dave1123

One thing I know from working in the metalworking industry for over 50 years is you can make things a lot cheaper if you shortcut the heat treating process. Items can be make of exactly the same metal, but if not heat treated properly, will wear out much sooner. I proved this by taking cheap end mills and cryogenically chilling them in liquid nitrogen to complete the hardening process AFTER they were already sold to us, then tempering them again. Using them to cut steel after this resulted in them staying sharp at least twice as long.

It seems this would hold true for ball joints as well. The harder that ball is, the longer it will last. The base metal cup it rides in makes a difference also. China has a bad reputation for short-cutting heat treatment on everything it produces. American companies may also be doing it in order to compete pricewise.

kbeam418

My uppers are original at 234k and are still fine, lowers appear to be somewhat new. The lower ball joints are the ones getting abused so they'll wear out before the uppers, the uppers are just a pivot so they don't see much abuse.

loneranger

great comments. thanks.

I'll likely go with Spicer. Any experience with these?


I watched a video done by 1A auto which was well done but clearly promotional to sell their parts. The price difference is significant compared to the Dana/Spicer set on Amazon. I understand the value of OEM. Just wondering if these are up to spec. I also like the fact the 1A are greaseable.

https://www.1aauto.com/jeep-ball-joi...SABEgLgOPD_BwE



TIA

firebane

Only need the top greasable.
Until you know if you have knurled or non-knurled ball joints wait till you order.

Knurled ball joints destroy the hole they press into and own Spicer are not knurled.

You are also going to need a bfh and a press.

GreaseMonkey17

Knurled ball joints are referred to as oversized ..... where as the smooth ones have a smaller outside diameter and fit oem specs ... they don’t “destroy” the hole unless you’re stuffing a knurled joint in a knuckle that’s still to spec ....

loneranger

Thanks for all the replies. I ordered the Spicer set.

Jeepwalker

Unless you've got a problem with the bore, just get regular replacements.

craigjacob1

Good Choice