Hi,
Looks like I need to replace the ball joints in my 940. I put in Moog joints a couple years back when I rebuilt the front suspension and within a few months had noise in the front that has slowly gotten worse. I think I have finally tracked it down to one ball joint- there is some play in it.

Given the short lifespan of the Moog, I am pretty concerned about reliability. I think I read here that Moog was made by TRW so I thought it would be good but I do think I paid about $18 for them which probably should have told me something.

My options:
1) Genuine Volvo will cost in the low $50s taxed and shipped.
2) Lemforder will be about $40 taxed and shipped.
3) Meyle will be in upper $20s taxed and shipped.
4) TRW - I haven't found great sources but they look like low 50s also.

Given my past experience, I'm much more worried about quality than the small price differences. The Moog problem could have just been a fluke but would like to avoid it again.

Any thoughts>
Thanks!
Lyle

I'm really surprised that you may be having a problem with a MOOG ball joint.

In the past, I've always found their products to be first quality.

But...as the Jason Isbell song says...."Those were different days".

I may have falsely accused the Moog. I replaced the Moogs last weekend with Lemforder but the replacement ball joints didn't stop the noises I am hearing. I thought I had some play in them but I really don't have much experience with suspension diagnosis so I might not really have had a problem.

Thanks!

Moog is generally well regarded. Is there a grease fitting you can add grease to it?
--
Paul NW Indiana '89 744 Turbo 175K/ '90 745 turbo 145K

No zerks. I mentioned in another post that I did the replacement last weekend and it hasn't stopped the clunking I was chasing. I thought there was some play in the joints but I could have been wrong. Or maybe there were two issues.

Thanks!

You'll get TRW's in a blue box if you get them from the dealer.
--
71-145-S ; 82 245GLT ; 72-1800-ES

Yeah, these probably were TRWs originally with the TRW / CAM steering rack, huh?

Usually I would say Volvo OE, but I have seen some strange stuff (low quality) in Volvo boxes in recent years.

Lemfoerder is high quality and I've used their parts before.

Stay away from Meyle. The price is lower for a reason.

Given the choices you listed I would take Lemsforder or OEM however I am a consumer of very few suspension parts.

Lemsforder it is. Thanks!

LEMFÖRDER is owned by ZF, the same company that owns Boge.

So, if the ball joint is not made in China.

I've read articles in threads that new Meyle wear very fast and can fail.

You don't want ball joints failing at any time you drive; certainly at speed on the freeway.

You may also want to inspect both upper strut mounts.

Any cracking of the bushing material or seperation of the bushing materials from the inner bearing housing or from the outer retainer plate, that secures to the inner strut tower via the three studs you see, replace it.

As ZF-Boge of Germany does not sell in the U.S., buy two Volvo OEM PN 1272455. ZF-Boge of Germany remains the manufacturer-vendor for solid robber bushings on Volvo.

Something to consider.

cheers,

Dud.