smj999smj wrote:The only ball joints I ever use are Moog. They've been around for years and are usually improved designs over stock and I've never had any problems with them regardless of what vehicle I've installed them in. Now, that said, Nissan doesn't offer ball joints for these control arms as they don't recommend replacement other than the entire arm assembly. The reason is that if one is not careful when pressing the ball joint out of in, the hole can get elongated and allow the ball joint to fall out of the arm, leaving only the snap ring keeping it together. Trust me that it does happen because I've seen it happen to Maximas and Sentras! I've also seen another problem occur with those that replace just the ball joints: they replace just the joints and will then get a wheel alignment. Often the control arm attaching bolts, be it regular bolts or eccentric bolts, will seize to the steel sleeve in the bushing, making it necessary to cut the bolt(s) and replace the control arm assembly, anyway. For what a Moog ball joint costs for the part alone, another $20 can get you a whole control arm.
thanks, great info as always!!! so i found Moog control arm assemblies that include ball joints:
RK620371 and
RK620372. could you please confirm that these are the correct ones you mentioned. i am a bit apprehensive about these particular ones, as RockAuto classifies them as "economy". i typically go at least with "daily driver", which is a level up. am i reading too much into this? thanks.