Ball joints revisited???

[steved]

OK, upper balljoints are loose on both sides at 114k...



I priced them at Napa, they need to order them in and are not sure they are correct... $84/each (upper and lowers are the same $$)... not sure they are greaseable...



Quad has the OEs for $220... not greaseable...



The local Moog supplier doesn't have a listing... they had a listing not even a year ago too...



RockAuto lists a Spicer for the 2004 (NOT the same number as a 1999 Dana 60) for $65/each... but they don't appear greaseable...





So should I:



A) buy the OEs from Quad and drill them for a zerk??



B) spend another $120 on what might be greaseable TRWs from Napa??



... or did someone find a source for greaseable balljoints for the 3rd gens???



I'm going to need to replace mine before the end of May (my state inspection is up and they are on the border of pass/fail... not wanting to chance it)...



Any advice on where to look??? I only need "zeros", don't need any offset for alignment...



Thanks,

steved

 

[steved]

Anyone? I know I'm not the only one who has looked into this... :-laf



steved

 

[DGrimes]

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php



give this place a look. found what I needed for my front end . . hope it helps

 

[steved]

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php



give this place a look. found what I needed for my front end . . hope it helps

I know, I listed their price in the first post... but I'm not sure their joints are greaseable... were your's???? Which ones did you use? They list spicer as being the only zero offset joint, but they don't appear to have a zerk??



steved

 

[jwilliams3]

When I first had one go bad lack of grease was not the culprit.

 

[steved]

At 114k, I figure mine are just plain worn out...

 

[rbattelle]

Moog K7467 - lower greasable.
Moog K7448 - upper greasable adjustable.

Both are available at Rock Auto. I bought a complete set. They're right there in the Rock Auto catalog... did you not see them?

Ryan

 

[steved]

When I looked, there were spicer and AC Delco that were non-adjustable...



Is there a non-adjustable Moog???



steved

 

[COSEng]

I just installed the NAPA joints.



The Part numbers are on the internet at napaonline.com

(let me know if you cant find them)



Uppers and lowers are greasable.



Both are nonadjustable (I didn't want to mess with alignment during install).



Greasing the lower after everything is assembled is a bit tricky. The U-joint has to be in just the right position.



Carl



Edit



Upper: NCP2601580

Lower: NCP2601579



Picutres on the web do not show the zerk fittings, but they have them.

 

[steved]

I just installed the NAPA joints.



The Part numbers are on the internet at napaonline.com

(let me know if you cant find them)



Uppers and lowers are greasable.



Both are nonadjustable (I didn't want to mess with alignment during install).



Greasing the lower after everything is assembled is a bit tricky. The U-joint has to be in just the right position.



Carl



Edit



Upper: NCP2601580

Lower: NCP2601579



Picutres on the web do not show the zerk fittings, but they have them.

Thanks...



I guess I just can't believe these cost just shy of $400 for balljoints... I miss my Dana...



steved

 

[rbattelle]

Is there a non-adjustable Moog???

Not that I'm aware of. I guess when it comes time I'll be fighting with the camber/caster adjustment.



It'll be a good learning experience.



Ryan

 

[pwknapp]

Quite a few of our company gas field trucks are Dodges. Mechanics refuse to use NAPA ball joints because of their short life. They hate having to replace them after so few miles. JM. 02

 

[Turbo Kidd]

NAPA replacement ball joints suck! I had a set after my OEM's went bad (40,000 miles), and the NAPA ball joints only lasted 19,000 miles... . What a JOKE! The shop I deal with has a NAPA replacement and a Moog both cut in half. The NAPA has a nylon ring inside! The Moog is metal on metal with grease flutes in the shaft and on the ball.



Yes, the alignment is more difficult because they are adjustable, however, a good reputable shop can do a great alignment for you. Spend the money on the alignment and good ball joints up front, or you will be doing them again and again.



Good Luck!

 

[Lorenz]

The shop I deal with has a NAPA replacement and a Moog both cut in half. The NAPA has a nylon ring inside! The Moog is metal on metal with grease flutes in the shaft and on the ball.

You wouldn't want to get a picture of that for us would you? A cheap camera phone would do.

 

[Turbo Kidd]

Lorenz... . No problem. I will not be able to get to the shop until Monday, but I would be happy to take a picture. In fact I just found out that the owner is member #2 on this board! He has two VERY nice smokers! When I was at the shop a few weeks back we were talking about the U-joint problems that are all too common for most of use... . Well the conversation evolved and I made a new friend... LOL!

 

[wcjp]

Friend with Dana 44 on his Jeep found out Moog has what's called the "problem solver" series(?). Supposed to have a zerk mounted to the side. Allows easy grease service at all times. Not sure of availability for other axle types.

 

[rbattelle]

Friend with Dana 44 on his Jeep found out Moog has what's called the "problem solver" series(?).

Just as an aside, Moog does offer a "problem solver" series of joints. The problems that they address are not always as trivial as moving a grease fitting to an easier position. Often, components in this series are made to address a specific hardware flaw in the original design.



Ryan

 

[HOBrian]

I just got the Spicers from Rock Auto, are these okay or should I return and get the moog????? Upper and lower are greasable uppers are adjustable.

 

[rbattelle]

I just got the Spicers from Rock Auto, are these okay or should I return and get the moog????? Upper and lower are greasable uppers are adjustable.

No no, Spicers should be fine. Use 'em, as long as they're greaseable.

Ryan

 

[JasonCzerak]

couldn't find any spricers

Couldn't find any spicer lowers! I figured I'd get the same brand if anything ya know? I spent hte $400 on the moog uppers and lowers.



total in parts. $480 for ball joints and axle joints.