premature ball joint wear

[abdiver]

Is the premature ball joint wear only in the 4x4,s



Are the 4x2's affected or are they a different set up.



I am a few weeks away from ordering a new truck and this would help me decide whether to go 4x4 or just a 4x2



Thanks, Bill

 

[Casey Balvert]

Primarily 4x4s have been effected but that could be because they outnumber the 2wd trucks. There have also been issues of how the play is measured. Done properly it is supposed to be done with a dial gauge to check for play instead of the old shake the wheel trick. No issue with mine but then I don't have that many miles on mine.

 

[SHyans]

The common denominator when I was seeking answers to my DW was BFG 315's and the leveler kit. I had both my ball joints, etc replaced at 3,000 miles. I just hit 5,000 and I am waiting for the demon to resurrect itself.

Stay away from the "big meats" and you may avoid ball joint problems.

This latest recall with the Durangos has me wondering if this is just the beginning and a massive recall on our Ram's is up next.

 

[Kennywould]

It doesn't seem to hit all trucks, my 04' 4x4, had 17,000 mi when they replaced my lower ball joints. A friend has an 02' his went at 30. 000, another has an 01', his went out at 90,000. My 05' has only 3500 mi now, so I'll wait and see what happens.

 

[PJ]

My stock 2500 4x4 went through a set sometime before 12k. I had them replaced @13k just before I traded it in.

 

[Task125]

just got back from dealer,ordered upper and lower ball joints,truck has 24000 on it

 

[rashwor]

I think you will find it is mostly a 4X4 issue. As a previous post pointed out, i suspect that bigger tires / wheels than stock and lift kits play a role in it as well. From what I have read on TDR, the vibration issue appears to be mostly a 4X4 issue as well. JMO.

 

[EB]

My 4X2 just rolled over 180,000 miles, same ball joints that came in it. Just changed brake pads for the first time. I guess if you have a need for four wheel drive, its worth it, if you don't, its just extra weight and drag. I pull a big G/N trailer every day on all kinds of roads and don't need it. With weight on it, the limited slip in these trucks are great. I don't run in ice and snow, but I run on a lot of bad roads and mud going into oil field locations.

 

[bombero]

When a dealer replaces the ball joints does he use the same OEM junk or up dated ones with zerks? I would think that they would have to re-align the front end after replacing the joints but I dont recall seeing a front end rack in my dealers shop. They must sent them out or ???

 

[jimnance]

Is the premature ball joint wear only in the 4x4,s



Are the 4x2's affected or are they a different set up.



I am a few weeks away from ordering a new truck and this would help me decide whether to go 4x4 or just a 4x2



Thanks, Bill

Well, my '91 and '95 were 2WD and had 100 K and no problems with ball joints. My '99 is a 4X4 with 100,000 miles and no ball joint problems. My '03 is a 4X4 with 35,000 miles and no problems.



I think the big tires play a role. Also how you use them. Mine are mostly highway miles. Doing lots of off road will chew them up.

 

[Gunship Guy]

What should I be looking for as a sign of bad ball joints? Loose steering feel?

 

[dave176]

What should I be looking for as a sign of bad ball joints? Loose steering feel?

You will here it knocking a bit when going over certain bumps,wash board,train tracks etc. Even if you here it and and you get it checked they won't replace them until there is 90 000's play. I just had mine in and there is noticable noise and wear but they will not change them because there is only 60 000's play. So i guess with only about 10 000 km left on my warrenty i will be paying for it out of my pocket... DAVE. .

 

[Kry226]

So how do you accurately measure the play in the ball joints?

 

[rbattelle]

So how do you accurately measure the play in the ball joints?

The service manual says to use a dial indicator and pry up on the bottom of the wheel.

 

[DBoggs]

Has anyone failed a state safety inspection within the warranty period and still had DC refuse to replace the balljoints?



Duane

 

[RLighthall]

Duane, I'll find out in January...