Are all Ball Joints Created Equal?

[smeeegheeead]

[wcdennis]

I did a total front end rebuild less than 5 years ago and (like everyone else) I'm finding many of the rubber parts already failing. The worst is the boot on the Febi upper ball joints. they look like this:

No doubt the boots gave up long before I noticed, but the mechanical joints are still solid. So, being the type that hates to throw away something that is still good, I measured the two diameters (20.3mm and 37.6mm) and started looking for a replacement boot. The closest thing I could find are these universal seals for a tie rod end. https://www.suspension.com/superpro/spf0333k.
When they showed up, I was a bit discouraged. They are very thick and not too flexible. Also, there was no ridge inside the large opening to fit the groove on the ball joint body. With some effort, they will fit very snugly on the joint. To get the smaller opening over the seat on the post, I used a piece of 3/4 PVC pipe and some muscle.

At this point it looked like a very clean fit, but when I worked the joint, the boot would pop-off. I tried a wire retainer, but it wanted to slip down off the seal. So my solution, that seems to be working, is a zip-tie pulled snug with pliers.

I'm not claiming victory. Some hard driving will tell if the boot stays in place. I do have every confidence that they won't split like the OG ones. If the nylon zip-tie gives up, I realize they make them in stainless steel.

[wcdennis]

in the "why didn't I think of that sooner" category, a narrow worm drive clamp makes this replacement boot bomb-proof. If dirt from a broken boot is the main failure mode of these joints, then this one should last a long time.

[Kdj]

Any other leads on lemforder lower ball joints?

[Steve M.]

Just a heads up that this store I referenced earlier is not shipping out the MOOG Ball Joint they are showing in their ad. It's another aftermarket ball joint you receive.
As soon as they arrived I shipped them back before leaving the UPS Store.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ball-Joint-Front-Lower-fo...06f6440a2d
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[dgbeatty]

Both Shockwarehouse.com and Summitracing.com show the Moogs in stock..
https://tinyurl.com/yj8msnnh
Both with shipping included, there is no FREE
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Schau in das Buch

[Wellington]

Unless you find old stock MOOG, you will be buying garbage.
Today's MOOG lower ball joints are the same crap as the others.
Lemforder is the only quality choice today.

[Christopher Schimke]

[Mac_Daddy_Westy]

Chris,

Amazing engineering and a game changer as well. I'll be your 1st batch of customers for the LBJ and UBJ, planning on lifting my 2WD auto trans Westy.

Question: as you mentioned UBJ for lifted vans, what is the "minimum" lift that would benefit from your extended UBJ?

if one is to just do a 1.5" lift, will there be a significant benefit in performance of the extended UBJ?

andre
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'87 Westy with 2.5 Subi (auto trans)

[Wellington]

Christopher, I can't image undertaking such a project. Amazing.
When I saw lower Lemforders getting scarce, I purchased 4 for the future, they are sitting on the shelf. My daughter is convinced she wants my Westfalia, and I want to be sure she will be able to keep it for many years.

[Steve M.]

Good on You Christopher!
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[4Gears4Tires]

That is awesome! Since Syncros are lifted over the 2wd (but they have different arms) would you recommend the tall versions even on stock Syncros?
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[Steve M.]

I can see the new window sticker now...T3's got BALLS
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[Christopher Schimke]

[Christopher Schimke]

[Christopher Schimke]

[Kdj]

Just had a bait and switch lemforder order show up from eEuroparts. They are headed back to where they came!
Let us know when your taking orders Chris.

[whafalia]

You had me at bespoke
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84 westie 2.2 w/ digijet, AT

[Jake de Villiers]

[ALIKA T3]