Lower ball and tie rods - OEM or not

[Ghostrider]

Just looking for opinions on OEM versus aftermarket. Probably going to do it soon (only 120K miles). Dealership price is about 450 for both sides and new rubber bellows..

 

[JayRolla]

You can find OEM parts a lot cheaper online. I went OEM outer tie rods, upper ball joints, and lower ball joints. They are all solid as a rock.

I installed an aftermarket rack and pinion that had replacement inner tie rod ends. They where loose in a week. I then installed my one good oem with 240k miles and a new MOOG inner tie rod on the other side. Its been a few months and old OEM is solid. New moog is loose as hell. Cant even get it aligned. I will being buying oem inners soon. They are $130 a piece online but will be well worth it.

 

[Mynameistommy510]

YES OEM!!!! Search ball joint failures on here. You will find a ton of regrets from going with aftermarket.

 

[kolelt]

Have duralast for 15k+ dd still solid. But when I do have to replace it. I'll go oem next time. As of now it's perfect.

 

[LittleCaesar]

If you can afford the OEM, get them. The only place I would skimp are OEM inner tie rods.

Now if the dealership is using new OEM LBJs, ITRs and OTRs including new bellows, take that price and run with it. The parts alone off the Web are more than that. Don't forget an alignment.

Also use new bolts for the LBJs to thread into the knuckle. Part # 90080-10066. Need 8. 59ft/lb with blue loctite.