Delphi brand ball joints - safe to use or wait for Lemforder brand?

[twr7cx]

Are Delphi brand ball joints any good to use/fit? Have ripped boots on a top and bottom ball joint on one side and need to replace for roadworth inspection for registration. Only Delphi brand is available locally. Lemforder can be sourced but at longer wait - but that's worth it if it saves me doing the job twice... and noting that the ball joints can usually only be replaced twice before their holes are toast...

https://cdn.lrparts.net/media/catalog/product/cache/ec0c9793d33691ca631c2ded04755e91/image/37581012d5/ftc3570-delphi-branded-upper-steering-knuckle-ball-joint-for-discovery-2-and-range-rover-p38.jpg
ftc3570-delphi-branded-upper-steering-knuckle-ball-joint-for-discovery-2-and-range-rover-p38.jpg (https://cdn.lrparts.net/media/catalog/product/cache/ec0c9793d33691ca631c2ded04755e91/image/37581012d5/ftc3570-delphi-branded-upper-steering-knuckle-ball-joint-for-discovery-2-and-range-rover-p38.jpg)

[DazzaTD5]

I use both brands and have not had any issues over the years.

[Discosux]

Just change the boots.

I did the whole lot a few months ago, major PITA. If the joints are still ok I wouldn't pull them.

[twr7cx]

Just change the boots.

I did the whole lot a few months ago, major PITA. If the joints are still ok I wouldn't pull them.

They look to be the original ball joints which are now 19 years and 317,000km old. While I agree it's easier to just change the boots, it seems a false economy given their age and likelihood for needing replacement in the near future. Given that the boots have split, who knows how long ago, it's anyones guess as to what muck and dirt has managed to get in there and how long they've got left now.

The price of new ball joints is negligible to me when compared to the effort, time and inconvenience to have to redo it again in the future.

[Vern]

They look to be the original ball joints which are now 19 years and 317,000km old. While I agree it's easier to just change the boots, it seems a false economy given their age and likelihood for needing replacement in the near future. Given that the boots have split, who knows how long ago, it's anyones guess as to what muck and dirt has managed to get in there and how long they've got left now.

The price of new ball joints is negligible to me when compared to the effort, time and inconvenience to have to redo it again in the future.Well if the originals have lasted that long, then replace them with the same, Lëmforder

[stevo]

I replaced the originals after 18 years then had to replace one of them after 2 years as it had movement in it. When removing the old ones i applied some heat to the housing also put the new parts in freezer and preheated the housings they went in by hand had to hold them in place till housing cooled down and ball joint had heated up.

when removing the faulty ball joint after 2 years I ground the housing apart and spilt it in half so it just took a gentle tap to remove, this helps with the wear on the bores if removing and installing by just pressing them out.