04 Death Wobble...its time

[DDT]

Hi All,
I have Had the death wooble twice. I know the ball joints are past due. 207K on meter. i do have a ball joint press I use for U joints ect. Were is the best ones to get. Im thinking NAPA. Any thing eles I should do while Im under there. Sterring shock is leaking, that will get replaced to. Will check tie rods as well.
Any suggestions.

 

[mweiman]

I would check u-joints good for any rust streaking from the caps and also that they move freely in all directions with no binding. Also check the hub bearings over real well. I would also verify that your trackbar is tight.
Some may reccomend carli or other upgraded balljoints( I don't have any experience with them). I have installed several sets of Moog balljoints, which is what I would guess NAPA carries, and never had issues. Rockauto.com is a good source for parts, their website usually lists several options by manufacturer and the price is usually good even after shipping.
Matt

 

[DDT]

Do I Need Adjustable? Never Had Tire Wear Or Alinement issues

 

[mweiman]

Adjustable ball joints or track bar? I would say no in either case on a stock height truck. At least I have never had an issue. Usually don't need to do an alignment afterwards, although for the price of having the alignment checked versus the cost of tires it doesn't seem like a bad idea to have it checked.

 

[MGreer]

If you use Rockauto.com here is a discount code for 5% off your order: 1988021313588630
You type the code into the"How did you hear about us" box before you submit your order. The code can be used as any times as you need to until April 6th, then they usually send me a new code.

 

[mwilson]

Do I Need Adjustable? Never Had Tire Wear Or Alinement issues

No, do not use the adjustable upper ball joints on a third gen. They don't work out well due to the front axle steering geometry.

Mike.

 

[cerberusiam]

Not been very impressed with NAPA's ball joints, have a 2nd gen that eats them for lunch. If you get the lifetime warranty they get replaced but it is a PIA to change them.

The best balance I have found so far betwen Moog (junk) and Carli\Dynatac (the best) is the Raybesots Professional Grade BJ's, they are McQuay Norris HD components. Get the 1/2 degree offset uppers so you get rid of the flaky spring loaded plastic wear pads and get a full ball joint that will carry some weight.

Might as well figure on track bar bushings also, you are probably over due if you haven't done them, get the good poly inserts that fit the stock bar in oyu don't want\need a lift. Might want to consider control arm bushings also if you are having issues, they will put a lot of slop in the suspension\steering when the get tired.

Shocks are a biggy if you have not done them. A lot of times new shocks and steering damper wil completely solve the DW problem. Bilstiens 5100 are the best shocks you can buy without going into the Fox and other remote reservior rebuildables. The Bilstien damper is about the best out there without going to a double damper system. The double damper systems have worked much better for me than the single for a lot of miles. No DW even worn components all thru the system.

Don't discount the tires as a source, they are frequently 50% or more the problem in DW.

Check out Genos garage for all the parts you can think of. They have a great selection of proven products and you won't find better customer service anywhere.

 

[buzzinghalfdozen24]

MWilson, why do you say not to use the upper adjustable ball joints? I put them on my truck. All the tech's said they have used them. And I have never had any problems with them. Although, unless you take it to a "real" shop rather than your local Farm and Fleet, you may have to tell them how to use them because they won't know they're hidden under the grease zerk.

I wen't back and forth on wether or not to use them, that's why I'm curious why you say no. Next time around if money if available, I would love the Carli Ball Joints.

 

[rscurtis]

AFAIK, with adjustable ball joints, there is no true "center" like you have with the stockers. Adjustables assume that there is a problem that has to be corrected. To correct caster, you'll be changing camber, and vice versa. If you have no tracking or wear problems, avoid the adjustables.

 

[Ozymandias]

MyTruck had adjustables when I bought it. In a real bad pothole (with jump) they both turned inward, Truck looked like it has a bent axle.

After that the driveshafts knuckles rubbed the end of the axletube in every corner, so I needed an urgent repair on the spot.

The adjustables have been installed from the previous owner so I didn't know about them, would never install such a crap by my self.

 

[cerberusiam]

In a real bad pothole (with jump) they both turned inward, Truck looked like it has a bent axle.

Without the BJ's turning something might have really bent.

Not sure that qualifies as a negative for an offset ball joint. Lots of bent axles with a standard BJ, then you have a bigger problem.

 

[Ozymandias]

Without the BJ's turning something might have really bent.

Not sure that qualifies as a negative for an offset ball joint. Lots of bent axles with a standard BJ, then you have a bigger problem.

Na, it wasn't that bad, just a dip across the road, 5' wide and 7" deep, hit it with 40mph.
Jump was not much, but was enough to turn the cones inside the knuckle.

 

[DDT]

Ok. Thanks For All Comments. And For Code. I Went Napa Route Since I Got A Huge Discount From My Work. Ever Better Than My Farm Discount. Done.....She Handles Like A New One Now......Now On To Dash Replacement And New Doors For Ac/Heat. My Heater Has Very Little Defrost And No AC.

 

[Regcabguy]

www.heatertreater.net