Premium Ball Joints (3 gen 4X4)

[Wayne M.]

The Moogs are shot- really shot. I need to do this again. This time I need to do it right. I think I'm aware of the choices, and I found this thread--

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/242388-Ball-Joints-time/page2

It's a bit old, and most involved are still around. Does anyone have more to add? Any developments since? Anyone have any recent experiences? Any vendor experiences?

Thanks in advance!

 

[seafish]

Your high quality choices remain the same -- DynaTrac or Carlis.
I ordered my Carli set from George at 8Lug Truck and got free shipping as well as excellent advice and tech support during the install.

 

[cerberusiam]

From cheapest to most expensive: XRF, DynaTrac, Carli. Affinia bought up every suspension component maker in the US and rolled them all together with least quality possible, junk on these trucks if you use them hard. The XRF lowers eem to be solid, the uppsers are the question mark at this point. If the extreme duty upper BJ is the zero lash version then they should be as good as possible.

 

[ranger 393]

I used Carli's, more money but worth it.

 

[GrantP]

Carli here too. They were a little twitchy at first but all good now.

 

[Killer223]

i went with dynatrac, for the fact they are rebuildable in the truck no more pressing them in and out.

 

[Wayne M.]

Yes I like the fact the dyna is rebuild able. Any cons with them?
Whats XRF?

 

[JR]

How many miles did you get out of your Mood Wayne?

Link to xrf website

http://www.xrfchassis.com/parts-balljoints.htm

 

[Wayne M.]

How many miles did you get out of your Mood Wayne?

I put them in when I did the hubectomy during summer 2013, about 30k ago. Keep in mind we have terrible roads around here. Everyone leases so nobody cares. Consider it severe duty.

 

[seafish]

Honestly, the XRF balljoints have a checkerd past in terms of quality. MY feelings are that in the aftermarket parts game, you generally do get what you pay for. While clearly Carli and DynaTrac are top dollar, if you can afford them, they are also top quality. ANY QC issues that Carli had with the metallurgy in the first batch are LONG since resolved, which may or may not be true of the XRF joints. In fact, not even sure that the XRF are fully greasable. Here are a couple links about the XRF balljoints--

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/3rd-gen-non-powertrain/863097-new-xrf-ball-joints.html

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...line-xrf-balljoints-295900/page3/#post3210326

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/3rd-gen-non-powertrain/264158-xrf-ball-joint-reviews-3.html

 

[Wayne M.]

XRF is off the table- too Rock auto looking :-laf.

I'm shopping online as we speak. I'm considering front springs that won't raise the front end too much (at all)- any suggestions?

 

[Wayne M.]

I'm really leaning towards the Dynatracs.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RVfeapriubg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The adjustable lowers really remind me of the adjusters of a Mack kingpin. Very impressed.

 

[cerberusiam]

There is nothing at Rock auto that can be verified, some have postulated the MevoTech are the same as the Raybestos Pro grade but no confirmed. A lot of problems with the XRF seem to be old threads and highly suspect that they did NOT use the extreme duty zero lash BJ's.

The Thuren soft ride is a good choice for a replacement spring. About 2" over stock and much better ride.

 

[LarryHudson]

Has anyone considered EMF?
https://emfballjoints.com/collections/dodge-ball-joints

 

[Wayne M.]

Has anyone considered EMF?
https://emfballjoints.com/collections/dodge-ball-joints

Fresh meat.... Looking.

 

[seafish]

Has anyone considered EMF?
https://emfballjoints.com/collections/dodge-ball-joints

EMF is a decent company. In fact, someone correct me if I am wrong, but they might even be related to DynaTrac??