balljoint life?

[Scrappy]

How many miles you all got on your trucks with the original balljoints. I took mine to an alignment shop this morning and they just called saying that I need new balljoints:--) . I have 11k mi on it now and I am wondering if this is normal or are they trying to make some money from me. Look at my sig for mods, is any of this enough to accelerate the wear on them to this point? It NEVER has been offroad and never overloaded so I don't understand how this could be.

 

[CIverson]

I had my upper ones go at 5k miles and I think the drivers side upper is starting to let go again at 20k.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I started a thread in the general diesel forum concerning the non-greasable points in our later truck suspension - and pointed out that I use a hypodermic-type needle attachment for my grease gun to carefully inject grease into various suspension and steering joints. I fully believe that doing so produces no risk to the sealed nature of those joints, is preferrable to merely HOPING they were adequately greased for life at time of manufacture, and I'm confident my component life will be maximized by doing so.



I have 27,000 mile and 2 years on my truck - not a whole lot - but my various steering components are still as tight as new - and prior to my first injection of grease, the sealed boots were from all indications, completely empty of lube...



Posts from other users like the first 2 in this thread are not at all uncommon - so I don't think I'm too far off base...

 

[y-knot]

I suppose it might have something to do with were you live and what type of roads you have. People that do alot of dirt or gravel roads probaly don't get as much time out of their balljoints. Mine are still the OEM ones, and the front is still tight.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

YUP - serious off-roading and construction work out in rougher areas undoubtedly place greater stress on steering suspension - AND even greater need for all the lube protection you can provide...

 

[Scrappy]

update

My truck is at the dealer right now to get them replaced. I don't use this truck off road( that's what the 4wheeler is for) and it only has 11800mi. on it so this is kind of irritating to me for them to be bad already.

 

[SLinse]

8000 miles of highway use and had 3 ball joints and 2 tie rod ends. Hopefully not a trend!!

 

[John - K5AWO]

... ... . 35/12. 5R17 BFG Mud Terrain KM's,... ...



your tires aren't helping anything, but less than 12k miles? I would go get a 2nd opinion. I smell $tealership

 

[Yo Hoot]

Interesting. Wonder if some got through unlubricated? There are people out there with many more miles and no front end work.

 

[rbattelle]

Gary - can you post a link to the hypodermic grease gun fitting you use (or one similar)?

 

[WPeschel]

Hello I have 48,000 miles on mine I just found out that mine are out too... Its gonna cost me over 500$ to get them replace by the dealer... . Im soooooooo pi$$$ed..... Do thay make a aftermarket greasable set of balljoints?

 

[rbattelle]

I checked out Moog, but they have no listings for any suspension components for our trucks.



What's the best way to determine if your ball joints are bad?

 

[WPeschel]

Im not sure this is what the dealer told me???

 

[Buzzer]

If you put on the brakes and there is a noticable "clunk" from the front end is one way to tell. Jacking up the front end put your hands on the top and bottom of the tire and try to rock it. If you notice excessive play thats another. Also put your hands at 9 and three o'clock and try to rock that way. Excessive play will be felt if they're bad. Also I used Moog on my 97 when I replaced them. Good ball joints.

 

[WPeschel]

I checked out Moog, but they have no listings for any suspension components for our trucks.

What is Moog web site I will try to contact them to see if they have some????

 

[Speedo]

I replaced the lower ball joints on my '99 at 140,000 miles and the uppers were still good but I replaced them also. I used greaseable ball joints when I replaced them so I won't have to do them again.



Gus

 

[gravedigger]

Upper and lower have been replaced on the driver's side at about 5k miles due to a drunk driver hitting me head on at about 30 mph. Other side have not been replaced and I know have 16k miles on my truck, and running 35" tires.

 

[bzingre]

This doesn't sound too promising. I just turned 43K and have no problem. Steering is still tight and everthing seems to ride pretty good. I've had the 315/70s on for about 10K. Hope everything stays together.

 

[RichardAndrews]

Iv'e got 24000 miles and everything is tight so far , Iv'e ran the 315- 70 17 BFG since 500 miles,also a freind has a 2003 with 70000 miles and nothing done to it . Both 4X4 WILDMAN

 

[one8upcb]

I have 29,900 and no issues