Took my 1997 1500 4x4 to a shop for an alignment, and they inform me it needs a bunch of parts before it’ll align. I’ve owned the truck since brand new, and have 248,000 miles on it. Most of the front end is original, so I guess I’m not questioning their diagnoses too much, although when I inspected the front end 2000miles ago everything seemed tight when I had a friend turn the steering wheel and I laid under the truck looking for play. Anyway, they tell me it needs:
all 4 ball joints
sway bar link
drag link
inner tie rod end
stabilizer cylinder

Is there anything wrong with them going with Moog parts, or should I definitely source something special from the internet (like you do with steering gearbox, U-joints, etc). By special U-joints I mean Spicer only. Thoughts please?

 

Sway bar end link and steering stabilizer you don't have to have for an alignment. But moog parts should be fine

 

I'm not a fan of moog. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...Q2uGijcRjkUZAK I like these or AC Delco, or Spicer. SKF or Spicer u-joints. I'd replace both tie rod ends. There's a good chance your wheel bearings will be bad. My favorite are SKF, but AC Delco and Timken are also good. Try to get u-joints with the needle grease fitting in the cap for the axle shaft joints. They are the easiest to grease once installed. 45U0114 is AC Delco, I can't find the SKF or Spicer part #.

 

Moog isn't what it used to be, but I still use Moog front end components. They're fine.

 

Thanks guys