Ball joints & tie rod questions

[Vatsa]

Hello-

I have a 2003 4 x 4 3500 dually, with 75K. No lift and never intend too. I have factory size tires but would like to go to Rickson setup with some 245/70R 19. 5’s next. <O</O
<O</O

It pulls right a bit but recently my right front tire really starting rounding on the outer side. I took it to a front end shop today and heard what sounds to be the normal issues: Upper ball joints worn out & tie rod slop.

<O</OI have thumbed through the index pdf's looking for articles in our magazine on third gen front end issues and surprisingly found very little. At least I was surprised given all the threads I find here about this issue, as it appears to be pretty common.

I have spent some time reading threads today and have developed some of my own questions pertaining to my situation. I was hoping for some valued input from the more experienced trollers.

I have tentatively settled on Carli uppers and Moog lowers. Are the Carli uppers overkill? $550 makes my stomach turn.

I was thinking about Moog tie rod ends. <OThey do not appear to be greasable, is this a problem?

Finally, I see there is apparently an entirely re designed tie rod for the 2008's. I saw some pics but read nothing about ball joints. I did see posts about needing new pitman arms if you upgrade. <O

Given that Dodge redesigned the tie rod, are they thinking that will prevent the ball joints from wearing prematurely?

If I upgrade to 2008 tie rod should I just go Moog upper & lower?

What choices would you make to replace & correct?

<OYour input is much appreciated.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have the Carli upper Ball joints and would do it again in a heart beat. The new steering linkage is physically bigger and may be a step in the right direction for a longer life. Running heavier wheels and tires will wear front end components quicker.



Bob

 

[MAllen1]

I haven't had problems out of my tie rods yet, but, should replace. My ball joints I replaced voluntarily when I went to bigger tires on my 99. I went with Moog on uppers and lowers and haven't had a problem in 125000. The only thing that will bug you (I presume each company is this way) is that you have to get a special tool to hit the upper grease fitting on my 4x4.

 

[Grumpy John 4x4]

Suspension

Had Carli install mine this past year, super, what a great set of balls! joints that is

 

[fkovalski]

... The only thing that will bug you (I presume each company is this way) is that you have to get a special tool to hit the upper grease fitting on my 4x4.

Is it just a needle adapter one would use to grease the driveshaft u-joint aor a completely different on?

 

[bheiting]

Vatsa,

Did you happen to read Kent Kroeker's response to "New tie rod Assembly

KORE stabilizer doesn't fit". At this moment it is on page 11 on this section

of the forum.

He is the CEO of KORE products. They use Dodge Rams for their racing

trucks and have done a good deal of research on Ram front ends. I was

surprised that he was critical of Dodge and commented about screwed up

front end geometry right from the factory. According to their testing, the

pre 2008 steering linkage caused a change in tow in angle as the wheel

assembly travels upward. This is the major cause of the infamous death

wobble. As you can imagine this puts tremendous stress on bearing assembies, ball joints, steering boxes etc. Dodge makes a fortune replacing

front end parts. I guess the number of deaths from separating ball joints

hasn't prompted Dodge management to issue recalls. May they burn in hell!!!

There is a technical service bulletin for this problem. I have a 2007 Ram

with 11000 miles and my local dealer refused to install the 2008 steering

linkage under warranty. Good Luck.

 

[Bob4x4]

Vatsa,

Did you happen to read Kent Kroeker's response to "New tie rod Assembly

KORE stabilizer doesn't fit". At this moment it is on page 11 on this section

of the forum.

He is the CEO of KORE products. They use Dodge Rams for their racing

trucks and have done a good deal of research on Ram front ends. I was

surprised that he was critical of Dodge and commented about screwed up

front end geometry right from the factory. According to their testing, the

pre 2008 steering linkage caused a change in tow in angle as the wheel

assembly travels upward. This is the major cause of the infamous death

wobble. As you can imagine this puts tremendous stress on bearing assembies, ball joints, steering boxes etc. Dodge makes a fortune replacing

front end parts. I guess the number of deaths from separating ball joints

hasn't prompted Dodge management to issue recalls. May they burn in hell!!!

There is a technical service bulletin for this problem. I have a 2007 Ram

with 11000 miles and my local dealer refused to install the 2008 steering

linkage under warranty. Good Luck.

Hva you ever seen a ctd with a separated ball joint ?

@ 110k miles you are a bit out of the 3/36 basic warranty.



Bob

 

[bheiting]

Bob,
I have not actually heard of that happening. Recently in my area (Minnesota) there
was a case where a Ram went out of control on a dry road, crossed a freeway median,
and plowed head on into an on coming vehicle. There were several fatalities. I never
heard the actual cause. Was it just the driver? Who knows. However, with all the
problems HD Rams have with bad ball joints, unit bearing failures, steering boxes
being torn from the frame, steering box leakage, doesn't the death wobble thing
make you a bit suspicious?
Bill

 

[Bob4x4]

I have over 30 years in the auto industry. I have seen many parts under sized for my use and perhaps could or should have been designed better. I have never seen or heard of a 25/3500 4x4 Dodge that had a ball joint separate.

I am pretty sure just about every OEM has had ball joint recalls,but most revolve around the seal being inadequate allowing corrosion to set in causing problems. Our ball joints only rotate on the 4x4 they don't have to articulate like the 2x's.

I never have had any D/W on my 2nd gen even with a 3" lift and d rated tires. The 3rd gen had it happen due to faulty bfg tires. New tires problem gone.

With the advent of the internet we see all the bad very quickly and I beleive we get a skewed veiw of the big picture. The diesel websites represent a very small minority of the overall diesel ownership. Most of the diesel owners I come into contact with have never heard of any of the forums.

In your single car accident scenario I am sure if it was an equipment failure the lawyers would have publicised it extensively for there benefit.



Bob