Are my ball joints worn out?

[31b]

I looked a tech drawing it is the drag bar not drag link. My bad.

 

[steved]

Not quite right, the upper ball joint is not really a ball joint but is actually a pivot joint so some up and down movement is normal and not an indication of wear, it needs to be checked for lateral movement. The lower ball joint is a real ball joint and gets checked up and down for play (up to . 009" is suposedly OK acording to Chrysler), if loose the lowers are bad.

I just checked with the local garage (not dodge) because I'm thinking mine might have finally gotten bad enough to not pass inspection... 0. 006" top and 0. 009" bottom is what they quoted me as specifications.



Mine have clunked since new and have never worn tires odd nor failed inspection... I have 180k on the clock. I'm going with Moogs from a local source...

 

[WoodChuck]

I just checked with the local garage (not dodge) because I'm thinking mine might have finally gotten bad enough to not pass inspection... 0. 006" top and 0. 009" bottom is what they quoted me as specifications.

Mine have clunked since new and have never worn tires odd nor failed inspection... I have 180k on the clock. I'm going with Moogs from a local source...

I'm not sure why you quoted me before your reply but I want to clarify the allowable play specs. The . 006" at the upper joint is measured for lateral play and the . 009" at the lower is joint is measured for up and down play.

 

[steved]

I'm not sure why you quoted me before your reply but I want to clarify the allowable play specs. The . 006" at the upper joint is measured for lateral play and the . 009" at the lower is joint is measured for up and down play.

Because you gave one measurement, and I had both... its also spelled out in the FSM...

 

[31b]

OK, not to hijack my own thread but does anyone have any opinions on my post # 20? Does it sound the like the ball joints are worn? Thanks all.

 

[steved]

OK, not to hijack my own thread but does anyone have any opinions on my post # 20? Does it sound the like the ball joints are worn? Thanks all.

0. 009" and 0. 006" are pretty small amounts...

 

[31b]

Like I said in my first post, I do not want to recycle the debate about Carli. Assuming that I decide to spend the $ on the Carli uppers, what lower is compatible? What did other folks use and how has it worked out?

 

[steved]

I believe the lower is pretty much standard... if it we me, and I was going after a quality part, I'd probably go after a Moog.

I actually ordered a set of Moogs from a local parts house yesterday...

 

[mwilson]

Mine is coming apart tomorrow as the weather was not fit for working outdoors yesterday. Prefer to do big jobs outside, much more room for me to thrash around out there. I will let you guys know exactly what was binding when I get back here Thursday.

31b, I will look at mine and see if I can guide you as to finding the slack in your front end. Will have a good clear understanding where you need to feel by the time I finish mine. I am really hoping that the road salt has not frozen my wheel bearings in to the knuckle.

 

[31b]

OK, it was time to rotate my tires so I went to a tire shop that has been pretty decent in the past. As I wasn't certain if it was ball joints or bearings I described the problem asked them to check it out. They tell me the wheel bearings are starting to wear out. Thanks for all of the replies. I appreciate it.