Lower Ball Joints Recommendation

[Dustin Jackson]

I need to replace my lower ball joints, thinking about going with Kryptonite but can't find any reviews about them.

What lower ball joints are you running and how long have you had them installed?

 

[Trey Hardy]

I need to replace my lower ball joints, thinking about going with Kryptonite but can't find any reviews about them.

What lower ball joints are you running and how long have you had them installed?

I’ve had good luck with my kryptonite ball joints I’d recommend them

 

[Trey Hardy]

Had em on my Tahoe for a couple years now had em on my Silverado for 6 months give or take

I need to replace my lower ball joints, thinking about going with Kryptonite but can't find any reviews about them.

What lower ball joints are you running and how long have you had them installed?

 

[blondie70]

O'Reilly ball joint in mine. Works great !

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Thanks I bought a set of Kryptonite lower ball joints. Hopefully they last longer than the last set of Moog. I really don't want to have to be redoing my suspension every 3 years.

 

[Trey Hardy]

Thanks I bought a set of Kryptonite lower ball joints. Hopefully they last longer than the last set of Moog. I really don't want to have to be redoing my suspension every 3 years.

Mine has held up to the 24x14s and 8” lift no problem

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Another option is to purchase the entire control arm with the ball joint already installed. Very reasonable priced at GMPartsDirect.com. I did this to my 07 using OEM control arms, and got both the control arm bushings and the ball joint replaced with new.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@Joseph Garcia I just replaced the lower control arms three years ago so I am hoping the bushings are good still. What’s the best way to check lower control arm bushings ?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

@Joseph Garcia I just replaced the lower control arms three years ago so I am hoping the bushings are good still. What’s the best way to check lower control arm bushings ?

Other than a visual check, good question. @OR VietVet @Doubeleive ?

 

[Doubeleive]

@Joseph Garcia I just replaced the lower control arms three years ago so I am hoping the bushings are good still. What’s the best way to check lower control arm bushings ?

probably the same way as checking a ball joint, use a crow bar and see if there is any play.
I wouldn't waste my money and time on replacing just a ball joint, yes the cost is a little more up front but easier to just replace the whole control arm and be done with it forever.
a factory control arm should only have to be replaced maybe once in 300k, however rust may play a factor for some.

 

[OR VietVet]

What @Doubeleive said. Where the control arms bolt in to the frame cradle, use a pry bar and check for abnormal play where the arm bolts in at. Also, lift/jack up the lower arm close to ball joint and get tire about 1" to 2" off ground and get a long pry bar under there and rock everything as much as you can.

A small amount of surface cracking on the bushings is allowable but large cracks/chunks, "isa no goood".

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@Doubeleive I hear you, my current arms are only 3-4 years old so I was going to just try and do the ball joints. Now that I'm thinking about it if I did the whole control arm I could leave everything else connected to knuckle without the need to fit a ball joint press in there I can just slide the lower control arm out and leave the upper ball joints and tie rods connected. I just did the upper control arms a few weeks ago and don't feel good about whacking them out of the knuckle

 

[swathdiver]

...my current arms are only 3-4 years old

What brand again and how many miles since?

I seem to remember you going through this but don't remember the details anymore.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@swathdiver I used the Moog CK control arms, the $120 ones from Rock Auto. Same with the rest of my suspension I used the “good” Moog parts and have to replace most of it already. So far the tie rods seems fine.

 

[swathdiver]

@swathdiver I used the Moog CK control arms, the $120 ones from Rock Auto. Same with the rest of my suspension I used the “good” Moog parts and have to replace most of it already. So far the tie rods seems fine.

Those are the same as ACDelco Professional/Gold. So that's another real world review of those things. They aren't lasting as long as we initially thought they would. How many miles since?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Those are the same as ACDelco Professional/Gold. So that's another real world review of those things. They aren't lasting as long as we initially thought they would. How many miles since?

@swathdiver About 40k

 

[swathdiver]

@swathdiver About 40k

Hey Chris and Ken, how long did your Moog/ACDelco control arms last? Who else on here had to replace them?

@iamdub @kbuskill

 

[kbuskill]

Hey Chris and Ken, how long did your Moog/ACDelco control arms last? Who else on here had to replace them?

@iamdub @kbuskill

I installed New Moog CK upper, lower control arms up front on 12/11/20 at 261,241 miles.

The truck still has them on it today with approximately 325K miles. No issues that I am aware of.

 

[2 liter beater]

I chose the TTX arm assembly. I don’t have much in the way of mileage but the ball joint had a grease fitting and the whole arm is powder coated. Just do the whole arm and that’s 3 potential problems gone in probably less time.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

@Doubeleive I hear you, my current arms are only 3-4 years old so I was going to just try and do the ball joints. Now that I'm thinking about it if I did the whole control arm I could leave everything else connected to knuckle without the need to fit a ball joint press in there I can just slide the lower control arm out and leave the upper ball joints and tie rods connected. I just did the upper control arms a few weeks ago and don't feel good about whacking them out of the knuckle

Now, you are catching on.