i wouldnt say this is off the topic because it deals with suspension so i didnt put it in the pits.
my question is how is the prices for ball joints, all tie rod parts, lowering springs so cheap on ebay? i can get two ball joints for the price of one and the tie rods are cheap as hell too. is it because they dont spend money on add dollors like autozone?

ebay parts are usually cheap chinese parts made with inferior quality materials by workers in sweatshop conditions. you will pay less but they will wear out or fail much quicker than name brand stuff that has a warranty

If you're wanting to spend less for simple suspension stuff check parts dinosaur or rock parts online

there are some things you can be a cheap dick on. intakes, some exhaust bits, etc. Things that don't have the potential to kill your ass by causing a wreck. suspension components are one area where you can't afford to be a cheap dick.

Erik P.
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+1 for what Erik said.

When I shop ebay I ALWAYS ask the vendor where the parts were manufactured. Even if the Chinese stuff is CNC machined I stay clear of it because I know they have little or no quality control and usually use a cheap, inferior metal. Just a heads up.

agreed with everyone else, alot of stuff on ebay is made in foreign countrys that are less supereior in quality, but if it works it works, now those cheap coil springs setups, i would never use, from what ive seen there spring rate are crap and unequal on every corner ect

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If you think your life is worth risking to save $300 on cheap suspension components, by all means go with the knock off crap. Please just stay away from me while you are flying down the highway.

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no, i was just wondering. i wouldnt buy stuff like that. i was just looking at them and pondering. I would look into what i buy first becuase my suspension is spent bad and im going to rock out a whole new set up. i want to feel safe diving in the rain again.

I agree with everyone I got new lower and upper controls arms, inner and outter tie rod ends in a kit off ebay for like $350 shipped and it was a bad mistake the parts have rusted and I have 8000 miles on these and now im hearing pops from the ball joints and have a new vibration on the highway so im guessing ill be replacing these parts soon.

Also I bought wheel bearings both side brand new they were like $60 shipped and I was thinking man I only need one but for that price im going to go for it well I put 2000 miles on them and went to a shop to check my alignment and the alignment was good but the wheel bearings were shot they had a ton of play in them.

So I have learned my lesson and as a person who has used a ton of parts off ebay I will say most of the parts have been great but suspension isnt a good idea unless they are from a known manufacturer.


Just my 2 cents.

Moog makes good suspension parts for our cars but be prepared to pay the price. Dorman is also good for replacement compression arms.

Timken, National, Skf... for wheel bearings. I have National myself and have held up well.

You also have to watch for the fake Ebay items, there the ones that say name brand but are actually the cheap stuff with a name brand plate welded onto them. Seen that too many times on there.