Ball Joints Toast on an 03 4x4

[Matt400]

I put the moog joints in mine last week, they are adjustable as well as greaseable.

Thats great, Now all they need to do is greasable lowers.

 

[rbattelle]

Thats great, Now all they need to do is greasable lowers.

I assume that since they've released the uppers the lowers are not far behind. Anyone know if these are the Moog "M2 Technology" style ball joints?



-Ryan

 

[KBennett]

My truck started wandering a little so I took it in with 35K miles. The service manager said that it was because the left ball joint was bad and it would be covered under warranty.

I didn't think a ball joint would cause wandering



What do you guys think?

 

[Matt400]

I think you should take them up on the warranty offer and if that doesn't fix it to let them know, but yes a bad BJ could cause that.

 

[Tony T.]

Any Updates Lately

Checked my ball joints back latter part of December 05, and they were loose especially drivers side with 33,800 miles on the clock. Took the truck to the dealership, and of course they said there still well in specs. My warranty time ran out 1/13/06 on the 3/36. The service writer told me to be sure and hold onto the service invoice they gave me even though no problem was found (documentation). So question is anyone had any luck with DC replacing ball joints out of warranty even though you complained about them being loose while still in warranty. I figure I just got the brush-off. Now have little over 34K miles and time limit is gone.



Tony

 

[DPKetchum]

You need to call D. C. and tell thwem you want a file opened. give them that invoice number etc. If it was NOT typed imn under a W warranty claim THEY will have NO record etc. 18009921997

 

[Tony T.]

You need to call D. C. and tell thwem you want a file opened. give them that invoice number etc. If it was NOT typed imn under a W warranty claim THEY will have NO record etc. 18009921997

Thanks DP for the info and number I will have them open a file. Mechanic friend of mine said to him they will definitely need replaced soon. He could not believe I was having ball joint problems at only 30K+ miles. I've been checking them every 5K when I do the oil change. Thanks again



Tony

 

[KBennett]

Update...

They repaired mine under warranty. Sevice report shows both upper and lower left hand joints were replaced.



I asked the service manager if this was common and he said it's pretty rare.

 

[4xquadrod]

I had my lowers replaced at 51,000 with spicers. Not sure why I didn't take it to the dealer since I bought the extended warranty for $1000 .

Stupid is as stupid does! :-laf

 

[FLynes]

I just called my dealer today to make an appt. to have my Grover Air Horns and my Isspro Gauges hooked up. While I was at it, I asked him to have the meck-a-neck check my ball joints. When he asked me why, since I only have 12,700 miles, I told him about what I had read here. He told me that they have yet to see a Ram come in with that problem. He also told me that . 090" and . 060" are perfectly acceptable tolerances for ball joints. Actually, what he said after that made me shudder, "Be glad you don't own a Blazer... I believe the tolerance for that is . 120" " Jeez.



Frederic

 

[Jeremiah]

Worthless 7/100,000?

PJ, I dunno about the worthless extended warranty you're talking about. I had four ball joints replaced, three u-joints replaced (including balancing the drive shaft), and a non-functioning heater blower replaced, all under the extended warranty. Cost me $100 per job, which is what the warranty calls for. I have no complaints and figure I got most of my money back even if I have nothing else done - which isn't likely considering I still have 40,000 miles left on the warranty.

 

[Task125]

Well dealer just called,another set of upper and lower ball joints again :--) brought the truck in for universal joint and said to check front end and sure enough

 

[JDerbedrossian]

I put the moog joints in mine last week, they are adjustable as well as greaseable. That is my second set of ball joints installed. I am getting about 30000 to 35000 miles out of the ball joints. I dont know if the moog joints are any better or not yet.

Do you have any part numbers for the moog ball joints for the 3rd gens



thanks, Jake

 

[edgerat]

I just had an alignment done today and they were all scratching their heads. I am hoping it is just the ball joints and not something more serious.

 

[edgerat]

my balljoints are tight like new, and it still pulls hard. The suggestion I have gotten from DC is to install a 1 degree positive camber upper balljoint on the driver's side to offset the pull. I am considering doing a 1/2 degree on each side of the truck to split the difference but this just sounds like a band-aid to me. Anyone have any other suggestions aside from this?

isaac

 

[ECappleman]

Mine has pulled to the right, since day 1.



Solid front axle's are different than independent front ends. Unless you get adjustable caster ball joints, there is no cure. It is the luck of the draw if your truck drives straight, because there is NO adjustment.



As for the above question, as far as I know DC does not make different degree ball joints for the 3rd gen trucks.



Now that being said.....

Has anybody tried the adjustable ones from Moog?

 

[edgerat]

http://rep.racepages.com/parts/race...ory=L&part=Ball Joint&dp=true&showdc=true#top



I havent been able to find the part number for the 3rd gen truck like mine but those show an adjustable FOR CAMBER ball joint. Hopefully this will do the trick and get my truck rolling straight down the road.

 

[oilrunner]

I'll replace with Moog greasable joints as soon as they are available. I put them on my 94 and have used Moog suspension components for around forty years with good results.

MOOG FULLY ADJUSTABLE GREASABLE UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE HERE!!!!



Carquest & rockauto.com

I paid $119. 00 for each upper balll joint from my local carquest dealer.

Rockauto sells them cheaper, but I can exchange these locally if they crap out, and do it for life... ... ... ... .



MOOG part# K7448 for '03-'05 (adjustable camber/caster -1 3/4 to + 1 3/4 degree).

Greasable with limited lifetime, good for as long as you, original purchaser owns vehicle.



Also, Moog part# K7396 for '00-'02 (adjustable camber -1 to + 1 degree). Be sure to check with your alignment shop to make sure 1 degree will bring your alignment in before ordering?



P. S. I would like to get my new SPS 62 a spoolin wildly with a 50' run over the backs of the chrysler product procurement team that allowed these ball joints to get installed on our rigs!!!!



Just a thought, well ok, maybe a little more than just a thought... ... ..... :-laf

 

[Matt400]

Cool!!! glad we finally have a great product to replace the POS OEM joints.

 

[Jeremiah]

Keep us posted on the Moogs, guys

Keep us posted on the Moogs, guys, it's important for those of us who have already had balljoints replaced. .



Excuse a stupid, non-mechanic question: are lower balljoints greasable on some trucks, and if so, is Moog planning oon offering these for 3rd gens too?