Ball joint question

[Fiver]

While shopping ball joints for my '03 yesterday one tire shop's supplier told him that the specific ball joints I would require depended on whether the lower joints have a knurled flange and also said that the lower joint has to come off before one can tell. What? The dodge dealer did not even mention this when pricing a set for me, nor has anyone else. Anyone out there heard of this?

 

[Bob4x4]

:-laf Don't let them touch your truck

 

[mwilson]

:-laf Don't let them touch your truck

X2



Mike.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Sometimes I think those guys work on so many different trucks that they start mixing them up.

 

[Fiver]

That's what I was thinking as not even the dealer mentioned this. Have spoken to two more outlets since and nary a word spoken regarding different ball joint requirements. Thanks guys, I just had to ask. By the way, am going with XRF. Good price, 1 million mile warranty, and good reviews.

 

[RDeFayette]

Actually they were just cover all bases by not ASSUMING that the ball joints are original. A lot of the aftermarket (Moog, Federal, McQuay-Norris AND XRF if not mistaken) are going to knurled bodies on the ball joints as the knuckle tends to get "hogged" out over multiple changes. The knurling takes care of that by increasing the diameter of the ball joint body. Only issue with that is once knurled ball joints are installed "smooth" body joints won't work as the "flop" around in the bore.

Ergo the question "do you have knurled or smooth bore ball joints in the truck know"?

It would be a good idea to make a note of what type of ball joint goes back in (smooth or knurled) so IF you have to replace them again you get the correct type.

my 0. 02

 

[Fiver]

RDeFayette, good advice on documenting and saving replacement specs. What's this "multiple changes"? Bought truck new and haven't foggiest idea if ball joints are smooth or otherwise and the dealer doesn't know. Doesn't matter though as the whole set is being replaced???

 

[RDeFayette]

RDeFayette, good advice on documenting and saving replacement specs. What's this "multiple changes"? Bought truck new and haven't foggiest idea if ball joints are smooth or otherwise and the dealer doesn't know. Doesn't matter though as the whole set is being replaced???

You bought it new so the ball joints are smooth.

See even I did the same thing. Until I'm told I don't assume anything. lol

Dealer probably didn't ask because they new that you bought it new. Tire shop parts supplier was just doing it's due diligence. They we're actually more on top of things than any of the other independant supplies that didn't know the vehicle history. (IMO) Hard to believe that you found someone that actually knew that there IS a difference. Kuddos to them. These guys probably (guessing here) didn't know if the b. joints were original or if you are on you're 4th set.

remember this though for next time as I said before, Only issue with that is once knurled ball joints are installed "smooth" body joints won't work as the "flop" around in the bore.

 

[jhpfennig]

I'm also looking to replace the upper & lower ball joints on my 2005 3500 4x4 @ 63,000 miles. I thought they would have lasted longer but oh well ! Don't want to go with OEM as they are not greaseable. Are the Dynatrac ProSteer rebuildable ball joints worth the money (how much $) ? Who sells the XRF joints and what do they cost ? Thank God for the TDR. Appreciate your help.

 

[jhenderson]

I have 287,000 miles on my truck. I'm getting ready to install set number 3. The originals lasted 175,000. Then I installed XRF joints. I'm not to impressed. They were not greasable, and after 50,000 miles the lowers started to squeak. Now the uppers are shot. This time I went for DYNATRAC, bout I'm not sure about them either. 2 1/2 times the money, supposedly greasable, but the lowers come with a flush style fitting that requires a needle type adapter. There is no way to grease that fitting with the axle installed. Bynthe way, the XRF joints were knurled, so I had the new ones knurled also.

 

[BKWelliver]

I did upper and lower Carli. Greaseable using a regular grease fitting. I hit em ever 5k when I do an oil change. they are Beef Cake.

 

[S.Morris]

I have installed Dyna trac in two trucks and one set of Carli's. The jury is still out as far as life span but I would lean towards the Dynatracs. They are sealed up tight and do not need grease added. If you grease a dyna you have to be very careful not to push out the seal. They are not designed to be greased/flushed till grease looks new aka Moog or the like.

 

[jhpfennig]

Where can I purchase Dyna Trac & Carli ball joints and what can I expect to pay ? Thanks for your replies.