When I rebuilt my front suspension in about 2007 I installed the lower and upper ball joints from Classic Suspension because they were suppose to be the most authentic looking ones out there and were recommended to me by the Lever Family who do a lot of control arm restorations. Well the boots on the upper joint failed within a few year and I have since replaced those with Moog upper joints, those boots are fine.
Now one of the lower joints boots has failed. These have been recommended on Team Chevelle, http://www.energysuspension.com/parts-search.html?pn=295090. I wonder if anyone has used them. I wonder if they are any good. Or will grease just leak out the bottom. I am thinking I should just go ahead and put in new Moog Joints, If I can find ones made in the USA. A member on TC just got Moog joints from Summit which said made in the usa, well when they arrived, it said made in Mexico. I think a lot of site are selling joint made overseas.
Dave Seitz said
Mar 7, 2018
When I had done a former members car I used Moog on the entire front suspension.
I trust those components, so after the rebuilding the suspension front to back owner said,
"Handles like my squad car". So if you want to drive and put miles on put in the good stuff.
How many guys crawl under to look at Ball joints or other suspension components?
Larry Lucast said
Mar 7, 2018
I have used a lot of Energy Suspension parts. They are mostly made of urethane. If you just want to replace your boots, I am sure they offer one.
jim larson said
Mar 7, 2018
What I see so far with Moog and other replacement lower ball joints, the boot just slips over the joint and there is a kind of a compression fit at the bottom of the boot and also at the top of the boot. On the original style lower joints the bottom of the boot is contained inside a metal sleeve. Good design if the boot holds up; but in my case three have failed so far.
So likely to go with new Moog lower joints or the AC deco joints.
-- Edited by jim larson on Wednesday 7th of March 2018 02:39:58 PM
jim larson said
Mar 7, 2018
After watching this one has to wonder about Moog ball Joints. design of the Delco joint looks better, maybe you could even add some kind of retainer on the lower part of the boot; but it looks like the joint may have some method of retaining the boot, like the originals.
All the recent Moog lowers I have installed have a metal ring molded INSIDE the rubber boot and need to be pushed on rather firmly. They seal tight and stay put.
jim larson said
Mar 9, 2018
Maybe a little metal to rubber locktite will help insure no leakage.
Lost in the 60s said
Mar 9, 2018
jim larson wrote:
Maybe a little metal to rubber locktite will help insure no leakage.
The Moog boot is designed to leak, you need to clock the port to inboard so the excess/expelled grease doesn't get on the brakes/tire.
-- Edited by Lost in the 60s on Friday 9th of March 2018 08:42:56 PM
jim larson said
Mar 10, 2018
I was thinking about down on the bottom, you mentioned a sleeve for a press fit, I just thought maybe that would help; but with the design to leak at the top if you overfill its probably mute, just don't put to much grease in there in the first place. That link is a nice explanation of the moog boot and design, thanks.
When I rebuilt my front suspension in about 2007 I installed the lower and upper ball joints from Classic Suspension because they were suppose to be the most authentic looking ones out there and were recommended to me by the Lever Family who do a lot of control arm restorations. Well the boots on the upper joint failed within a few year and I have since replaced those with Moog upper joints, those boots are fine.
Now one of the lower joints boots has failed. These have been recommended on Team Chevelle, http://www.energysuspension.com/parts-search.html?pn=295090. I wonder if anyone has used them. I wonder if they are any good. Or will grease just leak out the bottom. I am thinking I should just go ahead and put in new Moog Joints, If I can find ones made in the USA. A member on TC just got Moog joints from Summit which said made in the usa, well when they arrived, it said made in Mexico. I think a lot of site are selling joint made overseas.
I trust those components, so after the rebuilding the suspension front to back owner said,
"Handles like my squad car". So if you want to drive and put miles on put in the good stuff.
How many guys crawl under to look at Ball joints or other suspension components?
What I see so far with Moog and other replacement lower ball joints, the boot just slips over the joint and there is a kind of a compression fit at the bottom of the boot and also at the top of the boot. On the original style lower joints the bottom of the boot is contained inside a metal sleeve. Good design if the boot holds up; but in my case three have failed so far.
So likely to go with new Moog lower joints or the AC deco joints.
http://www.autoanything.com/steering/77A13765A4736318.aspx
-- Edited by jim larson on Wednesday 7th of March 2018 02:39:58 PM
After watching this one has to wonder about Moog ball Joints. design of the Delco joint looks better, maybe you could even add some kind of retainer on the lower part of the boot; but it looks like the joint may have some method of retaining the boot, like the originals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8ZVahKc06o
Maybe a little metal to rubber locktite will help insure no leakage.
The Moog boot is designed to leak, you need to clock the port to inboard so the excess/expelled grease doesn't get on the brakes/tire.
http://fme-cat.com/livedocs/DYK11_102_ENG-R.pdf
-- Edited by Lost in the 60s on Friday 9th of March 2018 08:42:56 PM
I was thinking about down on the bottom, you mentioned a sleeve for a press fit, I just thought maybe that would help; but with the design to leak at the top if you overfill its probably mute, just don't put to much grease in there in the first place. That link is a nice explanation of the moog boot and design, thanks.