Carli VS Moog VS OEM Ball Joints

[MAshley]

Like the title says... .



I took my truck into an alignment shop the other day, I figure at 100,000 miles and needing new tires sooner than later it might be nice to know if the factory alignment is still good. LOL Well what do you know it was within spec’s. They also took a look around and found the first joint after the stearing box worn and they said the Ball joints are shot, maybe 10,000 miles left in them, The actually showed me, as they lifted the truck up you could see the knuckle fall down on the ball joint and there was about ¼ inch worth of shinny ball joint showing. Not being an expert with steering components ETC does this sound right?



So my next delema is what do I put in its place? Moog seems to have been around forever and will run about 350-400 for parts, Carli from what I have heard are 800-900 and the OEM I’m sure are up there in price too. I’m not trying to say anyone brand is better, but it seems Carli is really loved on the TDR, but they also haven’t’ been around forever. Correct me if I’m wrong, and they have also had quality issues “granted it seems like they are standing behind and making things right for everyone” Are there really that good that I should shell out almost 2 times as much $$ Again I’m sure anything would be better then what I have now, assuming they are bad.



Truck seems to wonder a little down the highway. Mostly a commuter now, 2006 3500 Dully off-roading is grassy yards and gravel roads.

 

[Prairie Dog]

From everything I've read here, the Moog's don't even last as long as the stockers. When it's time for mine, I'll either go Carli or DynaTrac.

 

[AH64ID]

At 62K my BJ's are starting to wear. They are within spec, but I pull a little to the right. I want to save for the Carli's, but we'll see if I can afford them when the time comes.

 

[CBari]

I put moogs in my 04 and the steering went to crap would have to constantly correct just to keep it between the lines. In my lack of thinking that the new ball joint could be bad, I preceded to replace everything and and I do mean everything under the front end including the steering box. After 6 months of refusing to drive the truck any farther than about the 5 mile trip to work. I got p. o. one day and stopped and bought 4 oem ball joints. I put those in and all my problems were solved. Drives just like new. All my troubles because I wanted a grease fitting. The original oems lasted over a 100k and the ones on my 03 have over 170k.

 

[ENafziger]

The new Carli's are shipping right now, and the redesign looks great! The recessed zerk is done perfectly, and they feel really good. They've gone to great lengths to ensure that every step of the heat treating and machining process is spot on!

I'm confident that this is the last time I'll be touching BJs in this truck!

--Eric

 

[mrtrombley]

Just my 2 cents worth! I just had to replace both upper and lowers at 125K. The Carli's are very expensive so I asked about the MOOGs as read about on TDR. The only ones available were the adjustable, which were not advised as per TDR writers, even though they were greasable. They would have been approx the same cost as OEM's. So I went with the dealers advice, "well, you got 125K out of the original OEM's didn't you". With a universal joint as well, the whole bill ran about $750. Now it's done!

 

[rscurtis]

It's a 5 minute job to drill and tap the factory uppers for a grease fitting for those interested in extending their life.

 

[JSzewczyk]

I too went for an alignment as the truck is pulling to the right and has bad tire wear. I was advised to get 4 new ball joints and a tie rod for about $1200. 00 installed. I have been asking around and my dealer has the complete front end as a package for 1200. 00 for parts but i get the complete steering linkage also. Now I have only 65000 on this truck but I also have the heavy *** texas ranchhand bumper sitting on the front end. I'm interested in any ideas that have been used by others.

 

[MGreer]

Go to Quad 4X4's website and click on the link 2003 and up suspension and steering. Scroll to the bottom of the page and there is a good write up on our ball joints. There is also a cut away of an upper and lower oem ball joint out of an 2005.

Hope this helps

 

[AH64ID]

MGreer, thanks for the link. . Goes to show why they don't last... That and I have ran 33's since 11K miles and do LOTS of dirt road driving...

 

[TMutziger]

I put the Dynatrac's in mine at about 105,000 miles. I've got around 7,000 on them now. I love them. Steering is great. They were $200 less than the Carli's, but are very comparable in quality. They're greaseable and rebuildable whithout special tools or another alignment, so they are the last ball joints I'll need for this truck, hopefully.

 

[firefighter_2000]

It's a 5 minute job to drill and tap the factory uppers for a grease fitting for those interested in extending their life.

Can someone explain how to do this? Where to drill etc? Im needing tie rod ends now. The bj's are fine. I'd like to have ALL of the front end parts greasable. If I can drill & tap the ball joints, tie rod ends (when i get new ones) and all that, It would make things much simpler.



Thanks for any info/pics that anyone can supply.

Craig

 

[rscurtis]

You drill the very top surface of the joint with a . 219 drill, and tap it with a 1/4-28 tap. That is a standard grease fitting thread. This should have been standard from the factory, IMO.

 

[CPittman]

Another vote against Moog. Done Moog twice burned both times. Sticking with the stockers from here on out.

 

[firefighter_2000]

2wd

Does Carli, dynatrac, or any other aftermarket company make steering & suspension parts (ball joints, tie rod ends, etc) for the 2wd models? Im kinda at a disadvantage having the 2wd.

Thanks

Craig