Bad Aftermarket Ball Joints

[GeneP]

At about 110K mile the right side ball joints went bad on my 2000 Sonoma 4x4 (Wheel Hubs too). Anyhow I replaced the upper & lower right side and didn't even get it off the jackstands before I realized that the lower ball joint was so tight I couldn't hardly turn the wheel. Took it off and stuck it in a vise and yep, it was siezed up tighter than you know what. Took it back to the parts store, got a replacement & stuck it on. Less than 6 months later I again hear the cracking on the right side when turning the wheel. I'm sure its the ball joint & not the hood hindge. Anybody heard of any batches of bad joints?? Don't know who the manufacturer was.

Wife's 97 jimmy needs ball joints real soon too and would hate to go through the same thing.

Gene

[rlith]

Silly question, buttttt... Did you grease the ball joint when you put it on.... Usually I use TRW or MOOG Both good brands with lifetime warranty...

[GeneP]

Yes I did grease them. I don't remember them being either one of those brands but I'm gonna go back to the store to find out before I replace them again.

Gene

[BlazerLT]

You need to grease your front end every 5000 miles.