03 Ball Joint Wear

[RGoessling]

2003 2500 4x4 Cummins Diesel All stock SRW 36,345 Easy miles (3 trips to FL. ) Dealer says ball joints will not pass Massachusetts State Inspection. Is this normal? Cannot believe I will be replacing them every 36,000 mi. Are the aftermarket parts any better? Thanx Rich Goessling -- email address removed --

 

[MikeS1]

On my 04 I had my upper and lower ball joints replaced under warranty at 30k miles, I was pretty dissapointed that they would go out so early.

 

[mroodzant]

What symptoms did you notice before you had them replaced?

 

[Matt400]

Mine were bad at 20K, no aftermarkets yet. I am trying to hold out for them though.

No symptoms yet. . just sloppy joints. I run stock wheels and 285 tires, all pavement & no off road.

 

[Zshaw]

03 ball joints

Mine wen't bad at 48,000 mi. Dealer refused to warranty them and dodge said tough luck. I'm going to call and check the part #'s between 02 & 03.

 

[bfull]

Did you ask dealer to warranty? You are only 300 miles over warranty and they know it's a common problem which shouldn't be happening. I just had all mine changed under warranty at 22,000 miles.

 

[EB]

I've been reading about this for a while, it must be a 4x4 problem. I'm getting my upper ball joints replaced next week, but at 210,000+ miles. Mine is a 4x2. Still drives better than the 2nd gen. trucks did.

 

[RDyson]

'03 ball joints

Mine were bad at 25,000. I waited untill just before my 36,000 mile waranty was up to have them replaced. That way it will be a little longer before it has to come out of my pocket the next time!

 

[SLinse]

I had 3 ball joints and 2 tie rods replaced at 7,000!!! Then a steering box replaced at 19,000, and Now with 24,000 dealer says I have 2 more getting loose. They are with in limits, but will need replaced soon.



at the 7,000 mile mark the truck was handling like crap!!!!! if the roads were wet, it was even worse!! it wondered all over, and was a little nerv racking. After they replaced everything, it handled like a dream.

 

[JWerkheiser]

Mine went at 25000. I'll be making real sure at 35999 that they are OK.

 

[RDyson]

SLinse, I told my service department about the "limits" that I had read about here on the TDR. They told me they did'nt know and couldnt find any info on them. He said they are either good---or not. Worked out great for me.

 

[Texasrattler]

Sounds suspicious to me. How do they know they won't pass inspection?

How does the truck drive?



Pete

 

[BHaner]

Had all 4 ball joints, two tie rods, and the gear box replaced at 35000.

 

[Yo Hoot]

20,000 on mine and still tight. Talked to a guy at Home Depot tonight... 59,000 miles, Banks SixGun and no balljoint or auto transmission problems.



Seems like not everyone has problems but it doesn't look promising for ball joints.

 

[Bailman]

my 03 is in the dealer as I write this, bad ball joints, all u joints, and bad drive shafts. Truck has 57000 miles, all easy highway.