Xrf Review.

[ftpiercecracker1]

I have been in need of ball joints for the last couple of months or so and finally decided on where i was gonna get em. All figures mentioned are for a complete set, 2 upper 2 lower.

 

Local Napa, Napa brand: a little over $350 

 

Spicer: just a shade over $200 after shipping

 

Rockauto: well, they did have some for 5 bucks a piece. . . . 

 

MOOG premium: from rockauto, $250 after shipping, MOOG had a LOT of mixed reports, some love them and will use no other while others had nothing but negative things to say.

 

 

XRF: $135 AFTER shipping, every single review was resoundingly positive.

 

 

 

I did a lot of research before i went with XRF, nearly every online conversation/source said the same thing. Spicer is good, but expensive while XRF is just as good, but a lot less.

 

Their company is based out of Michigan, but i was greatly saddened to learn that their factories are located overseas. I did make me feel a little bit better when i read MADE IN TAIWAN and not China, still, wish it could have been Germany or the US.

 

Customer service was good, not awe inspiring, but . . . . effective shall we say. Shipping was quick, ordered the parts Monday, they arrived Wednesday.  First time having handled ball joints. Unlike other cheap replacement parts, that are normally made from crap, these feel well made and of good quality. Once i get them installed i will report back, probably not going to be until the following weekend (10/6/13)

 

 

  

 

 

[jimoshel]

I'd be very worried about a set of ball joints shipped in a package so plainly marked 'FRAGILE'

[Keyav8r]

Jim - it's an Italian company that makes all kinds of stuff. Pronounced fra-jil-ee. Must be one of those big conglomerates because we get shipments from them all the time on electrical components, filters, controllers, etc. - didn't know they were also into suspension components.

[HOrnbrod]

Lucked out last month and found a complete set of four NOS factory Mopar ball joints for $80 shipped on Ebay. In the factory packaging and all. I don't need them yet, but at that price I grabbed them.  :thumbsup:

[Comanchemodder]

Any update on these?

 

Thanks.

[ftpiercecracker1]

Not yet, i had a date setup to install them 2 WEEKS AGO! :wall:  But this, that, and the other thing came up and i have had to put it off. Even though i had a mechanic say they were getting worn out, i checked them for myself a few days ago and couldnt get them to move at all. Maybe that loud pop when I turn is something else . . . :hmm:

 

Either way, when i DO get around to putting them in i will do my best to update. :D

[mpace6a]

Not yet, i had a date setup to install them 2 WEEKS AGO! :wall:  But this, that, and the other thing came up and i have had to put it off. Even though i had a mechanic say they were getting worn out, i checked them for myself a few days ago and couldnt get them to move at all. Maybe that loud pop when I turn is something else . . . :hmm:

 

Either way, when i DO get around to putting them in i will do my best to update. :D

I was getting a crazy loud clunk/pop for the longest time, thought it was my ball joints, replaced them and U joints, still there. Then i suspected the swaybar links, since the bushings were so worn the drivers side was rubbing a groove into the tracbar mounting bracket. Replaced those, still there. Tie rods are next.....

[Incommando]

 

Not yet, i had a date setup to install them 2 WEEKS AGO! :wall:  But this, that, and the other thing came up and i have had to put it off. Even though i had a mechanic say they were getting worn out, i checked them for myself a few days ago and couldnt get them to move at all. Maybe that loud pop when I turn is something else . . . :hmm:

 

Either way, when i DO get around to putting them in i will do my best to update. :D

I was getting a crazy loud clunk/pop for the longest time, thought it was my ball joints, replaced them and U joints, still there. Then i suspected the swaybar links, since the bushings were so worn the drivers side was rubbing a groove into the tracbar mounting bracket. Replaced those, still there. Tie rods are next.....

Making sure you also checked  your track bar mount , particularly where the mount attaches on the frame side.

[SW86]

Moogs problem solvers from rockauto arent that expensive, even after shipping. never heard of the "premium" ones. synergys seem to be good ball joints

 

i havent had a problem out of mine ever since they've been in.

[Bornindesert]

Also went with the RockAuto Moogs, would have to check country of origin but thought they were USA .

 

Definitely agree though, Made in Taiwan generally means high quality. They are light years ahead of China, have been supplying aerospace and automotive parts for many years.

[comanchedude]

 its not like its 1950.. for many years now the manufactuing abilities of  USA,asia and mexico are on par with each other. I work in aerospace and we get engine rings that are made in china.and mexico that is what is spec. by the maufacture. the belief that US made parts are always better is not a standard and is really just perception in most cases..globally most stuff is the same..US companies have outsourced their technoligy for years so its no diffrent on old manufactuing stuff like auto parts. so don't get to worked up on were its made just get good price..I got RAYBESTOS from rock auto, the whole set for i think it was under $70.00 and they have been in service for over 5 years no problem and I wheel quite a bit. and one part number was mexico the other was US.

unfoutunatly MOST stuff is from other countries,even our president...ha ha