an easily moved ball joint is half way to failure IME. Same with any joint like tie rod inners, the stiction (static friction) in the joint defines how tight the mechanical assembly is. Any lack of stiction means tolerances are too high when new. A good ball joint is perhaps this loose at 200k, the Messotech is "pre-worn" and are generally regarded as crap.

Drive to work for 10min every day on Hwy and few turns? It might last...drive hard and its toast, YMMV!

 

I don't know who makes Beck Arnley's joints, as Bech Arnley is a reboxer. Mevotech has been around and while their joints are considered budget line. They tried to move up market with their Terrain Tough greaseables, look good but I'm staying away from greasables.

Mevo worked ok for me so far. I started trying them out a year ago along with MAS. To me MAS was real junk, won't touch them with a 10' pole. Dorman recently bought up MAS, so I won't be using Dorman suspension components any time soon with a 10' pole.

New joints are typically harder to move. As far as Mevos moving more easily than others, it's probably ok as you said with some effort. They'll all loosen up with use, just hopefully not too fast and too excessively as others suggested. Moog greaseables do stay smooth and tight for a very long time when greased. Again, Mevo is a budget brand. I just hope they last as I'm only trying them out as well.

Moog was getting complaints in truck forums of late. Moog was facing so much pressure from low cost manufacturers that they conducted a study and also introduced the budget R-line. I thought MAS was better than Mevotech because their ball studs lasted longer in the Moog study. Having seen MAS joints, control arms and bushings just overall poor quality. The ball joint stud cotter pin hole was in one case drilled in the wrong position. The castle nut is made of very weak material and the castle crenulation on one nut was off center! Bad!

https://globenewswire.com/news-rele...-MOOG-Outperforms-the-Competition-by-More-than-5-Times-in-Durability-Tests.html

Moog ball studs will remain tight for a long time, probably outlasting OEMs if you keep them greased. But their rubber boots like other aftermarkets (eg. 555 brand) sucked, not as good as OEM NOK, and can leak grease making a mess. And while greaseable joints are heavy duty (great for trucks), for these light duty applications having to grease them every oil change gets old fast. I would just use OEM if the cost is close enough. But if it's too much then I'd just use Mevotech (or Beck Arnley), and inspect regularly. Moog does have some non-greasesable Problem Solvers. For example, for Honda lower ball joints. Those I always use Moog, so much better than Hondas, of course except the rubber boot.

BTW, Honda lower ball joint is a *load bearing joint* and takes a lot of beating. This is no place to be cheap. That's why even if I complain about the rubber boot, I still go Moog Problem Solver here, not even using OEM Hondas as those are too getting a bad rap lately. For MacPherson setup like the Camry, the lower ball joint is *not* load bearing (as with Honda upper ball joint), so Mevos should be fine. For Toyota 4-Runner with those ball joints failing left and right? I'd use Moog too. But that's just poor design on the part of Toyota. I believe they revised it later.

The plastic cover - my guess is mainly to protect the rubber boots. And possibly so the grease doesn't get squeezed out? Some MAS and Moogs use them too.

If the joint is not greaseable, then don't attempt to grease it, even with a grease needle. If the joint is greaseable and has a grease zerk, then it only comes with assembly lube during the manufacturing process. You'll need to fill it with grease after installation. I use Valvoine DuraBlend like $5 a tube or so. Or you can find general purpose grease and grease gun at Walmart. It does get messy however.

For science, I ordered one ball joint from two companies:

1. Beck Arnley 101-4286 : https://www.amazon.com/Beck-Arnley-101-4286-Ball-Joint/dp/B000CB1J1Q
2. Mevotech MK9499: https://www.amazon.com/Auto-Extra-Mevotech-MK9499-Joint/dp/B001NZ9OOO

The Mevotech came with this fancy plastic cover that I have NO IDEA why they put there.

My concern (and question) is that the Mevotech joint was able to move with my hands with some effort.

Like all around. :surprise:

All other ball joints I have worked with in the last, including this Beck Arnley were stiff as rock. >

This Mevotech joint if the first and only joint that I have been able to move with my hands. :frown:

1. Why would this be? (If the joints are not well packed with grease would they wobble around?)
2. Is this anything to worry about?
3. What's the function of that fancy plastic cover? I'm pretty sure it has to be discarded during installation.
4. I don't see a point to inject grease in, but should I, if lack of grease is causing the movement?

 

Damn, sounds like that 10' pole was a bad buy. It's just sitting there gathering dust, not being used to touch anything!