Proforged Steering Parts Review

[badazz81z28]

Well after doing some research on the Proforged parts, I thought I would share my thoughts since there was minimal input on web. Upon a Google search I found like 5 or so threads. Surprisingly a couple asking the same questions I had, but no answers. So here they are...

Upon opening the box from Summit Racing, I was surprised to see that there was no packaging, no brand identifier, and stickers appeared to be "re-part" numbered a few times (layered part # stickers).

I pulled the parts out and they appear to be solid units. Proforged advertised the pieces to be "forged" housings, which they appeared to be as indicated by the parting lines. Although the inner tie rods did not and appeared to have a cast line (perfectly smooth and straight). The nuts on the studs feel light, like they are made of aluminum.

I removed the dust boots and the insides look good, but appear to have a plastic casing over the ball stud. Not sure if other brand names are the same.

The parts are painted black and look good even though UPS beat the crap out of them and they have chips that would need to be touched up.

Bottom line is, they appear to be good parts, but I have this gut feeling I should have got Moog. Moog parts were even if not a little cheaper than the Proforged. Coming up is the install.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/P1070155_zps6ffbed47-1.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/badazz81z28/media/P1070155_zps6ffbed47.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/P1070151_zps0aa02531-1.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/badazz81z28/media/P1070151_zps0aa02531.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/P1070150_zpse6d33044-1.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/badazz81z28/media/P1070150_zpse6d33044.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/P1070149_zps4848f72a-1.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/badazz81z28/media/P1070149_zps4848f72a.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/P1070147_zps50576630-1.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/badazz81z28/media/P1070147_zps50576630.jpg.html)

[badazz81z28]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/P1070154_zps06e5f7d1-1.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/badazz81z28/media/P1070154_zps06e5f7d1.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/P1070153_zps3af53633-1.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/badazz81z28/media/P1070153_zps3af53633.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/P1070158_zps5b06e8b0-1.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/badazz81z28/media/P1070158_zps5b06e8b0.jpg.html)

[badazz81z28]

During the mock-up I noticed that the Pro forged tie-rod diameter is greater than the Moog tie rods currently on the car. I don't know if it's because these are for a Firebird or not. I will pull out the calipers and measure.

[65_LS1_T56]

Good info to post up. I went with Pro-forged for my Chevelle too. They do appear to be quality units. I can speak from my day job, the plastic around the ball is a standard thing on current ball joint manufacturing now. It is called a ball race, made of a very hard, slippery plastic. They are a standard item in "lifetime" or integrated ball joints (where there is not a serviceable joint, you replace the whole suspension component its attached to.) The picture you have does make it look thicker than what we work with though.
I'm pretty sure their stuff is made in Asia somewhere, supposedly designed here...

All my stuff fit good, bolted up right, tapers all seemed good. I have the centerlink, tierods (inners), idler arm, tall upper and lower balljoints. haven't been on the road, but that should be real soon.

[Rod]

I don't know about most of the Proforged parts, but I did use their Tall upper ball joint on my camaro for a year+ of really hard racing/driving and they have held up really well, in fact I used a Howe lower ball joint and it has become loose and sloppy and I had to replace it already and both were installed at the same time, my center link and tierod ends were from the Hotchkis kit those have also held up awesome! and now the hotchkis centerlink has the ridetech tru-turn bolted to it and works awesome

[David Pozzi]

We have been using Proforged steering parts on Mary's Camaro for a few years now & they have held up great. I think they are quality parts. We used their .5" tall upper ball joints for two years & they stayed tight, but she has different upper A arms on the car now with the .9" tall Howe UBJ. The Howe upper ball joint on the RF loosened up but this is due to all the Goodguys runs Mary did, plus the ball is large but smooth which reduces friction making it feel loose sooner than a regular ball joint. The Howe is adjustable so we just gave the cap a slight turn & it's good to go again.
Rodney, the LBJ you had should be adjustable too.

[T-CHRGD]

the LBJ you had should be adjustable too.

Correct :)

[Dylan2]

I put pro-forged ball joints on my Volvo wagon and after only a few months the rubber boot was cracking a good amount. Not 1,000,000 warranty quality but their parts aren't bad.

[rentedmule]

I put ~60 auto-X events and a few years of daily driving on their tall lower ball joints with my s-series and they were still tight when I sold it. The boots held up fine on mine.

[andrewb70]

I am pretty sure those castle nuts are not aluminum.

Andrew

[raustinss]

Wait a minute theres a place called Sackville New Brunswick