My '94 wagon had ~110K miles on it when I got it, and I almost immediately replaced all of the wearable front steering components that used ball joints with a kit from a somewhat well-known manufacturer (vendor) that claimed its parts had a million mile warranty. The car currently has 160K miles on it. I have lubed the grease fittings three times since installing the new components (including during install), so approximately every 15K miles. I squeeze until I see a little bit of grease escaping past the boot, then I wipe up the excess.
Around 10K miles ago, I noticed that the inner tie rod ends both had play, and I noticed a popping noise from the front end when turning and going over a bump, like when turning into a driveway. I got them to replace one of the inner tie rod ends under warranty but had to order the other one myself as they said they were backordered on it and I didn't want to wait. I haven't yet gotten to addressing the upper and lower ball joints--I suspect at least one of them is bad on each side, causing the popping noise.
While doing an oil change today, I noticed excessive wear on the inside of the passenger front tire. (Alignment had been set within the last 5K miles or so--when I did the inner tie rod ends.) Tugging on the steering parts, I discovered play in the passenger side outer tie rod end.
First, am I greasing the fittings frequently enough, and doing it correctly?
Second, is it reasonable that suspension components should fail this quickly, assuming I am greasing sufficiently?
Third, should I try to get warranty parts out of this manufacturer (oh hell, why am I keeping it a secret--it's Proforged), or should I drop them and replace all of the bad parts with stuff from, say, Moog? I have been fighting steering slop forever and ever and, within reason, cost is no object in getting it sorted out.
Around 10K miles ago, I noticed that the inner tie rod ends both had play, and I noticed a popping noise from the front end when turning and going over a bump, like when turning into a driveway. I got them to replace one of the inner tie rod ends under warranty but had to order the other one myself as they said they were backordered on it and I didn't want to wait. I haven't yet gotten to addressing the upper and lower ball joints--I suspect at least one of them is bad on each side, causing the popping noise.
While doing an oil change today, I noticed excessive wear on the inside of the passenger front tire. (Alignment had been set within the last 5K miles or so--when I did the inner tie rod ends.) Tugging on the steering parts, I discovered play in the passenger side outer tie rod end.
First, am I greasing the fittings frequently enough, and doing it correctly?
Second, is it reasonable that suspension components should fail this quickly, assuming I am greasing sufficiently?
Third, should I try to get warranty parts out of this manufacturer (oh hell, why am I keeping it a secret--it's Proforged), or should I drop them and replace all of the bad parts with stuff from, say, Moog? I have been fighting steering slop forever and ever and, within reason, cost is no object in getting it sorted out.