Ball Joints (Grease fittings, More Durable ?)

[Bernie]

I have 180k on my truck, and the drivers Lower Ball Joint is going bad. I am looking for suggestions of any good grease fitting models or more durable ball joint options.



Also, I have in the last 20k miles done the wheel bearing assemblies, outer front u joints, and all the joints and carrier bearing on the front and rear shafts. Because down time is a problem, are there any other wear parts you would recommend I replace while I am doing the ball joints?



Thanks

 

[steved]

While others will tell you to buy the aftermarket "improved" ball joints, if you got 180k on your first set; it would be hard not to justify using what works. Moog offers a stock replacement that is greaseable, and works fine. I've been running them for the last 65k without an issue, 245k on the truck. Quad4x4 offered greaseable AAM (read: OEM) joints a while back, not sure if they still do or not.

Dodge Ram AAM 9. 25 Front Axle

The key with any ball joint is use a waterproof grease... I found that the cheaper greases allow water into the joint assembly, which causes rust. I was using the local house-brand grease and was getting a lot of water and rusted greased purged at every greasing. I have since switched to Schaeffer's grease, and I get no water or rust between greasings.

 

[SDrake]

Ditto on Moog. My 94 joints went out at 60K, very disappointing. Put Moog greasables in thinking it would be a oft repeated process. They are still there and tight and the truck (son now owns) has 295K on it now.

I do believe part of the problem of premature wear is in getting them installed with out a bind. It is very difficult to get them situated so they are not under excess load from the orientation in the knuckle. I will insist on feeling mine turn while still loose from the tie rod if and when I have to change the ones on my 2003. If they are not smooth I will deal with it then and there, not after they have worn out prematurely.

 

[SWithrow]

I had STOCK joints fail at 40k and again at 80K, I installed MOOG's and currently have 170K on them, my opinion is to at least go with the MOOG as they can be greased. M2C.

 

[brods]

Avoid the moogs, for the lowers anyway. I went out of my way to get Moog parts only to have to change the lowers out after 14K miles. Their heavy duty stabilizer links had fit issues. XRF appears to make a decent joint. No idea on how well they hold up over the long haul though.

 

[Bernie]

Camber and Caster

Suggestions on "fixed" or adjustable camber caster models? Suggestions on where to purchase?



Thanks

 

[AH64ID]

I have heard that MOOG quality has gone downhill in recent years, so take that for what its worth as greater than 4th hand info...

I plan to go with XRF's, which won't be too far away. I have had signs of a failing set on the right side for about 8K... I'm at 64K now.

 

[brods]

NON ADJUSTABLE unless you really need the adjustable ones to fix some existing problem. Do a search and you’ll find that the adjustable ones are difficult to set up properly.



XRFs can be bought from the Tire Club XRF Ball Joint Dodge Ram 2500 3500 Tie Rod End | Ball Joint Kits Available at The Tire Club

I ordered lowers from there and they were delivered promptly. They also have McQuay Norris greasable ones if that is what you prefer.

MCQUAY-NORRIS McQuay-Norris DODGE RAM HD 4X4 KIT FA2214 - FA2215,MFA2214MFA2215 - The Tire Club



For OEM joints Quad is still around. They appear to be under new ownership: Dodge Ram AAM 9. 25 Front Axle



If you have your heart set on Moogs, Rock Auto has them and if you get some bad ones they will replace them or take them back for store credit if you don’t want to try your luck again on another set.

 

[TBartlett1]

I have in the past seen import parts (including balljoints) in name brand boxes. I would guess because of availability they substituted china for US products thinking we would not notice! Check for country of origin.

I also have found that grease has a large impact on component life and performance. Years ago I started using Moly fortified grease which also cured a problem with my steering being reluctant to self center after a turn.

Depending on your driving conditions & climate greasing every 2~3k may be necessary to get acceptable service.



Tim

 

[EDankievitch]

We've found out here in the East that the Moog ball joints might be great for the gasser trucks but seem to bind up with the extra weight of the diesel. Every set we've installed has caused us handeling problems. Now the only ball joints I will install are Dynatraxx and Carli. The Carli uppers are life time, meaning that you'll never have to replace them again. I have one truck with almost 100,000 miles on them and they are just as smooth as the day they went in with no play in them. The Dynatraxx are are right up there in quality. Both offer grease fittings but you will find when you grease them on instalation they will take almost no grease when you give them a shot at each oil change. I know that $$$ is always an issue but when you do this job don't you want the parts to last and never have to do them again??? Dynatraxx now offers the set for a not so bad price. I would also do the 08 steering linkage up-grade Moog now offers the parts and I thing their tierod ends have grease fittings. The nice thing about the up-grade is that once you set the toe in setting it does not change with the truck bouncing as the older set up did.

 

[SWithrow]

I had STOCK joints fail at 40k and again at 80K, I installed MOOG's and currently have 170K on them, my opinion is to at least go with the MOOG as they can be greased. M2C.

CORRECTION: I have 170k on the truck and 90k on the Moog joints...

 

[timelessconstructionllc]

Sob. I just ordered the 08 steering linkage upgrade but I didn't get moogs. Did I drop the ball on this one?

 

[EDankievitch]

No, The 08 kit is good I'm very happy with how it's held up on my 05, I've got about 70,000 on it now and it's still tight.

 

[Regcabguy]

Source Automotive offers the '08. 5+ steering with tre zerks.