Ball joints bad already

[CIverson]

Well, I got my 35's installed today and I was having the shop do an alignment as I haven't gotten one done since I installed my SJ coils. I got a call back saying that all of the ball joints were bad.



I took it home and jacked up the wheel and sure enough it's got quite a bit of play in it.



I hope this isn't a sign of a weak point w/ only 5300 miles on it there is no way they should be bad already.



BTW: anyone know the TSB# for the window felt deal? Might as well have that done, the door adjusted for the wind noise, and the 2100 RPM vibe TSB done all at once.

 

[Bob Wagner]

03 TSB's

 

[CIverson]

Yeah I looked there but it ain't listed

 

[DPKetchum]

Some play is normal. The shop manual will give specs on how much. Seen lots of joints and other frt end parts replaced and not a darn thing wrong with old ones. There is a spec for movement in joints. I would doubt seriously that at 5300 hundred miles there bad. i could be wrong but would not trust that diagnosis

 

[CIverson]

I've never had a ball joint move when trying to move the tire w/ my hands before. So I don't see how they can say that that is fine!

 

[sag2]

The book gives a spec of . 020 play for the 1500 truck, but nothing for the 2500-3500. Some of the Durangos and Jeeps allow . 060, and that looks like they are falling out when they get that loose. Have the dealer check them properly with a dial indicator. I suspect they are not worn out.

 

[DPKetchum]

Ball joints don't move by hand. They move with a prize bar under the tire and lifting. some have specs of up to . 120

 

[rbattelle]

CIverson,



Is the dealer going to warranty the old joints for you? Any chance the aftermarket is making a greasable replacement yet?

 

[curatchko]

Anyone every try drilling our own to make them greasable?



It's not an uncommon procedure.



Chris

 

[CATCRACKER]

yea there are people who have done it to the new trucks

 

[CIverson]

Originally posted by rbattelle

CIverson,



Is the dealer going to warranty the old joints for you? Any chance the aftermarket is making a greasable replacement yet?

There is no way they can not warranty them really. My coils didn't change the pressures on the ball joints, and the day I had my tires installed was the day they said the joints were bad.



I really don't know about an aftermarket one. But I read in the engine forum where it seemed someone installed a 2nd gen adj. ball joint in an 03 if that helps.

 

[RAMINSPEED]

CIverson

The TSB for the window felt came out in October. I don't know the number but I'd think your dealer can get it. I took my truck in yesterday and mentioned the TSB and he found it listed and ordered the new felt.

 

[PBeaudoin]

I don't know if the Dakota/Durango have a similar design in the front end ball joints, but a customer of mine had to have his replaced at 75K at a cost of 2400. 00 thru the ******* here in N. C. He was told to hold on to the receipt because Dodge is probably going to recall or replace worn out Ball joint if you have under 100K. This was in Oct/03

If we all have the same Ball joint manufacturer or design flaw we all may be in trouble?

 

[rbattelle]

I cannot imagine that new ball joints on a straight-axle truck would run $2400. That is absolutely insane.

 

[wlowe]

I recently saw the Dodge Durango ball joint problem on television. Did a search and found the article on the web. Here it is:



http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/10/27/eveningnews/main580233.shtml



Looks like the beginning of a class action lawsuit.



Bill

 

[CIverson]

Had my appt. w/ the dealer this A. M. to check the ball joints. All 4 are bad and go figure they are all on backorder

 

[DPKetchum]

Damn! Did they tell you what specs were or have they seen this before? Their just not replacing them to keep you satisfied are they?

 

[CIverson]

Didn't mention any specs, but I knew for a fact before hand the uppers were bad because I could move them by hand.



He said it is just "weird", so basically he hasn't seen it on a 3rd gen before mine.



All he did say is that the uppers had the side to side play I had told him about and that the lowers had some up and down play.

 

[rbattelle]

If it's uncommon for ball joints on these trucks to go bad, then why are they on backorder? Hmmm...

 

[DPKetchum]

Maybe they never needed to have any to ship also. If its not used they don't have especially when the line is running building new trucks