MOOG CK-line LCA quality?

Hey everyone!

Have a 203,XXX mile DBSB 4WD Taco and feeling a little slop in the LCA. The slop is coming from the ball joint, grabbing by the threaded bit and moving it up and down. Am in the market of picking up a new LCA w/ ball joint assembly. So far, OEM seems to be the general consensus but found CK-line LCA by MOOG (CK623262 and CK623263) on rockauto that is almost half the price per arm. There's not a whole lot of information specifically about these specific LCAs but these aren't their econo RK lines which people are saying to stay away from.

I'm hesitant to pick up the CK line, even though it's MOOGs premium components, because there isn't a whole lot of info and would like two cents from someone on this forum if they've installed these specific LCA before I pull the trigger on either getting MOOG or OEM.

 

I don’t have the CK LCAs but I did install the K series lower ball joints, the CK and K are the same premium “problem solver” product lines.

I haven’t had any problems with them on this truck or any previous vehicle I’ve used them on. I actually might get the CK LCAs myself in the future, the poly bushes I installed drive me nuts.



https://www.suspension.com/blog/moog-control-arms-ck-k-or-rk/

 

I’ve also worked auto parts for over a decade (most of that in rust belt Ohio) and still rarely saw MOOG stuff come back in with issues. Of course there are exceptions, QC isn’t always perfect.

Just food for thought, in case it helps.
Hopefully someone who has actually installed these specific ones can chime in.

 

Go with oem knowing the next time you need to do them is probably another 200k or you’ll have a new truck before they need to be replaced.

 

MOOGs premium lowers on my 2008 at 170,000 with the tie rods. installed in my drive way with no problems I did get all new bolts and adjusters from the stealer ship. Im planing on getting the moog uppers also

 

Thank you so much! This gives me more confidence, especially since you've worked in Ohio. Rust will definitely be a no problem here in Cali

Yup, just wish it wasn't 250 per arm

What's your current mileage on your taco? And how often do you grease the ball joints?

 

186,000 as of this week. My truck is 2-Wheel did not come with Grease fittings ball joints. The replacement lower control arms did not either. The replacement swaybar Links did from moog.

 

OP... What did you go with? OEM? Moog CK?
I am in need of LCAs soon....

 

Went with OEMs, lot of bones but knowing that the previous LCA lasted about 197,000 miles w/o serious issues (ball joints were a bit loose) it's worth the investment.

 

im at 155000 miles and second set of OEMs. I don't wheel hard, just some light trails and fire roads. I was thinking I might get better mileage out of some after markets... and save a few $$

 

IMO, if you have the original OEM LCA, I'd suggest swapping out the bushings and ball joints with OEM/quality components. That's probably what I'm going to do with my original ones. Cheaper to buy a press, bushing, and ball joint.

Will also do that for my UCA as well.

 

Have had the RK on truck for 20k miles and wheeled the piss out of them and they are still holding strong. Yes RK the ones ppl say to stay away from yet ive seen no issues with them and I've hammered them.

 

I've had MOOG lowers on my truck for around 15-20k miles with no issues, and I'm off road in the mountains to get to trailheads and climbing walls pretty much every weekend. I don't intentionally go out crawling, but living and playing in the high Rockies means it sees some pretty damn rough access roads.

I'm not sure what series they are, but I trust mine. They've taken some good beatings.