Carli’s or Dynatrac for ball joints?

[mwilson]

Thanks Ozy, I may have to...

They arrived today, look pretty nice...

 

[jgillott]

Trying to figure out how you got 156K out of your last set.

 

[mwilson]

I didn’t... the OEM’s went 65,000 miles. Took it out of storage one spring in Bangor, headed for Lincoln up I-95. Passed a Blazer and almost hit it because the RH upper ball joint froze up.
So these Moogs lasted about 90,000 miles...

 

[jgillott]

That makes more sense. If that 156K was the case, you may have won the prize for the longest mileage on one of these trucks.

 

[mwilson]

The wheel bearings are original at 156,000. Didn't mean to confuse people.

I'll get a picture of the pretty ball joints in the box lovingly nested in foam cutouts....the only feature missing is a bright heavenly glow when you open the cover...and possibly some angelic background music....

 

[mwilson]

Now if the rain will hold off some over the weekend so I can get them installed.....just isn't room enough in the garage to work on both sides of the truck and deal with the ball joint press, etc....I need room to move...

The fifth wheel is still on my storage lot, have to go get that before I tear the truck apart...and can't go get it until I finish putting the driver's door back together from the 4th Gen Power Fold mirror install....because I can't adjust the mirrors yet.....too far behind this spring due to the weather....

 

[jgillott]

Hey Mike, My '07 has been running for 2 days in a row now....LOL You are welcome to borrow it to move things around if needed. No guarantees on how long it will last though.

 

[mwilson]

 

[Wayne M.]

That’s a great investment, Mike. I like the Red Line EP grease they supplied.
Reminder to get enough air when you jack up. You’ll wind up with the BJ press screw on the ground, and if it’s big enough like my OTC C frame, you won’t have enough to get a wrench or socket underneath.

 

[mwilson]

I have moved the camper up here, now I can tear the truck apart.

Will update as I progress.....

 

[mwilson]

Got RH knuckle off. That lower Moog feels like crap. Feels like it’s metal to metal when you turn the pin by hand and it’s notchy as well. Think I found the issue..

I’m sure with the weight of the truck applied it is dragging..

 

[mwilson]

They are out and in the recycle bin...

 

[mwilson]

Carli’s in...

 

[JR]

Liberal amounts of never sieze. I see I'm not the only one in the rust belt

 

[mwilson]

That’s it for tonight. Do the drivers side in the morning..

 

[jgillott]

Were the old ones hard to press out? No exaggeration, the last set of I did in mine I hardly needed the press. They popped right out.

 

[mwilson]

These were tighter than that. I had to crank fairly hard on the press and there was Never Seez in the bores from when I installed them. I just as happy that they did drag a bit, the bores are in good shape..

 

[Wayne M.]

How were the hubs getting out? Use the turn the wheel with the socket on the bolts trick?

 

[mwilson]

BFH. They have been out several times in the past so the Never Seez just oozes out of the knuckle and hub contact surfaces....

A couple swats on the outer flange and they fall out....

Also I am replacing both sides so hitting them didn't concern me this time. I do have the Snap On tool to use with the steering method.

 

[mwilson]

Well, all done.

Just took it for a quick ride, OMG what a difference!!!

So both of the Moog lower joints were notchy and the left front hub was grumbly when I turned it after removal.

About $1200.00 for the Carli’s and two Timken hub assemblies...I am gonna say money well spent....