Bad Ball Joints @ 45K! Arrrgh!

[JMarshallW]

Added MT's 18" Classic II's a couple of days ago w/325/60 Baja ATZs and a 2-1/2 Tuff Country Leveling Kit. Went for an alignment as a preventive measure this afternoon from Bert's here in Va Beach. Tech said, I had bad ball joints. Hard to believe at 45K. 99% of my driving is Highway. Been offroad once at Boy Scout camp and a dozen trips to the landfill.



Is this an atypical case? Most of my Truck friends surprised. Thoughts?

 

[DMcPherson]

mine were done at 54k not aure how long they were bad for. wheel bearings too.

 

[wneubauer]

Maybe get a second opine? Any symptoms of ball joint trouble?



I hope that is atypical as you drive yours the same as I do... .

 

[Task125]

There are a few threads on this,I had 30 thousand on my 03 and had upper and lower replaced then again at 45000. I could never figure out how a 3500 truck that never pulled a trailer and 90% highway miles go thru ball joints and U joints.

Back in the day I had a 1/2 ton chevy with 6in lift and 3in body lift with 40in tires and never had a problem with any drive train parts.

 

[JCyrbok]

Mine were done at 45K as well. I complained about uneven tire wear while in to get the VP replaced (figured if truck was gonna be there might as well have the techs busy while they wait on the VP to come in) and was told it was the Ball Joints (uppers if I remember). They changed them out under the extended warranty, tires wear more even now, over last 15K.



J-

 

[steved]

On the third gens there is quite a bit of up/down play in the joints for whatever reason... but they won't move in the horizontal plane at all... I just had mine up this weekend... the driver's side joint has about 1/4" of vertical movement, but you can't tip the tire in/out at all... this is with almost 90k on the clock...



steved

 

[2-ND TIME]

Bad ball joints?

Sorry didn't read all the responces! When you are turning are you moving??? This is important for longjevity of front end parts, made worse bye the larger tires which is what you have I think? Hope this isn't too redundent?

 

[dresslered]

Replaced my front end at 63,000 miles (ball joints, tie rods, etc. ). Changed over to the Moog and DSS and everything is still tight at 95k.

 

[Nate]

Seems like the 3rd gens eat up ball joints. Sounds like the Durangos... I changed ball joints on those with 15,000-20,000 and the joints were wasted!



My 2nd gen had 143,000 when I did the ball joints, and only 1 was worn, though I changed them all.

 

[dslmacdown]

I replaced mine at 28K after about 3 years.

 

[JMarshallW]

Appreciate all the Responses, Dodge says ball joints still in spec!

I appreciate all the good gouge on the Ball Joints. I took the truck in last Friday, and Dodge got back to me today indicating the ball joints are still within tolerances. . 060in allowed on the Upper Ball Joints, . 090in allowed on the Lower Ball Joints.



My specs were: Upper L: . 030in, R: . 018 Lower L: . 015in, R: . 017



The Dodge measurements seem miniscule compared to the movement I witnessed at the alignment shop.



So does anyone know the bottomline? Is vertical movement acceptable, and will it affect the quality of the alignment?



It would seem to me, the tighter the suspension, the less chance for the alignment to slip and maintain better tire wear and tread life.





Kind of wondering what the best course of action is? Fight Dodge or take the movement as normal wear and tear and proceed with the alignment and new Bilstein 5100's.

 

[steved]

So does anyone know the bottomline? Is vertical movement acceptable, and will it affect the quality of the alignment?

Mine have over . 25" of vertical movement in both sides... I remember reading that dodge doesn't care about vertical movement, only that which is in a horizontal plane that would affect alignment. I even think there is a TSB out there about the acceptable measurements... might want to hunt and see if it exists...



To date (and 90k), I have yet to wear the tires funny or have alignment issues... but it does make checking the joints next to impossible...



steved

 

[Turbo Thom]

I just changed upper and lower on a 94. The clock has 310K and they were "really" shot. My 96, 3500 is at 341K, and still on the OEM setup. The 96 has had a hard life also.



. . Preston. .