[loudfocus01]

I installed moog front swaybar endlinks back in early July of this year, and last night while driving around I heard clunking noises coming from the front drivers side. So today, I took my front wheel off to find my moog front endlink broken. This is complete BS. I don't see how this could have happened other than being a faulty endlink to start out with. I bought them from RockAuto, and I will be emailing them with these pics in hopes of them sending me a new one for free, which they should do. I know I installed them correctly, and I even used my torque wrench and torqued them to the correct spec, so I know this wasn't my fault at all. Anyway, here are the pics:

The passenger side: nice and straight.

The drivers side: You can tell whats broken just by looking.

Completely unacceptable. [thumbd]

 

[nov173]

well that just a bummer man..

 

[Blackcatn2o]

Did you grease them?

 

[S0C0nFused]

So I guess the not supposed to move in that direction? I thought the link internals were of a 'ball' type construction.
I really don't know. So it's a question...

 

[loudfocus01]

If it was fine, then why would they start making a clunking noise?
Also, it had plenty of grease in there when I bought them, and still does. I checked.
I think you may be right about it having a ball type of internal,
so maybe its supposed to be able to swivel like that?
Why would one side be turned and the other straight?
Maybe it just needs more grease, but idk. Help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[S0C0nFused]

If it was fine, then why would they start making a clunking noise?
Also, it had plenty of grease in there when I bought them, and still does. I checked.
I think you may be right about it having a ball type of internal,
so maybe its supposed to be able to swivel like that?
Why would one side be turned and the other straight?
Maybe it just needs more grease, but idk. Help would be greatly appreciated.

Well, end link is usually a ball type (least everyone I have ever looked at). So it's not really broken then? The only reason it would be oriented that way is because something moved it there. I.E. You sway bar supports are worn, hence the bar moved and the end link moved with it.
I really don' t know, but it works when I imagine the bar getting torqued during cornering say. There is a heck of a lot of stress on those mounts and endlinks.

 

[loudfocus01]

Thanks man. I'll drive around on it a few more days and look to see if the position has
changed any, and also listen to see if the clunking is still there.
Any more input would be greatly appreciated also.

 

[metallicnotazx5]

Does it have any in and out movement? Also it looks like someone hasn't been greasing them......................Please don't take your anger and frustration out on a company until you know the whole story. Any item with a grease fitting should be greased at least every 3,000 miles. Way more often in hotter climates. The grease that comes with aftermarket parts is nothing more than an assembly lube to allow it to fit together and prevent corrosion to internal parts while it's in the packaging. You should have flushed it out with real chassis grease when you installed it. And then on a regular basis thereafter.

 

[besthaticouldo]

mine moved like that...

i never had a clunking noise. i have a good bet you need grease and to check other areas...

 

[Mr.Bergner]

Man, I was hoping it wasn't you when I saw this title. I have a set I haven't installed yet so let me know if you want to check one out or anything.

Also, on the greasing thing, how do you flush it out? Just open the valve and shove some grease in there? lol, what's the tool you need to do it? A typical grease gun?

sorry for the extreme greasy noobness

 

[metallicnotazx5]

yes, just use a grease gun through the fitting and put grease in it til it comes out clean through the boot

 

[dirtbrown]

nothing works like the FOMOCO lol....

 

[besthaticouldo]

and did you try moving it by hand?

 

[loudfocus01]

Damn it, thats my problem. I never added any grease. I thought that what came in it was fine.
Ok, well now I know what the problem is. And now I feel like an idiot.
But yeah, I never bashed RockAuto, they are a great company.
The endlink did not move back to the straight position by pushing on it,
most likely because of the lack of grease. So once I grease it, hopefully it'll be fixed.
I'm really hoping its not to the point where adding grease doesn't fix it.
I'm hoping there was no real damage done to the inside of the endlink, but i'll soon find out.
Thanks for all the info guys. I really appreciate it, and I'll update with how everything
goes once I lube them both up and move the one back into position. You guys rock!

 

[loudfocus01]

Also, would it be called chassis grease at the auto parts store, or another name?

 

[Mr.Bergner]

I dunno what it's called, but I just looked at mine and yeah, that bolt moves around in any direction (ball joint). Um...but how the hell do you grease it? The grease gun I have is old skool and probably not the kind you use for these.

Would you mind kicking me the details on your grease gun, how much, how you did it...awl dat? lol. sorry, hope i'm not thread jack'n you

///////EDIT\\\\\\\\

So this kind of grease:
http://moto-delta.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1260

And this kind of gun:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...y Tools&psid=FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a

And I just shove the tube over the one way valve nipple and crank away until grease is shooting out........but out of where?

 

[loudfocus01]

Until it starts coming out of the boot that covers up the ball joint, like shown in my pics.
You'll want to fill that whole ball joint section up with grease.
I'm doing this tomorrow after I pick up some grease from work. I already have a grease gun.

 

[metallicnotazx5]

They are probably bad already or the fitting are plugged from not greasing them regularly. Just take them off and find an auto parts store that will warranty them out for you.

 

[loudfocus01]

Well, I'll inspect them tomorrow to see if they are still good or not.
They might be ok as long as i grease them now. I'll let u guys know.

 

[loudfocus01]

Alright, bought some lucas red and tacky chassis grease today after work.
I inspected the endlinks, and they looked fine on the inside, so i loaded up
my grease gun and flushed the old grease out and filled them up with new.
After I did that, I was able to move the endlinks back into the correct position,
so they seem absolutely fine to me. I don't think i'll have a problem with them now.
What a relief..........thanks to all who helped me out.