Plastic ball joint - throttle linkage

[dan brooks]

On the way to work I had to get on the gas pretty hard, and once I let off the stupid linkage popped loose. It's not fun having to idle off the road with the rest of the traffic doing 45 MPH+. Luckily I was able to scrounge a piece of bailing wire to tie it back together temporarily.



Has anyone found a better set up for the throttle linkage? I was thinking about finding some small heim joints/rod ends to eliminate the plastic ball joints - anyone try this yet? I'll probably pick up a couple new pieces from the dealer for the time being, but it looks like they don't last long and I don't want to make this a part of my routine maintenance.

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Not to worry, the upgrade the dealer has is a set of metal ends.

Mine went just like yours and since the upgraded ends were installed, no more problems.

I had to 'idle' up and off a ferry ramp... . boy was I popular. .



bob.

 

[NeedMoPower]

The same thing happened to me about a month ago. Just be thankful that you werent in the middle of Houston when yours broke... . talk about a nightmare. Now I have the metal ball joints and I pray that I never have to go through that again. Just like Bushwakr said, the repacements are metal so dont worry.



I guess it would of been too easy from them to make the ball joints out of metal the first time.

Cody

 

[Philip]

I guess it would of been too easy from them to make the ball joints out of metal the first time.

No it would have cost more. The plastic ones probably cost around $. 04 each. The metal ones would have run twice that much if not more. Just another place they used to cut corners. You know how bean counters are.

 

[dan brooks]

Thanks, guys! I really didn't want to buy dealer parts if they would just wear out again in a few months, but since they improved the design I'll pick up a new set. Good to see that they got their act together... . eventually.

 

[Mel Fuelling]

If you turn the plastic ball joints just right, you will create a binding geometry that will usually keep worn ball joints in place

longer than if they're left straight as they are usually installed.

A neighbor with a 93 similar to mine discovered this when his popped off. Being of a very frugal nature, he is still running his

in this manner without replacement 1 1/2 years later. We're not

recommending this, just mentioning it as a field expedient to get

you home with.

Thanks,

Mel

 

[Lil' Dog]

Go to CUMMINS...

Or you'll pay more than its worth. . Check out your Cummins dealer for the rod assembly. I have done both my trucks with them and it is alot better setup. .



J-eh

 

[dan brooks]

Well, I went to Cummins and told the guy what I needed - he knew exactly what happened. Unfortunately, the Tucson Cummins shop is closing and they already got rid of their stock. The local KW shop wanted $34 for the part but had to order it.



So, $44 from the local Dodge dealer was the best I could do. I didn't feel like screwing around with it anymore, as it popped off a couple more times while I was chasing down the part..... usually at the worst possible moment, too. :--)



Thanks for the info.

 

[Philip]

I wish I had a Cummins shop close. The nearest one is 65 miles in any dirrection.

 

[bighammer]

I think I have one new steel ball joint end rolling around in my junk drawer. (got an extra one in my kit) I'm not sure if it's left or right-hand thread, but if somebody is interested, you are welcomed to it.