My truck needs upper ball joints for sure and I think a lower one on one side. I'm looking at having a shop do it as I don't want to mess with it. I'm getting the rear end redone along with a new tranny put in at the same time.

I'm wondering which brand I should get? Napa sells Dana stuff and Fishers has Spicer. The Dana's are almost $100 cheaper by the time I buy all of them. Are the Spicers that much better? I want something I can have changed now and not worry about them for another 100k miles. These lasted 99,300 so I want something that will last atleast that long again.

 

You get what you pay for, If the spicers are more they are probly better

 

I just replaced all 4 of mine with Moog units for about $195. Got them from Amazon .com. Best price I found. plus free shipping

 

If I remember correctly, I think it was the dana and the spicers, my father bought front spicers, then saw the danas and compared them. They were the exact same thing. Took the spicers back and bought the danas. Again I am not positive on the brands.

 

My mom works at a suspension, alignment, brakes shop and when someone wants the regular stuff, the shop orders spicer ball joints, tie rod ends, pitman arms, etc.... Otherwise, Moog is the name to beat. They are the higher quality company. Spicer joints, oddly enough, are made in Taiwan. How do you like that? Moog I've yet to find out, but I'm on top of it. Get back to you soon on that.

 

I called Federal Mogal and asked them where the joints are made. I was told that factories are located throughout the world, so it's hard to say where linkage components are made... Best bet is call the store and just ask where it's made. If it's USA, very good, if Taiwan or China makes them, whoa. One thing though, whenever work is done at my mom's shop, normaly it doesn't matter what people get. Whether it be Moog parts or Spicer, there aren't complaints or problems with either brand's part breaking or not doing it's jobproperly. Moog just seems to be the higher priced, higher quality part.

One last thought before I go though. Be sure to get the joints that have the grease fittings. I was told that if you regularly pack the joints, tie rod ends, pitman arm, idler arms, etc. wiht grease every say 6-8,000 miles, they'll last alot longer. Just something that I thought people might be interested in knowing seeing as how hardly anybody I know ever really lubes their chassis like they should.