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Are all Ball Joints Created Equal?
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AndyBees
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 4:37 pm    Post subject: Ball joint s Reply with quote

I purchased the Meyle HD about five years ago, but did not install them until summer of 2012.

I cannot say for sure if they were German or Chinese Junk ..

I'll let you know how well they last.........
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jabowman
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 4:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

jabowman wrote:
Sooooo....

I order a full set of ball joint a few months ago, hadn't put them in yet. Read this thread and realized I had bought the wrong kind (Meyle HD). The LBJs don't even fit in the spindle (yeah, I know they are supposed to be pressed).

Then I read this:

http://www.wagenswest.com/how_to/bus_vanagon_ball_comparison.php

Super helpful. I just ordered a new set from Rock Auto because I want the Moog/Lemforder or OE ones. They had UBJs for $15! They looked exactly the same as the Lemforder/Moog ones (same color springs, shape, boot, everything). I ordered 2 just to check it out. This is what I got:

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What are these? One looks EXACTLY like the Moog ones. The other is similar but different. Based on the label on the bag I am wondering if it isn't an OE VW one? Dang it, I wanted 2 of the same ones!!!

I hope someone will help me figure this out because if they are Lemforder or OE, I just found them for $15 a piece. Unreal...


come on, anyone? I'm thinking the one with the white plastic cover is Lemforder. It looks identical to every photo of a lemforder joint I can find.
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jabowman
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 4:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

oh, great. I ordered Moog LBJs hoping for Lemforders. This is what I got. WTF?

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jimeg
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 7:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

OK. Just discovered this thread. I've already purchased made in Spain Febi lower BJ's(I cannot type that and keep a straight face) and am now after reading this thread considering ordering Moog lowers instead. Anyone have any feedback on the Febi lowers? Going Moog for the uppers.
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Merian
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 3:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Where can you buy the Lemforder upper ball joints?
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Pascal
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 6:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Merian wrote:
Where can you buy the Lemforder upper ball joints?

I bought mine from the gowesty + 10% site
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Steve M.
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 9:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pascal wrote:
Merian wrote:
Where can you buy the Lemforder upper ball joints?

I bought mine from the gowesty + 10% site


OH! So you bought the last pair!

I had to settle for the lowers only! Very Happy
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Pascal
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 2:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Steve M. wrote:
Pascal wrote:
Merian wrote:
Where can you buy the Lemforder upper ball joints?

I bought mine from the gowesty + 10% site


OH! So you bought the last pair!

I had to settle for the lowers only! Very Happy


Actually I gave one of my two to a friend and when I went to order another one they were sold out last summer. They got more in last fall so I picked one up. If you can wait, just keep checking back. I did find other sources on line but cannot remember where...but gowesty has the free shipping so I went with them.
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Wellington
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 5:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

May or may not be related.
I changed the lower ball joint on my wife's 2006 Honda Accord 2 years ago, went to the auto parts and had a choice of brands, I went with Moog, which had a life time warranty, that was two years ago, and about 30000 kilometers. I just had to change it again.......f%^& the lifetime warranty, I bought an original Honda lower ball joint, only cost about $10 more, but the original lasted 160000 kms. Other side was now showing signs of wear too so changed it also with original Honda, it lasted 190000 kms
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Steve M.
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 6:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pascal wrote:
Steve M. wrote:
Pascal wrote:
Merian wrote:
Where can you buy the Lemforder upper ball joints?

I bought mine from the gowesty + 10% site


OH! So you bought the last pair!

I had to settle for the lowers only! Very Happy


Actually I gave one of my two to a friend and when I went to order another one they were sold out last summer. They got more in last fall so I picked one up. If you can wait, just keep checking back. I did find other sources on line but cannot remember where...but gowesty has the free shipping so I went with them.


Thanks for that feedback. I'm getting set to redo the suspension so I guess I'll press in the lower joints and wait on the uppers as they are still good and being easier to change when they come back into stock.
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backyardbob
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 07, 2014 8:32 am    Post subject: grease fittings Reply with quote

I went with 4 Moog joints on the front end. Opened them up and found a very small dab of grease, so I carefully drilled, tapped and slipped in a small magnet and came out with a few small chips, then installed the zerks. I also pulled the manual steering rack and found, after about 200K, barely a smear of grease on the rack. I cleaned it and flushed it and drilled out for a zerk about in the middle of the rack. Before I put the new bellows I pumped grease until it just showed at either end. I also built a tool to reset the lash in the rack....surprisingly little wear between the rack and pinion. Be careful when you grease the ball joints as there is no exit for the grease!! I'm thinking of making a small puncture with a small hot needle on the backside of the boot to relieve the pressure of the grease... anyone tried this?? Thanks
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AndyBees
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 2:11 am    Post subject: Re: Ball joint s Reply with quote

AndyBees wrote:
I purchased the Meyle HD about five years ago, but did not install them until summer of 2012.

I cannot say for sure if they were German or Chinese Junk ..

I'll let you know how well they last.........



Update: Well, they (Meyle Ball Joints ^^^) are Chinese Junk!

Over the last two weeks a "squeak" has developed in the right front suspension. Upon inspection, it is the top Ball Joint ....... about 15k miles and it's junk!
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borninabus
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 12:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

thevannmann wrote:
Anyone have experience with Flennor joints?

x2

i gots me some Flennor Brand joints.
anyone...
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Mark Lewalski
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PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2014 7:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

So I am needing to replace the passenger side upper ball joint. I bought a set of Moog UBJs... from Amazon @ $31 each!

Before I install them, I am wondering what the outcome of the zerc fitting mod has been. Do the owners who have done that mod feel that it has worked? What leads them to think that?

Thanks,
Mark
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Terry Kay
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PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2014 7:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

A shot of grease at service time on the ball joints sure beats no grease forever--

There isn't any downside to adding a zerk to the ball joints.
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Mark Lewalski
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PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2014 9:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's a good point Terry...

I can't really see a downside either and the possible benefits probably far outweigh the small amount of work to add the zerks.

Thanks,
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Terry Kay
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PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2014 10:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There was a time in Automotive history that all suspension components had zerk fittings.

The mfg's figured that by saving a dime on each part they don't have to add grease fittings to will make them millions in one less operation, plus they'll have faster repeat business.
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hans j
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 12:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have the Febi lower ball joints on mine and they have play after about 15,000 miles.

Somehow my work decided the Delphi LBJ would be ok to sell and they are bad after only a few thousand miles. Soooo we are replacing all of them under warranty Sad

I'm thinking of installing the TRW LBJ next, they have a 3 year 36000 mile warranty.

My Lemfodor upper ball joints are holding up great after the same 15000 miles.

Any other new developments with ball joints?
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MarkWard
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 12:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just installed some Febi lowers on my syncro. What I noticed was the lip that you would press against to install them was not strong enough and started to distort against the resistance of the press fit. I removed the boot and was able to press against the thicker part of the ball joint.

The lowers also need to be indexed properly.

I recall another thread where someone had a shop install the lowers and could not fit the circlip back. I checked both the original and supplied circlips and they both fit. I am thinking for the other poster that maybe the shop installing them, may have accidentally distorted the flange keeping them from seating 100%.

It will be some time before I get some miles on these though.
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Christopher Schimke
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 12:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hans j wrote:

Any other new developments with ball joints?


Not really new, but the Moog lower ball joints are identical to the Lemforder joints. In fact, I am pretty sure that they are in fact the same joint. Made in Germany too! I (and many customers) have been getting many, many miles out of them.
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