Ball joints

[CUMMINZ]

Is it unusual to have front ball joints loosening after 55k?

 

[CRuth]

Unfortunately, the answer is no.

 

[RDeFayette]

IMHO,

The ball joints are not known to last/wear very well.

The additional mass of the tire and wheel combination you are running is probably not helping things.

Granted the tires will last ALOT longer than the stockers BUT the front suspension was not designed to carry the additional loads that are imposed on it by oversize/heavier wheel and tire combinations.

 

[Wertles]

Mine have just been replaced for the 2nd time in 80,000 miles on stock tires. The first time was at 60,000. I "believe" they did the entire 08 steering upgrade this time. Hoping that these will last a bit longer this time. Many have reported much better results with this upgrade. I only have 500 miles on since replacement. It feels better, a little tighter than before and less steering wheel play. I had an extended warranty and the whole thing cost me $54.

 

[LBARTLETT]

I just had the lowers replaced on my 2-wheel drive at 50,000 so nope, not uncommon

 

[CUMMINZ]

What does a set of factory ball joints cost. DynaTrac has Pro Steer Ball Joints in the $650. 00 range that they claim are extremely good.







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Since 1992, many heavy duty, 4x4 pickups and SUV's have front axles such as those from AAM, and the Dana 50 or 60. These axles have steering knuckles equipped with ball joints.



This design has replaced the older, king-pin style knuckles. The ball joint knuckle has fixed some nagging problems that were typical in the old king-pin axle assemblies such as wheel shimmy, wandering, and certain wear problems. In addition the ball joint style axle costs less to manufacture and assemble at the factory. However, many truck owners still believe the old king-pin set-up was better. Well finally you can have the best of both worlds. Announcing the new Dynatrac Ball Joint.



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Factory ball joints are subject to premature wear when used with heavy diesel motors, snow plows or large tire and wheel combinations. The Dynatrac Ball Joints provide higher strength, longer life and once installed can be rebuilt without special tools. This improves servicing the ball joints more easily in the field or at home. Rebuilding the Dynatrac Ball Joint at home or at your local shop will cost less than having new OEM ball joints installed at an alignment shop or the dealer.



Ball JointsFeaturesBenefitsPart NumbersDodge Installation InstructionsArticles

 

[ENafziger]

As far as I know, these are the hands-down absolute best available:

Dodge Ram Ball Joints, Extreme Duty Ball Joint Kit for Dodge Ram Trucks

They initially had some metallurgical issues, but since have been worked out.

--Eric

 

[EDankievitch]

I'v got the uppers they have been awesome for 80,000 miles now. Dynatraxx makes an awesome set as well and the price for the set (uppers and lowers) is not too bad.

 

[RDeFayette]

I am just going make an astute (I hope) observation.

I just realized (little slow sometimes) the factory generally utilizes/changes to parts that are less expensive to produce (read less cost per unit for them) and easier to install during production.

If that is the case why back in the old days 70's-80's did ball joints, bearings, universals, etc. cost comparatively little to the cost of the replacement parts we are forced to buy today.

AND why is replacement today such a pain in the A_ _ compared to back then.

Replaceing front bearings, u-joints, etc back then you could do in an hour or so in the driveway without having go through all the gyrations required today?

It just seems to me that we are going backwards.

back then you didn't have to ask everone what was the best replacement part to use, just go down to the corner supermarket put a quarter in the gumball machine and that was it (tongue in check).

???????

 

[Mhannink]

I am just going make an astute (I hope) observation.

I just realized (little slow sometimes) the factory generally utilizes/changes to parts that are less expensive to produce (read less cost per unit for them) and easier to install during production.

If that is the case why back in the old days 70's-80's did ball joints, bearings, universals, etc. cost comparatively little to the cost of the replacement parts we are forced to buy today.

AND why is replacement today such a pain in the A_ _ compared to back then.

Replaceing front bearings, u-joints, etc back then you could do in an hour or so in the driveway without having go through all the gyrations required today?

It just seems to me that we are going backwards.

back then you didn't have to ask everone what was the best replacement part to use, just go down to the corner supermarket put a quarter in the gumball machine and that was it (tongue in check).

???????

now i know im a rather young buck at 23yrs old. however i have worked on a lot of older vehicals and while i cant speak to the cost of parts back then i think i can speak as a professional mechanic that working on the older stuff isnt really any more difficult then today. now before anyone argues yes back before the 90s things where rather simple. what im talking about is actually changing a part out there are a few more things to take off maybe but its the same tools and the same process which for me has never really been difficult. ive had easy fixes and difficult ones on new and old vehicals with no common trend. as for the cost. that is simply economics. the dollar was worth a lot more back then than it is today. so parts seem more expensive now when in actuality i would bet the parts are actually cheaper today if you count in the inflation rate. this while maintaining or even improving the quality of the part as compared to the old days.

 

[RDeFayette]

My point is/was back in the day

Just short of going to the local market you could get parts to fix any vehicle, any where.

No specialty parts, no special tools NOTHING.

If you had a pair of tweezers a toe nail clipper and a curling iron you could just about do a complete rebuild of your truck in the driveway on a Sunday afternoon during halftime.

That's all I'm saying.

Working on the older stuff was easier just for this reason.

Quality of the new parts. I think all the other "old timers" will agree with me that the ONLY way you could call any of the new parts quality would be if that was the name of the company. The stuff that comes out of the box sure isn't (hence the huge aftermarket in "stock" replacement parts).

If the replacement parts were actually quality parts there would not be a need for Carli Suspension, Spin Tek, Dyna Trac, Suncoast, etc. , etc. , etc.

I the stock and/or replacement parts are any good at all NO ONE in the aftermarket would be making "better" replacemenrt parts as there would be no demand and therefore NO market.

Just the sheer number of manufacturers of aftermarket parts says everything that needs to be said about QUALITY.

 

[snuff]

went with carli in the spring, both sides upper and lower, nice and tight. now i have a float going over bumps, it is the track bar now. ball joints are still tight. the thing is see with these is you have keep them greased or they will dry out, there is no dust seal on them just the little o-ring inside so to keep them clean you have to grease them religously. so far i have had no problems...