Third generation 4X2 trucks — ball joint issues?

[Gordon Maney]

Do the two wheel drive, third generation, Cummins powered trucks have as many ball joint problems as the 4X4 trucks?

 

[wolfman00hd]

I don't know about "as many" but mine are shot at 72k miles. I bought the parts but have yet to get them put on. The fact that you have to buy the whole upper control arm just to replace the uppers is total crap. Just my $. 02

 

[LesStallings]

I'm approaching 80k and no problems to date. I don't get on too many bad roads. Original stock shocks, by the way.

 

[p-Bar]

I don't know about "as many" but mine are shot at 72k miles. I bought the parts but have yet to get them put on. The fact that you have to buy the whole upper control arm just to replace the uppers is total crap. Just my $. 02

You can buy just the ball joints from Napa and have them pressed in.

 

[JSchooley]

Another forum had a post regarding the need to replace the ball joints on the Dodge trucks. A reply seemed to make a lot of sense. The Cummins engine is quite heavy and cranking the wheels when the truck is stopped puts a lot of pressure on the steering components.



Whenever possible I try to get at least a little motion fore or aft when turning the wheels.



Just my . 02 pesos,



John

 

[p-Bar]

Another forum had a post regarding the need to replace the ball joints on the Dodge trucks. A reply seemed to make a lot of sense. The Cummins engine is quite heavy and cranking the wheels when the truck is stopped puts a lot of pressure on the steering components.



Whenever possible I try to get at least a little motion fore or aft when turning the wheels.



Just my . 02 pesos,



John

Especially with those great maintainance free ball joints