Hey there...its time for ball joints, actually i think they've been due for a while but Im just getting around to it now at 70k mi. After lots of searches and thread reading I've decided to go with the Raybestos (Spicer) Pro grade BJs. Looks like RockAuto has the best price I can find.

I know I need to replace the Yellow Oring, hub/knuckle seal and dust seals. And for good measure, Im going to also replace the autolock hub orings too. My question is, do I need to go OEM? I can save money and shipping by getting the SKF brand equivelants from RA. But if the quality lacks in comparison to OEM, then its worth to me to spend the extra $60 or so bucks to get the factory stuff. Are SKF seals as good or better than OEM?

Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated.

Cheers.
L Train

BTW - 2004 F350 CCLB, 70Kmi, 2.5" level kit, 315/75R16 Duratracs

 

Hope your is not like mine was all rusted together. I had to get a big puller/sleg hammer to get the wheel bearings off. Iv never Beat a vehicle that hard to get it apart.. so start soaking it with PB Blaster ahead of time

I got all the smaller seals from oreilys

The big knuckle seal was a dealer item only. And there are updated Axel Tube seals from what I understand those might be a dealer only item to IDK. Its the one thats usually just hanging there on the inner axel right before the U-joint

Oreilys has a pitman arm separater that works perfict for separating the Tie Rod End from the steering knuckle without Damaging the tierod Boot