint base:
Look at the car's old ball joint, note the position of the notch and make sure the new one goes in the same position/orientation of the notch.
[Admin edit: This assumes the "old" joint was original, and/or installed correctly. FSM job 33- (link) has a diagram which shows the orientation of the notch, with the text "...the [notch] on the joint is aligned with the center of the control arm"
Found the appropriate size fitting, press the ball joint assembly out
This old one came out in 3 pieces, definitely old and tired
Ensured that all the surfaces are clean prior to installation of the ball joint!
Placed the jack under the LCA and move LCA upwards, definitely need that clearance at the bottom to press the new ball joint in.
Positioned the new ball joint into receptacle, ensuring the proper orientation of the notch. This is the combination I found worked the best with this ball joint tool set:
Once firmly sited/pressed in, lowered the jack, released the strut/hub assembly and it is now the time to mate them together.
When the assembly is on the shaft of the ball joint, placed the jack back under the LCA:
Jacked it up to the point where the shaft is all the way in and the shock assembly starting to move upwards... Ensured that the steering wheel is straight, looked into the hole where the 19mm, at this point it should be perfectly round. That opening should perfectly correspond with the notch on the shaft of the ball joint for that 19mm bolt to clear
I used the original bolt to test fit, just to make sure (that way there is no chance to damaging the treads of the new hardware):
With jack still under the LCA, remove the old "test" bolt, installed new bolt and nut supplied with the kit. Tightened down.
Bent the dust shield back to it's original orientation. Installed the rotor. Secured with set screw, I always like to apply a bit of anti-seize to that screw.
Installed the caliper back, securing it with 19mm bolts/hardware, torque to specs (115nm if I'm not mistaken), new hardware is recommended.
Re-installed the 17mm steering stop/bolt/pin.
Checked for completeness of all steps. Onto the other side you go... Hope this helps.
Regards,
D
P.S @gerryvz please feel free to make any changes to make into the standard format? And if any one can provide proper torque specs for the 19mm ball joint bolt/nut, that would be great!
If anyone have any additional tips/pointers/corrections, please, chime in!