Julian
Hi all,
Doing a driveshaft rebuild at the moment and wondering if this is excessive play in the sway bar end link ball joints. Video is of me prying sway bar with hammer. It looks to be minimal, but is any noticeable slack too much? Both sides are about the same. Car has receipts for new end links at some point in the past but quality of the replacement unknown
Ex850R
Rockauto has proper MOOG brand droplinks, they have grease nipples which are fantastic, the material is much thicker than so called HD ones from IPD which are shite.
The nipples need to be take out of the (top or bottom, I forget) when not being greased up, plugs put in as its tight fit when driving but we'll worth the purchase.
These parts wear out as quick as the top mounts/bearings, check ball joints too.
If the have alloy LCAs, buy new ball joints.
If no alloy ones, buy used ones.
Get Kaplhenke LCA mount bushes.
Julian
Ok thanks, but does the amount of slack in that video indicate worn joints, or is a small amount of movement normal?
jamesinc
It's a ball joint, so it shouldn't have any slack.
Julian
Righto, thanks. Have ordered some new moog ones and also new outer tie rod ends since mine have ripped boots. All greasable which is good. Hopefully between the new sway bar end links and driveshaft rebuild I get rid of some of my bumps and rattles.
Ex850R
Strut tops? HD ones. Bearing too. Get quality.
Julian
I found receipts for at least one strut mount replacement in the bunch of receipts previous owner gave me, and there is no free rotation at tops yet so I'm gonna try doing these first and maybe look elsewhere if problems persist.
Ex850R
They don't last long.
Biggest wear item on car.
Philia_Bear
Ex850R;c-143065 wroteThey don't last long.
Biggest wear item on car.
I replace more sway bar links than strut tops
But yeah
5 years max on the strut tops generally
Ghettobird
Things toast, replace it fo sho
Julian
New links arrived today. I guess I didn't really know how the greasable ball joints would work, but it seems sort of strange that the rubber boot is able to just be peeled back from the joint. Do you just need to pump this with grease until it leaks out the gap between the boot and the body of the joint?
850AWD
Does the Moog have adjustable length?
Julian
No, mine are fixed length
jamesinc
Yes, you pump grease in until you see it oozing out around the seals
ToomanyVolvos
jamesinc;c-143593 wroteYes, you pump grease in until you see it oozing out around the seals
This design seems like going back to the 1950's with the need to service these a few times a year, plus the inevitable wear from dust / grit. If other ball joints on cars last 100-200K why is it these flog out so much? I'm not keen on this design, anyone found other brands to last?
jamesinc
I don't know. I've never had ones with grease nipples, and mine have always sealed. I use these ones
https://www.ipdusa.com/products/4760/110127-hd-front-sway-bar-end-link
850AWD
Do you think there is too much play in mine ;)
I just happened to change mine yesterday...
Spac
"Sealed for life" is really the manufacturer saying "the balance of production cost vs vs service time vs warranty claims works for us".
The old style greasable joints are generally higher quality and will last pretty much forever if you keep the maintenance up to them.
Depends on your priorities, really.
If I owned those links, I would happily fit them and make the greasing process a part of the oil change.
Ex850R
I've used them cos all other ones are rubbish!
You need to source a plug for the nipple end that fouls. Swap it once you fill it and in service, put it back in
You will see which end as I honestly don't remember!
Well worth it over changing crap ones out all the time.
Adjustable, rose jointed ones will flog out quick reckon.
Julian
Yeah it just seemed like the rubber boots don't seal super tight against the body of the joint, especially where it meets the bar, but obviously these guys are making them like this for a reason so you think they'd work. Happy to grease them a couple of times a year, and given the age of the car and the relatively low km I do I'm hoping these last forever.
Did you just find a plug at a car parts shop or something?