I Have to replace the control arm bushes on my truck.
At the same time I figured I would replace the upper an lower ball joints, possibly drag link, idler arm and tie rod ends.

But upon opening up the rock auto catalogue I am faced with many options to choose from. They list economy, daily driver and premium.

I always like to save a dollar where possible but don't want something that is going to fail in a short while. In saying that the truck will be on historic plates and doing very little mileage each year.
Any idea which brand and bracket I should go for

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...m+bushing,7532

And ball joints
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ll+joint,10070

And Tie Rod Ends

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...e+rod+end,7428

 

Spend the money, and go for the premium parts. Deal with it once, and likely never have to deal with it again.

 

If it's going to be sitting, greasable parts would be a good thing.

 

I'm the opposite - these days its usually the same crap sold by all the brands. I'll save the $$$.

That said, I like Moog Quicksteer for balljoints and TREs. They are fullsize parts with grease fittings. Some of the other jobber brands are undersized joints.

 

another vote for moog but sometimes i will compromise depending on if i can get it all shipped to me from 1 location or not. for the most part

 

Yep, thats the thing, how do you know what you are getting since most parts are made in china. I do have quite a few parts in my shopping cart and a lot of them are Moog so think I am on the right track

 

I’d go Moog, I think they are a better choice than the rest, though I’ve had good results with TRW parts in all my various vehicles as well.

I’d suggest Energy Suspension bushings for the control arm bushings if available. Black since I don’t think the red have graphite in them. Same for your sway bar bushings and end links.

I put all that in my 2nd gen 2500 along with new rubber bushings for the rear sway bar, that big beast now drives winding roads like a rock steady sports car.

Rubber for the rear sway bar (if you have one) instead of urethane, make it too stiff your vehicle will be much more inclined to break the rear loose and swap ends in a panic braking or quick swerve/lane change situation.

 

FWIW, I'm not a Moog fan. I've just noticed their Quicksteer line competes with the bargain-basement brands, and you still get a fairly decent part.