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Can someone recommend a QUALITY BALL JOINT!!!

MooseXMooseX
Just finished putting my all new front end together on my IM.
My steering went from fine to ridiculously STIFF...stiffer than a german schoolboy on prom nite'. Very frustrating.

Everything during the ball joint install was done to spec. All marks lined up and done with the proper press by reliable bug shop folks

Before you ask the alignment is correct. I also replace the steering box/tie rod/steering damp' assembly. That's all OK and rotates easily. New wheel bearings spin nicely as well. The beam has plenty of grease too.

I popped off the tie rods and lower shock mounts to check the ball joints and sure enough the spindles take an amazing effort to rotate. It's very obvious what the culprit is. Damn cheap VW parts. Purchased ball joint set from AC.Net.

I got 2 different responses> Bilstein and MOOG ball joints. Any opinions welcome. At this point I'm considering fully assembled trailing arms as the in/out shop press fees are starting to add up. Not to mention the time factor of back and forth to the shop.

ps I take full responsibilty for not researching for the quality parts to begin with. I'm the dumbass but now I gotta' fix it

1957 Intermeccanica(Roadster)

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MooseXMooseX
Just finished putting my all new front end together on my IM.
My steering went from fine to ridiculously STIFF...stiffer than a german schoolboy on prom nite'. Very frustrating.

Everything during the ball joint install was done to spec. All marks lined up and done with the proper press by reliable bug shop folks

Before you ask the alignment is correct. I also replace the steering box/tie rod/steering damp' assembly. That's all OK and rotates easily. New wheel bearings spin nicely as well. The beam has plenty of grease too.

I popped off the tie rods and lower shock mounts to check the ball joints and sure enough the spindles take an amazing effort to rotate. It's very obvious what the culprit is. Damn cheap VW parts. Purchased ball joint set from AC.Net.

I got 2 different responses> Bilstein and MOOG ball joints. Any opinions welcome. At this point I'm considering fully assembled trailing arms as the in/out shop press fees are starting to add up. Not to mention the time factor of back and forth to the shop.

ps I take full responsibilty for not researching for the quality parts to begin with. I'm the dumbass but now I gotta' fix it
FM Former Member
Barne, I have had pretty good luck with the OEM VW ones on my car. I know that's not MOOG or Bilstein, but maybe your set was just pressed badly in the past, or not with enough pressure.

I am pretty sure the spec was something ridiculous, like 16,000 lbs. or something, but the last time mine were done was in 2001 and she's doing okay in the steering department.
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