I really shouldn't have to tell any you this since it should be common sense among us, but I just wanted to post up about the cheap made in china driveworks parts sold at advance auto.

While restoring my car, the one and only time I ever cheaped out on anything was the balljoints. They hadn't been replaced in the time I had owned the car and looked like they had a bit of age so I grabbed the el cheapos from Advance.

We pressed them in while doing my suspension kit (Lowered 1.5" so nothing extreme) and they worked fine for a couple months. Then, an obnoxious creaking noise started coming from the front left of my car whenever the suspension traveled or the wheel was turned. I suspected the balljoint was the problem but wasn't sure. When the passenger side started doing the same thing there was no doubt. I tried greasing them and they shut up for a couple days then went back to their creaking routine.

I ordered a set of proforged joints (Which I will be doing a review on once they have had a couple months to prove themselves. Their parts seem to be of real top quality), and threw my car on jackstands today in my friend's driveway. Got the passenger side joint out and immediately saw at least part of the reason for the noise. The dust boot had failed by lifting off the base cup and allowed water inside. Same thing with the driver side one but here is the real kicker. When I went around with the press tool to remove the driver side joint there was no need to because it had worked it's way out of the control arm . I know there is a possibility the control arm could have an enlarged hole and will be keeping an eye on it but for now I suspect poor quality.

First and last time I ever skimp and buy cheap off the shelf parts from chain auto stores.

Slap myself

 

moog problem solvers...the only option IMO

 

Don't get me wrong. I agree moog is great but I have been seeing alot of mixed reviews on them lately.

I was impressed with the quality of the proforged joints. The dust boots were very secure and quality. The ballstuds are also made of 4140. Their front end rebuild kit is the same way and if these joints prove themselves I'm getting that as well.

I've seen people on the A-body forums swear by their stuff so I gave them a go. Fingers crossed...

 

i worked for advance....driveworks is a pos....stick with moog definitely

 

I did too. that's why I said slap myself for getting them.

 

Im very happy with my moog's. I unfortunately had to go with an oversize so i paid a tad extra. But its a minor cost when youre dropping 2000 on your suspension

 

why would you "cheap-out" on a parts so difficult to replace?

 

No offense intended but have you ever replaced these before? It's not a part you can swap in 5 minutes, no. But these were actually very easy to replace. As a matter of fact I found it a rather interesting learning experience.

And this is coming from someone who had never done it before (When we did the suspension my friend did everything on the front of the car and I did everything on back including the LCARBS) and had the car in a driveway on jackstands and no I did not need to use a spring compressor either.

 

If it turns out to be the control arm and the proforged works its way out I'm going to spot weld the stupid thing.

 

My local machine shop presses mine in for me and they always spot weld them in.

 

I currently work for Advance and i diffidently would recommend the Moog every time, I've been there replacing those driveworks parts and the cheap price isn't worth it. Ever since Moog bought out trw and national(i believe) they have been a little hit and miss because i have seen a couple cheaper trw chassis parts be repackaged into Moog boxes. But really anything is better than driveworks IMO lol.

 

Especially with a ball joint.

 

2nd that (I know I'm extra late) Drive works is an "Economy" Part.