Mevotech Ball Joints

Richard RV

Richard RV

Well-known member
Jun 15, 2015
1,162
509
113
Whereabouts unknown
A forum search doesn't turn up anything on Mevotech ball joints for the GMC. Mevotech has 3 different lines, I'm primarily interested in their
Supreme line, Mevotech MK5221 for the lower, and MS50548 for the upper.

Does anyone have any experience with them? What's the quality like compared to Moog?

Richard
--
'77 Birchaven TZE...777;
'76 Palm Beach under construction;
‘76 Edgemonte waiting its turn
 
Search Google.

Mevotech made in Canada.

Moog may be made in 16 different countries.

Moog has a good brand name.

--
1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
 
Hi, yes I searched Google and found many forums I know nothing about, with many opinions completely opposite, and for parts that are not specific to
the GMC Motorhome. One of the common opinions I read was that Moog was not what it used to be and some felt they were skating on their brand name.

I was hoping for some personal experience with Mevotech ball joints for the GMC. Thanks for the info on where the parts are made. I'd reckon it
would be easier to maintain quality control through a single country of manufacture than multiple, but again, I have no ball joint experience on which
to base that belief.

Richard
--
'77 Birchaven TZE...777;
'76 Palm Beach under construction;
‘76 Edgemonte waiting its turn
 
To our knowledge, they do not make the lower ball joints for the GMC MH

> Hi, yes I searched Google and found many forums I know nothing about, with
> many opinions completely opposite, and for parts that are not specific to
> the GMC Motorhome. One of the common opinions I read was that Moog was
> not what it used to be and some felt they were skating on their brand name.
>
> I was hoping for some personal experience with Mevotech ball joints for
> the GMC. Thanks for the info on where the parts are made. I'd reckon it
> would be easier to maintain quality control through a single country of
> manufacture than multiple, but again, I have no ball joint experience on
> which
> to base that belief.
>
> Richard
> --
> '77 Birchaven TZE...777;
> '76 Palm Beach under construction;
> ‘76 Edgemonte waiting its turn
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

--
Jim Kanomata ASE
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Last time I checked, the Moog balljoint for our GMC was K6215, and the Toronado balljoint was K5221. This tells me that the toronado units are not suitable for use in our coaches.
I haven’t done a physical side by side compare, but recall old discussions on The subject here in GMCNet.
The mevotech units are Toronado specific, so likely not suitable even though they “look” the same.

Les Burt
Montreal
'75 Eleganza 26'

>
> Search Google.
>
> Mevotech made in Canada.
>
> Moog may be made in 16 different countries.
>
> Moog has a good brand name.
>
> --
> 1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
 
> A forum search doesn't turn up anything on Mevotech ball joints for the GMC. Mevotech has 3 different lines, I'm primarily interested in their
> Supreme line, Mevotech MK5221 for the lower, and MS50548 for the upper.
>
> Does anyone have any experience with them? What's the quality like compared to Moog?
>
> Richard

You might want to reach out to Dave Lenzi, as he probably has as much experience with GMC motorhomes specific ball joints as anyone on the planet. He
recently refurbished my control arms and had pretty specific opinions on the replacement parts he used. I know he is not a fan of MOOG cam adjuster
bolts.
--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water
heaters.
 
We should have bunch of the lower ball joints in December.
Jim Bounds coordinated so we can have them available.

> > A forum search doesn't turn up anything on Mevotech ball joints for the
> GMC. Mevotech has 3 different lines, I'm primarily interested in their
> > Supreme line, Mevotech MK5221 for the lower, and MS50548 for the upper.
> >
> > Does anyone have any experience with them? What's the quality like
> compared to Moog?
> >
> > Richard
>
> You might want to reach out to Dave Lenzi, as he probably has as much
> experience with GMC motorhomes specific ball joints as anyone on the
> planet. He
> recently refurbished my control arms and had pretty specific opinions on
> the replacement parts he used. I know he is not a fan of MOOG cam adjuster
> bolts.
> --
> Richard
> 76 Palm Beach
> SE Michigan
> www.PalmBeachGMC.com
>
>
> Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum
> system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water
> heaters.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

--
Jim Kanomata ASE
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Dave Lenzi visited us in MN a couple weekends ago. He uses moog and was surprised and concerned about the moog lower ball joint shortage. He
referbushes many lower control arms for people who have had improperly installed ball joints. Dave mentioned his suppliers were out.

He would rather people not change lowers as he sees lots of cracked control arms when people do not get them installed properly.

As you can see. jimK is a value if he can work and help solve the shortage.
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
 
I was fortunate to order a lower ball joint from Jim K and Applied GMC yesterday.
The one on my drivers side had one of the mounting tabs broken loose causing excessive play.

Rick Drummond
1974 re-Painted Desert named B.O.B.
1976 33’ stretch under construction

> Dave Lenzi visited us in MN a couple weekends ago. He uses moog and was surprised and concerned about the moog lower ball joint shortage. He
> referbushes many lower control arms for people who have had improperly installed ball joints. Dave mentioned his suppliers were out.
>
> He would rather people not change lowers as he sees lots of cracked control arms when people do not get them installed properly.
>
> As you can see. jimK is a value if he can work and help solve the shortage.
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
 
The original ball joints were riveted in place, and according to the manual, (GMC Motorhome Maintenance Manual X-7725) on page 3A-17 under "Ball Joint
Checks", a pry bar is used to check for play. The "reading must not exceed .125". That is 1/8th inch. Unfortunately most alignment shops will check
for play and to them any play at all is unacceptable, so they charge you for, and replace ball joints that don't need replacement. The best thing you
can do for your lower ball joints is measure the play, and if less than .125", DON"T REPLACE THEM. If an alignment shop insists, show them the
statement in the manual. JWIT
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
 
One big reason for shortage is that the manufacturers do not want to
continue manufacturing parts in small quantities.
We end up asking them to increase the price and produce them for us.
I am getting too old to continue doing this as I see that day coming .

> The original ball joints were riveted in place, and according to the
> manual, (GMC Motorhome Maintenance Manual X-7725) on page 3A-17 under "Ball
> Joint
> Checks", a pry bar is used to check for play. The "reading must not exceed
> .125". That is 1/8th inch. Unfortunately most alignment shops will check
> for play and to them any play at all is unacceptable, so they charge you
> for, and replace ball joints that don't need replacement. The best thing you
> can do for your lower ball joints is measure the play, and if less than
> .125", DON"T REPLACE THEM. If an alignment shop insists, show them the
> statement in the manual. JWIT
> --
> Larry
> 78 Royale w/500 Caddy
> Menomonie, WI.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

--
Jim Kanomata ASE
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Larry yes good advice. All GM lower load bearing ball joints are checked that way. Once loaded with vehicle weight the 1/8” slop will “self
zero” to no lash. The exception would be on extreme washboard type roads where unloading and undesired motion could happen. Hence that 1/8” max
spec. The uppers are simply locators only and should be snug in all planes. The good news is if uppers are kept greased they last a long long time in
GM dual A arm designs where vehicle load is on lowers.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
> One big reason for shortage is that the manufacturers do not want to continue manufacturing parts in small quantities.
> We end up asking them to increase the price and produce them for us.
> I am getting too old to continue doing this as I see that day coming .
> --
> Jim Kanomata ASE
> Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
> jimk
> http://www.gmcrvparts.com
> 1-800-752-7502

Jim,

I, for at least one and I think more, are glad to have you on our side.....

Most regular people do not understand:
Minimum order quantity,
Tool set up cost,
Tooling wear expense,
Inventory age cost,
Old stock liability....

Sure, McDonalds can sell a cheap burger, but they sell several hundred a day.
You can get a piston for a small block chevy for about 10$, but they make a million a year and have to the last several decades.
One piston for a friends old tractor was 125$. That was with pin, but not rings.
This is the world we are in and if you don't think Applied is an amazing asset, you just don't understand.

Matt - Was the Aftermarket Department at McCord Gasket while they existed.

--
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
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