2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Alignment/ ball joint install, etc

[PWeber]

OK, I just got a 1996 1 ton 4x4 with 82k. I took it to the alignment shop. They call 1 hr after I leave to say it needs a track bar, ball joints, tie rod end, etc. I can never take a truck in and get it aligned without the "it will be $800-$900" call. My question is: Are the ball joint hard to change on these Dodges and are the adjustable ball joints I should get or are there some camber bushings that can adjust camber on these front 1 ton axles?

 

[BWilson]

I've got a 97 3/4 ton, and I think they are the same; so here goes... . The actual job is not that bad, if you have a ball joint tool, if not, go buy one. The 100 or so it costs is well worth it. The upper ball joint has the adjustable sleeves. The track bar isn't that bad to change either. You may want to check out a Luke's Link for it. My truck seems to eat tie rod ends, but they only take 15 minutes to install, + an alignment.



Good luck, hope this helps.

 

[KFroese]

hi all

first post here... ... .

ball joint replacement is not too bad. if you do not have a bj press just bang the old ons out and bring the spindle to a local shop. by me the guy charged me 15. 00 per spindle to press my bj's in. just be very carefull sliding the axles out and back in again, or next week you'll be tearing it apart again to replace the axle seals.

 

[PWeber]

Do the uppers with the adjustment sleeves and both camber and caster?

 

[KFroese]

i did not use an adjustment sleeve on mine... . if it is needed the alignment guy just needs to pull the wheel off pop the cotter pin take the nut off and put a different sleeve in.

i say put it back "stock" and let a "good" alignment man check to see if off set sleeves are needed.

 

[PWeber]

can a person buy those sleeves somewhere?

 

[KFroese]

i never saw them for sale. but a good alignment shop should have them. or a good parts supply that has alignment shims should have them. the problem with "you" putting them in is, you do not know how many degree's offset you will need.



it's been a while since i did alignments. but it was not just one shim. there was a few of them in different degree increments. so with out the truck on a alignment rack , your just shooting in the dark.



why do you even think you need the shims? how were your tires wearing? also, while you have the front axles out you may as well replace the u joints in them.

 

[PWeber]

The driver's side is straight up and down as far as camber. Pass. is cambered in at top. I know I have no idea the exact angle. I am just wanting to get it closer and take it to another shop then. Before my Dodge diesel life I had Fords. Every time I took those 4x4 IFS trucks in I would get the call from the alignment shop saying: "you need $500 worth of camber kits, ball joints, etc. By the way. I got the 1996 home and the ball joints are tight and the track bar seems tight too. They told me the track bar wa salmost falling off and the left side ball joints were very loose. I am tired of the shops screwing with me. The closer you bring the truck to proper alignment to them the less it costs by hundreds!

 

[Scrappy]

trackbar

have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth while you watch the frame end of the trackbar, I bet that you'll find that it is indeed bad.

 

[Extreme1]

Ditto on the loose trackbar check, they are usually preloaded when sitting still.



Linstad alignment has a replacement trac bar you can tighten up like a lukes link. I've used both but I like the Linstad a little better.

 

[PWeber]

Where do I find the Linstad?

 

[Extreme1]

My spelling was bad. Try searching for Lindstad.