The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > General Truck Forums > All 4x4 Tech & Off Roading

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-11-2018, 02:10 AM   #1
Blazerowner
Senior Member
 
Blazerowner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Yuba City, Ca
Posts: 1,919
D44 Balljoint opinions

So I’m getting close to being done with my lift install and I had my differentials rebuilt. The one thing I left for myself was the ball joints. I’ve done some research and there are a lot of different opinions on quality. I have a set of spicers I bought from Summit. Most people say they are great others say they don’t last. I have also looked at Dynatrac rebuildable ball joints but it looks like they are for newer Jeep 44s. I am unsure if they fit my application as they don’t list it. I honestly would pay the premium for them but I may have to call to see if they fit. I will probably not wheel my Blazer but I do want a quality long lasting ball joint. What is the experience for just normal driving? The spicers I have are smooth and not knurled like the Moog brand that seem to be garbage now days.
__________________
Kirk
72 Blazer CST 4wd highlander
66 Nova
Blazerowner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2018, 09:26 AM   #2
obijuan
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: cibolo tx
Posts: 1,033
Re: D44 Balljoint opinions

I install ball joints almost daily at my shop. I do not deviate from spicer for anything with 35s or under. They are perfect for that.
No wheelin on 37s and they are good too. As a shop rule we do not install moog. Especially ball joints.
The jk has a different part number but I dont know what is different about them.
__________________
1985 k5 396/nv4500/203/205 d60/d70 4.56 42 sx2
1991 V3500 350/4l80/205 60/14 4.10 35 toyos.
obijuan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2018, 02:06 AM   #3
Blazerowner
Senior Member
 
Blazerowner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Yuba City, Ca
Posts: 1,919
Re: D44 Balljoint opinions

I haven’t been able to figure out the difference either on the Jeep setup. I have the spicer ball joints and they seem fine. I will probably install them as soon as I get my knuckles cleaned up. I don’t plan do much if any off-roading and at most will have 33s or 34 inch tires. Mostly just for cruising and fun.
__________________
Kirk
72 Blazer CST 4wd highlander
66 Nova
Blazerowner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2018, 08:19 PM   #4
abig84
Registered User
 
abig84's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: wheaton IL
Posts: 659
Re: D44 Balljoint opinions

Quote:
Originally Posted by obijuan View Post
I install ball joints almost daily at my shop. I do not deviate from spicer for anything with 35s or under. They are perfect for that.
No wheelin on 37s and they are good too. As a shop rule we do not install moog. Especially ball joints.
The jk has a different part number but I dont know what is different about them.
Just curious why you have a issue with moog? I always hated them because the grease fighting holes were never tapped right and had to fight to get them in also remember getting the boots to sit properly was a issue.

Did buy a moog idler for my 1990 that's outlasted everything else though
abig84 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2018, 08:34 PM   #5
obijuan
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: cibolo tx
Posts: 1,033
Re: D44 Balljoint opinions

Because I will have to do them for free next time.
__________________
1985 k5 396/nv4500/203/205 d60/d70 4.56 42 sx2
1991 V3500 350/4l80/205 60/14 4.10 35 toyos.
obijuan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2018, 09:04 PM   #6
GSP7
Registered User
 
GSP7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Idaho
Posts: 621
Re: D44 Balljoint opinions

My experience with moogs is they wear out fast
__________________
'81 K20 Silverado , '99 Dodge Cummins 4x4, '05 Dodge Cummins 4x4,

Pinstriping-Lettering-Specialty Painting
GSP7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-16-2018, 02:31 AM   #7
Blazerowner
Senior Member
 
Blazerowner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Yuba City, Ca
Posts: 1,919
Re: D44 Balljoint opinions

The Moog are gnarled and are larger than the original from what I have seen online. I don’t have a mic or I would measure them. Maybe I’ll grab one off amazon. I bought a set before buying the spicer and didn’t want this but haven’t returned them yet. I’m not sure why they don’t offer a smooth housing honestly. From research people say it is because the knuckles can enlarge. Just seems odd since You can buy new knuckles. Everyone says once you use the moog it enlarges the bore and you cannot go back to smooth balljoints.
__________________
Kirk
72 Blazer CST 4wd highlander
66 Nova
Blazerowner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2018, 07:40 AM   #8
OLDCHEV4X4
Registered User
 
OLDCHEV4X4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Chester County PA, USA
Posts: 1,228
Re: D44 Balljoint opinions

I have been using AC Delco lately (3 seasons). It says Made in USA on the box. They look just like Moog, gold color, blue boot.
I like the fact that they are greasable, so if any contaminants get in I can flush em out. One draw back is that you have to remove the axle shaft to grease the upper ball joint.
I have used the Spicers too with no complaints except that they are not greasable. When i finally did have to replace them, they were not sloppy. They were seized up from water infiltration.

So i guess it depends on what your doing with your truck. If it doesn't see mud and water ..Spicer. If it does....AC Delco/Moog.
__________________
72 k/10 short wideside
72 k/5 Blazer
72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer
72 custom/10 8' bed
70 K/5 Blazer
67 C-30 GMC Flat bed
86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck
85 GMC K3500
84 M1008
85 M1008
77 G30 Motor Home
72 Sears 12hp Tractor
Glenmoore, Pennsylvania
OLDCHEV4X4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2018, 03:39 AM   #9
Blazerowner
Senior Member
 
Blazerowner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Yuba City, Ca
Posts: 1,919
Re: D44 Balljoint opinions

Are the AC Delco knurled? This was my turn off with the Moog brand. They were not gold and had a black boot. They also were U S made. Not sure on the spicer but most other parts I have from them are U S made.
__________________
Kirk
72 Blazer CST 4wd highlander
66 Nova
Blazerowner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2018, 07:22 AM   #10
OLDCHEV4X4
Registered User
 
OLDCHEV4X4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Chester County PA, USA
Posts: 1,228
Re: D44 Balljoint opinions

Yes, the AC Delco ball joints had a strait knurl. I didnt see a draw back to having it. I removed a knurled one, and put a knurled one in....both were nice and tight.
I think there are 2 grades of Moog ball joints. Black boot and blue boot.
I got my AC Delco joints at rockauto.
__________________
72 k/10 short wideside
72 k/5 Blazer
72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer
72 custom/10 8' bed
70 K/5 Blazer
67 C-30 GMC Flat bed
86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck
85 GMC K3500
84 M1008
85 M1008
77 G30 Motor Home
72 Sears 12hp Tractor
Glenmoore, Pennsylvania
OLDCHEV4X4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2018, 11:20 PM   #11
Blazerowner
Senior Member
 
Blazerowner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Yuba City, Ca
Posts: 1,919
Re: D44 Balljoint opinions

I haven’t heard anything bad necessarily about the knurlig, but mine had the stock smooth bore and I wanted to keep it. I know people have mentioned once you press the knurled ones in you have to use the same next time.
So I have installed the Spicer BJs and they went in no issue. The following sequence was used to torque them. 70ft lbs on the bottom nut. I used my jack to put tension on the knuckle to get it tight. Next was the sleeve to 70 then the castle nut to 100. I’ve seen 50 on the sleeve but I used the directions in the link below. The knuckles are not binding and seem smooth. I will be getting a fish scale to test them but it doesn’t feel like more than 25lbs when I turn them.

I lost the three nuts for the steering arm on the knuckle. I’ll have to figure out who sells them.

https://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billa...Balljoints.pdf
__________________
Kirk
72 Blazer CST 4wd highlander
66 Nova

Last edited by Blazerowner; 08-22-2018 at 11:34 PM.
Blazerowner is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:54 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com