Front end woe's...

[Tulman37]

I need input on my 1992 D350 dually. I have been told my R/H side upper and lower ball joints need replaced and the outer tie-rod end also. Here is the "big problem", I was also told the steering knuckle needs replaced and Chrysler no longer manufactures it! I have changed ball joints before/king pins yet I have read a couple examples on the forum here warning that it is quite the job on these heavy duty suspensions. Anyway looking for all the tips/advice/help I can gather!! Thanks, Tim

 

[Lil' Dog]

The ball joints are a bugger to get out and in. I stretched the press I rented to put the ball joints in the lower A arms as the MOOG parts are just a little bigger than the hole to make a tight fit.



As for the top joints, they are THREADED not pressed into the upper A arm and be sure to tell the person doing the install the same thing. I did it with just a big cresent wrench and a touch of loctite on the threads.



The tie-rods are easy if you have done ball joints before.



Why is the knuckle bad? Are the mounts cracked? Seems odd to me that the knuckle would be worn out if the joints haven't been done. I had 4 sets of ball joints put into an 89 I had and the upper A arm was stripped of the threads, but the knuckle was still good...



J-eh

 

[Tulman37]

Lil' Dog,



Thanks for the tips. I jacked up the R/H side letting the tire hang free then moving the tire back and forth the outer tie rod flops back and forth at the top and bottom(nut end). I was told at my local shop that the knuckle is out of round now. I have been told that the tie rod is softer metal than the steering knuckle and should wear out first. Yet the service manual/instructions talk about the steering knuckle and if it is "out of round" then it should be replaced before proceeding with replacement of the tie rod end. I then went to another shop and the tech want's to try and put the new tie rod end in and see if it will work, and then I've been told that it might tighten up fine and appear fine intially then 1000miles later I could be back at square one! Thanks again... Tim

 

[JStoll]

if I were you Id pull the tie rod down (out of the knuckle) & look at the hole & see if its realy out of round

the taper on the tie rod is definatly harder than the knuckle I have seen this happen the ball joint or tie rod nut isent tightened enough or the installer backs the nut up to line up the kotter pin hole with out breaking loose the taper again & the taper fit pops loose & works it self real loose sometimes if you catch it quick enough you can re tighten it & all is well but only after looking at the hole to see if its round I have seen the nut kinda mangled & the hole all wallered out & the taper on the joint be fine. but check it anyway.

if its round just tighten it up good & tight but not too tight & never back the nut up to line up the cotter pin unless you break loose the taper again & re tighten it (to line up kotter pin only turn the nut clockwise)

if you have to replace the knuckle get a used one dont wory about a new one

the tie rod end is prolly OK just look at the taperd part near the threads & if its not obviously screwed up put it in tighten her up

heres how you check tie rod ends wrap your hand around the joint & nut try to compress it if you cant compress it & you grab the wheel & try to toe it in & out & you see no play in the joint its fine

good luck

JAK

PS

put a floor jack onder the lower controll arm on the suposedly bad side jak it up so the wheel is just off the ground het you a pry bar & try to pry the controll arm away from the knuckle both upper & lower if there is little or no movment your ball joints are ok also grab the wheel top & bottom push in on the top while pulling out on the bottom & vise versa & feel for play

take care

JAK

 

[Tulman37]

Front end woe's(update)

Purchased the Moog problem solver ball joints and tie rod end. I found a steering knuckle at the junk yard just 6 miles from my place. Plan to have it all installed tommorrow... ... hope everything goes well. Thanks for the help.

 

[Tulman37]

Front end woe's are gone!!

Wow I had no idea just how loose my front end had become!! Replaced all ball joints , R/H side outer tie rod end, R/H side steering knuckle(was able to find it at a salvage yard locally), front shocks, turned the rotors replaced the brake pads and repacked the front wheel bearings. Drives like a new truck !!

Steering coupler has just a little play so I will probably replace it with the Borgeson "universal style" upgrade. Input by other truck owners on this forum certainly helped me. Thanks too all that have taken the time to "post". Tim