Howdy, stephan here. Bought this as a work truck, but after a new set of AT/KO tires and some off-highway time, I'm hooked.Learned about idler arm weakness on this forum, and installed new arm and brace. Now it is time to rebuild front end( new upper and lower ball joints, tie rod ends, and all bushings)and my question regards the general opinion on stock vs. aftermarket parts. As i shop around i see prices vary greatly. Upper ball joints are from $29 for Mevotech to $75 for Sankei with Moog in the mid $50 range. Is this a case of you get what you pay for ,or are the Mevotech units of similar quality?
P.s. Stock,with ac brace and electric radiator fan. 245,000 miles. Will not be installing suspension lift.Thanks.

:smiley49 to N4W

quote:

Is this a case of you get what you pay for

Simply Yes! OEM Nissan parts are worth the money if you can afford them. Surprisingly Nissan parts are durable and last a long time. My 2wd still has the original steering components at 145K.

There are basically 2 types of auto parts store. 1) stores which sell on price. EX:Advance Auto Parts, Checker Auto Parts, Schuck's Auto Supply, Kragen Auto Parts. These stores sell on price. Normally they do not have the high line parts in the store. However they can order them in if you specifically ask for a brand.

2) Part store which sell to shops or professionals. EX, Carquest and napa. These stores only carry higher end parts. If they sell a shops poor quality parts and defective parts their clients will just go somewhere els. big money involved here.

As fare as aftermarket suspension goes MOOG is the best. When I rebuilt my front end a couple years back I got all moog parts.