About a year and a half ago I replaced all the bushings and ball joints
in the front suspension of my 260,000 mile Vanagon with parts purchased
from a list vendor who will go un-named.  When I had the front end
aligned I found I had some play in the lower ball joints.  The alignment
tech, whose judgment I respect, said he had seen new ball joints from
this vendor recently that also had unacceptable looseness on
installation.   I decided to monitor the wear of the joints and not to
replace the ball joints at that time.  Now, 18 months later, I am
replacing the steering rack and I find the upper control arm bushings
show wear.  Bummer!

I wondered at the time of the first alignment if the lower ball joints
had been damaged by improper use of the press when the joints were
installed in the spindles  The same shop that pressed the ball joints
into my spindles also brought the other Vanagon to the alignment shop
with defective lower joints.  Since the ball joints were from the same
vendor and pressed in by the same shop could this be coincidence, low
quality parts, or is it improper shop press work?

Since it is quite a bit of work to rebuild the front end a second time,
I would like to be sure I am using quality parts.

Does anyone have first-hand experience with a brand of front suspension
parts that they trust and that has given good service over many years
after installation?

What about brands that you would stay away from?

What about the stuff you get at traditional FLAPS such as NAPA?  They
seem to have a store brand and other brand parts.  What would you suggest?

I would appreciate hearing from the respected professional mechanics on
the list.

Please reply off list if you wish so this will not start a flame war.

Thanks,
Ed