It's time for the dreaded front end maintenance...

[Crunch]

With 257K miles on the truck it's time to redo the front end. I need new uppers on both sides and ball joints on both sides. I've looked at the Carli uppers, but have only seen them for the 4WD models. Does anyone have any suggestions for parts that are better than the OEM parts, or is OEM the way to go? Also, if anyone can suggest a good front end shop in the DFW area that is both cost competitive and trustworthy, please let me know. I've put this off because of the price, but now it the time to gut it up and get it done. On the bright side, the truck runs straight and true down the road and the suspension is still pretty solid for its age.

Thanks.

 

[Freebore]

It seems you can find support for just about any brand out there. Quality of parts change over time, so you may have some comments going back in time that have good things to say about a brand then but could be suffering quality problems today. I've used Moog when they were good then quality dropped off. Some have had problems with Carli. I don't know if OEM replacements are any better than what they install at the factory, and I don't want to be the first to find out the hard way. I'm considering the Professional Series from Raybestos, but that's after talking with some folks that have had good experience recently. Shops I've talked with are struggling nowadays just to find parts they can rely on - if they have to fix comebacks then it hits their bottom line. You might touch base with local independents who would provide warranties to ball joint work and possibly suggest good parts to use. Finding good quality parts is really getting to be a crapshoot - it can be found but seems is all over the place and it continues to change.

 

[cerberusiam]

Raybestos Proffessional line or NAPA Gold line is about all I can recommend. Do them all or you will just be back replacing new parts when the old ones take out the newer ones.

 

[MMeier]

Whatever parts you use, DO NOT let some shop talk you into adjustable ball joints, these have absolutely no place on a heavy *** truck like ours !!

 

[jhenderson]

I have DynaTrac ball joints in my truck . They were a little expensive but they are tight 100,000 miles after installation. I use Moog for tie rods and sleeves. They seem to last as well as anything else with proper maint and have a lifetime warranty.

 

[Crunch]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've had Jekyll and Hyde experiences with dealers, and even though I put this kind of work in the "dealer should do it" category, the Hyde side of the equation has me looking elsewhere. In theory you would think that the dealers would strive to be the go-to place for consistent, honest repair and prices, especially in the Internet age when you can buy vehicles from virtually any state at a price that makes it worth traveling to pick them up, and search reputations while sitting at home in your underwear. There is a place in Fort Worth called Champion Spring that's been around since 1928, and does all kinds of front end work on all kinds of vehicles, including "Classic cars and race cars". Years ago I had them pound the leaf springs back into alignment after they fanned out on a Ford truck I had, but since never needed their service. I'm hoping that any place with that kind of history is more likely to have real pride in their work than the franchise shops and the "dudes with a socket set" shops.

 

[xDiesel03]

I replaced the upper and lower ballpoints and tie rods last summer. Went with Carli BJs and Moog Tie Rods/sleeves. I don't regret the Carlis one bit. The engineering design is amazing and far superior to any normal OEM replacement you'll find - first replacement was Napa Golds. They also have a lifetime warranty so that will offset the cost if you plan on keeping the truck for a while. I've also heard great things about the Dynatracs. If you haven't flushed the original power steering fluid that will make things nice and smooth once you put to all back together - I used Royal Purple ATF.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

My vote is for Napa lifetime uppers and lowers and put the money you saved towards a free spin hub kit of your choice.

I personally think the design of the AAM front axle is bunk and no amount of money, short of having a custom axle built is going to fix the geometry woes.

 

[Crunch]

xDiesel03 - Do you have a 4 wheel drive truck? In looking at the Carlis I didn't see anything but 4x4 parts. I was also a bit surprised at just how much more they cost. Makes the Napas look good with the lifetime warranty. Also, thanks for the info on the power steering fluid. I didn't know it made a difference.

 

[cerberusiam]

If you are not running big tires or doing a lot of off road the NAPA Premium or Raybestos Proffesional grade parts will do quite well. A lot depends on environment and usage if you need the higher $$ parts.

The PS fluid should be flushed every 70k on either 2x4 or 4x4. Both the systems are hard on ATF.

 

[xDiesel03]

I do have a 4x4. I guess it depends on how long you plan to keep the truck, and if you are doing your own maintenance. If you want to replace the ball joints every 40-50k miles then don't go with Carli or Dynatracs. I replaced the OEMs with Napas and they were shot after 50k. Also, check with you local Napa because when I took them back I was told that the lifetime warranty is for manufacturer defects and does not include normal wear. The Carlis are registered to your VIN for life and they don't care what happened - if they fail, they will immediately ship you a new one. If you are paying to have these installed and plan on keeping your truck for a while, consider the installation cost over time to keep replacing your balljoints. I was very skeptical until I saw them first hand and drove them for the first time. I ended up going through Straptperformance. Those guys are absolute experts on the suspension and steering of these trucks and can answer every question you have, including helping you diagnose issues.