Balljoints & Tierods Q

Matt94GT · Apr 15, 2011

2 part question. I want to think ahead here.

Tierods.
Mine were squeeking pretty bad three summers ago, I have not had an issue since I injected some lube into the outer? tierod joint boot?

Im afraid that they are probably now getting dirty from the small incision I made and will start causing issues again soon.
What should I replace them with when the time comes? Keep in mind my car is pretty damn low, about 2.25" in the front. I am running offset rack bushings, as far as I can remember.

Im also thinking a bumpsteer kit...?

Balljoints.
I would like to replace these at the same time, might as well while im in there. I was going to get 03 Cobra A arms a few years back when they were $160ish they are now $300...at that time it was cheaper then getting new balljoints and getting them pressed, but now its doesn't really matter. I know the Steeda X2 were popular YEARS ago before the 03 cobra a-arm fad came in, just wondering what you all think my best option is for this, keeping in mind my low ride hight.

ps: for what its worth right now my car loves to follow tracks on very worn roads...

Slykin · Apr 15, 2011

Are you doing this yourself or are you taking it to a shop? I'd personally recommend Federal Mogul Problem Solver balljoints, they are substantially more heavy duty than the stock ones. I've had mine in for at least 10k with absolutely no problems.. though that doesn't mean much. As for the Tie-rods, I have no clue.

rz5.0 · Apr 15, 2011

Looks like you have a bump steer kit. So you dont have an outer tie rod.you r pic points to the ball joint

330CubeGt · Apr 15, 2011

Ball joints are roughly $30 for both i just did the inners/outers and balljoints and picked up a kit on ebay for everything for $75 SHIPPED and installed myself. If you have the correct tools to press in the BJ you should be able to do it all at home in 2Hrs and just take it up to get aligned after the fact. Just remember to count the amount of turns you take the bump steer kit off the inner so when you put it back on its damn close to the same spot it will make driving the car to get aligned alot easier.

Matt94GT · Apr 16, 2011

Slykin said:
Are you doing this yourself or are you taking it to a shop? I'd personally recommend Federal Mogul Problem Solver balljoints, they are substantially more heavy duty than the stock ones. I've had mine in for at least 10k with absolutely no problems.. though that doesn't mean much. As for the Tie-rods, I have no clue.

More then likely ill get my friend at his shop to do it. Or a suspension place, that is if I get a bumpsteer kit as well.

rz5.0 said:
Looks like you have a bump steer kit. So you dont have an outer tie rod.you r pic points to the ball joint

That pic is not mine, I do NOT have a bumpsteer kit. I just realized that pic I posted has a aftermarket K member so ignore it lol.

Help me clear this up with the pic below (off steedas site)

Correct me if im wrong:
#1 = Bumpsteer kit, which replaces the outer tie-rod, which replaces the issue I have with the squeek (OEM has a boot...correct? I swear this is where I injected the lube)

#2 = Balljoint (OEM do NOT have a grease nipple/non greaseable?)

I was thinking of getting a bumpsteer kit as it would solve my need to replace my outer tie-rod ends? Hows the bumpsteer kit work exactly? I know it corrects the geometry but looking at the above pic I dont really notice it?

I was thinking:
Bumpsteer Kit
X2 Steeda Bushings

but not sure. also like I said this is just research so when the time comes I can replace them. no point in doing anything I assume until I get the popping from the balljoints or more issues with the inner tie rods (there ok as of now) right?

ryclef331 · Apr 16, 2011

You outer tie rods or bumpsteer kit can be replaced very easily without much labor. Balljoints are a different story. You can do the steeda X2's but unless you're planning on using them to lower the car, a set of MOOG balljoints from the parts store are your best bet. Federal Moguls are ok...MOOG is top quality. You can use a balljoint press that will make life VERY easy...or a BFH (BIG F**KING HAMMER). The hammer method takes some finesse to not mess up anything.

Matt94GT · Apr 16, 2011

Ok I was under the assumption I had to take most of it apart for the bumpsteer kit, maybe ill do that first then.

I thought the X2 steedas were made for cars that are lowered? If its all just a crock im sure the MOOG's are a lot cheaper. And yes ill use a press

Slykin · Apr 16, 2011

ryclef331 said:
You outer tie rods or bumpsteer kit can be replaced very easily without much labor. Balljoints are a different story. You can do the steeda X2's but unless you're planning on using them to lower the car, a set of MOOG balljoints from the parts store are your best bet. Federal Moguls are ok...MOOG is top quality. You can use a balljoint press that will make life VERY easy...or a BFH (BIG F**KING HAMMER). The hammer method takes some finesse to not mess up anything.

Pretty sure MOOG is a sub-branch of Federal Mogul or the same thing. So, if you get Federal Mogul it's really a MOOG. At least that's what I understood from the Federal Mogul Website. If i'm wrong feel free to correct me.

Insayne · Apr 16, 2011

federal mogul is the marketing company. they market moog, national bearing and seal, fel pro gaskets and so on. The moog problem solvers are stout. I would go with a bumpsteer kit and find the thread where handz came up with a far improved end for the kit for the best outer tie rod setup as for a ball joint i cant say anything about the x2's but the moogs should do very well.

Matt94GT · Apr 16, 2011

Insayne said:
federal mogul is the marketing company. they market moog, national bearing and seal, fel pro gaskets and so on. The moog problem solvers are stout. I would go with a bumpsteer kit and find the thread where handz came up with a far improved end for the kit for the best outer tie rod setup as for a ball joint i cant say anything about the x2's but the moogs should do very well.

thanks hopefully he will chime in here.

rz5.0 · Apr 16, 2011

Bumpsteet is real easy to replace scince your there you should think about the inners.
Im kind of cheap so I always get the store brand with life time waranty I dont mind since I replace my self and im always switching something aroud so I replacle even if not needed just cause I dont have pay for it.

Shifty Powers · Apr 16, 2011

i posted about this like 2 weeks ago.. and got one response lol.. damn.. well this helps me out a tad..

ill prolly get the bumpsteer kit and the X2 balljoints.. but do i have to get the balljoints if i go with a new LCA from MM??? prolly do..
What about Billet Steering Rack Bushings from steeda? Seems like it makes sense, but will that kill a kinda DD car that will hopefully see auto-x and open tracking?

Guess i can just talk to MM

Slykin · Apr 16, 2011

I got the solid steering rack bushings for my car that I DD 50miles min. a day.. NO problems at all with the bushings and they take away a bit of the "smush" in the steering. I highly recommend them.

Insayne · Apr 16, 2011

same here i have solid rack bushings. ill never go back. i got the MM set

rz5.0 · Apr 17, 2011

Shifty Powers said:
i posted about this like 2 weeks ago.. and got one response lol.. damn.. well this helps me out a tad..

ill prolly get the bumpsteer kit and the X2 balljoints.. but do i have to get the balljoints if i go with a new LCA from MM??? prolly do..
What about Billet Steering Rack Bushings from steeda? Seems like it makes sense, but will that kill a kinda DD car that will hopefully see auto-x and open tracking?

Guess i can just talk to MM

If you get new a arms they should come with ball joints. Lca's go in the rear.

red95r · Apr 17, 2011

I just finished doing front end work. I put in the MOOG problem solvers. These things make OEM look pathetic. I should've done the tie-rods but ran out of money.

Shifty Powers · Apr 17, 2011

rz5.0 said:
Shifty Powers said:

i posted about this like 2 weeks ago.. and got one response lol.. damn.. well this helps me out a tad..

ill prolly get the bumpsteer kit and the X2 balljoints.. but do i have to get the balljoints if i go with a new LCA from MM??? prolly do..
What about Billet Steering Rack Bushings from steeda? Seems like it makes sense, but will that kill a kinda DD car that will hopefully see auto-x and open tracking?

Guess i can just talk to MM

Click to expand...

If you get new a arms they should come with ball joints. Lca's go in the rear.

yes but then the X2 would still be better probably than what comes with it.. And you knew what i meant, i knew what i meant. Fronts are still control arms.. just FRONT control arms, sorry, not lower. I know lower is in the rear. But thank you

And thank you all for the input on the solid bushings

Matt94GT · Apr 18, 2011

Thanks guys, Ill check out some local pricing on MOOG, if its near the same price as the X2 might as well go that route I assume?

Also yeah I might as well do inner tierods while im under there, thats what I was getting at I would rather replace stuff while its apart and Im in there.

Are there different choices for inner tirerods?