When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Just got quoted 2300 (materials only) for the 2 tie rods and 2 drag links….last time I bought the same motorcaft parts it was ~650 total. Looking for advice on helping this set go the distance. How often do you grease your tie rods and how many pumps of grease do you add at a time?
Thanks
That quote is insane. $400-500 for the parts sounds about right and do all 4 at the same time if you’re going to bother.
If your steering box is old and tired it’s the right time to swap that out too.
I hit mine with 3-4 pulls on the grease gun every 5k which is halfway to oil change time, then again when oil is changed. The idea is to fill the rubber boot cavity with enough but not to break the seal to where it comes purging out and makes a mess. Feel the boot while applying grease pressure until you can feel it start to plump up slightly and that’s good enough. In a light duty application any #2 grease suitable for wheel bearing or chassis is fine but a heavy duty equipment grease with moly might be “best” for ball joints and tie rods. Next time I do the ball joints I am going to check into ones that are sealed and don’t have zerks on them. They tend to be messy where as tie rods are pretty clean if you don’t over do it.
Hhhmmmm could be time for another grease gun with moly synthetic lol the quote was retail pricing/what they would bill if you had the dealer perform the work. Below is the biggest offender considering she was 2 something last time….
Ive bought two sets of XRF now (OBS) no issues. Fit well, and work well. Can’t comment on longevity, haven’t had it long enough or enough miles yet. Both were complete front end kits, ball joints too. BJ fit well, fit tight and again no issues.
I’ve yet to read anything bad about them. I’ll use them again.
I recently (Sept 2023) installed the XRF kit. seems of great quality and no issues so far. I got it off ebay from american undercar for $329. Hopefully it will hold up as they claim.
the only thing I do not like bout the kit is the hardware for the joints (coupling). I like the oem design better but it still works. Kit comes extremely well packed and threads protected
I don't have experience with the tie rod or drag links, but I would stay away from the XRF ball joints. One failed (badly) on my truck in 15,000 miles (2 years). They did replace it free under the million mile warranty. But, even if they give me 65 more for free, I would not be interested. Neither the truck nor I will be around for 130 years to see if they stand behind their warranty!
I don't have experience with the tie rod or drag links, but I would stay away from the XRF ball joints. One failed (badly) on my truck in 15,000 miles (2 years). They did replace it free under the million mile warranty. But, even if they give me 65 more for free, I would not be interested. Neither the truck nor I will be around for 130 years to see if they stand behind their warranty!
^^^ That’s the first failure I’ve read about with XRF. Interesting to note the short life span, can’t be lack of Mtce.
I’ll still use them again. Be interesting to hear of any more failures, and I agree about the warranty - I couldn’t care less, I don’t like changing them out. Moog parts I’ve given up on, I have another one (BJ) failing with less 10k miles right now on a GM truck. Napa has a house brand with a lifetime warranty as well.
I generally find lifetime warranty parts have the shortest life span.
with XRF, the way they market it, I thought they were boasting about durability and longevity more than anything. I guess we'll see. There are bad apples and maybe he got one of them. I find it hard to believe they wouldn't even last 15K. Even a no name brand off amazon would likely survive 15K
We usually recommend spicer balljoints and moog Tierod ends it usually gives a great service life. As far as maintenance and grease goes I usually do about 2-3 pumps per Tierod end every oil change which is every 3000 miles on my trucks.
We usually recommend spicer balljoints and moog Tierod ends it usually gives a great service life. As far as maintenance and grease goes I usually do about 2-3 pumps per Tierod end every oil change which is every 3000 miles on my trucks.
I've only heard of one XRF failure but countless Moog ball joints have failed on this forum alone that I have seen. I guess you're damned if you do and damned if you don't lol
