Front End Overhaul Recommendations.

[TommyD]

hey all,

im looking for some first hand knowledge regarding rebuilding my front end. I have a 15 3500 4x4. 150k of the odo. bought it used,, no idea the abuse it may have taken prior. it seems to wander a slight bit in the freeway here in so cal. i haven't seen any excessive play in any of the steering joint on the front end when the wheel is turned. both front wheels have a slight click noise when the front is lifted and pressure is applied at the 6 and 12 and wheel is torqued back and forth. i dont want to do any premature rebuilds, but if i need to open it up i want to do it once and be done for a long while.. give me some advice folks. whats your experiences?

 

[AEdelheit]

Have you had someone turn the steering wheel back and fourth while you look under the truck at all the steering components? Thats the easiest way to spot play in a tie rod or track bar. The noise from putting pressure on the wheels at 6 and 12 is likely ball joints but a good alignment is also a good place to start.

CJC off road in Bellflower is a great resource and shop for these trucks.

 

[EDankievitch]

I wouldn’t use anything but EMFball joints and Senergy Sterling linkage , track bar an Radius arms . I’ve installed a lot of parts in RAM truck over the years nothing lasts as well as these parts I’ve listed. Carli makes a nice ball joint but I feel EMF surpass them.

 

[Ozymandias]

I vote for OEM Linkage.

And get a proper alignment done according to the THUREN specs.

Most wandering comes simple from bad alignment.

 

[TommyD]

edankelvitch,, can you elaborate on why you think the EMF balljoint is better than the carli???

 

[EDankievitch]

They are Rebuildable in the truck. I had a set of Carli uppers in my 05. They held up well but did wear out. The guy that bought my truck old from the dealer I traded it into had to replace them. It sucked I didn’t have the receipt so he could take advantage of the warranty. Housing and pins were worn and had to be pressed out and replaced.
EMF they sell the races and pins. So nothing has to be pressed out of the truck. They also are adjustable most of the time you can adjust any slip out of them with out having to rebuild them.
I should add that I had well over 200 k Very hard trailer towing miles on my Carli Ballpoints. And not just running down the highway. Most of my trailering has a lot of backing into driveways and the storage yard . Lots of wheel work.
I’m also not saying that Carli’s are bad. I feel they make a well tested great product. I just feel that EMF has taken it to the next level. And the price point they are a good value.

 

[Ozymandias]

You know that CARLI improved their ball joints several times over the years.
You must have had one of the first series they ever made.

 

[EDankievitch]

You know that CARLI improved their ball joints several times over the years.
You must have had one of the first series they ever made.

I know that Carli is constantly updating their products. I Hav and still do recommend them. I just feel that EMF has leapfrogged them with the replaceable/ rebuildable design. You really can’t go wrong with ether.