What do I do ?

[JVolkmann]

With all the talk about bad ball joints, I decided to check mine. I have play in them on both sides. The question is do I go and have them replaced now with the same ball joints that are in it, or do I wait. I am on my way to Hatteras on October 13th and I am not sure to have them fixed now or wait. The truck has 33,000 miles on it in a year. Mostly highway empty. Still have not towed with it yet. Knock on wood, the truck has run flawless. It seems a little louder now, so I just did a injector kill test and did not find a problem.

PLEASE ALL OPINIONS ARE WELCOME !





Thank you,

Jeff





2003 QC Graphite Metalic 4x4 Shortbed SO 48re loaded (minus leather & electronic shift 4x4)

Rhino liner, Mopar nerf bars, Mopar mup flaps, Still stock, believe it or not.

 

[mberry]

My opinion is to get them fixed now if they are still under warranty.

 

[Cummins4WD]

Can you get a rain check until a newer version with greasable ball joints is availiable form Moog or something... They only will warranty the ball joints until 36,000 miles so if you could get it in writing that they are bad now and you are waiting to install an upgraded part that would be cool. The labor is pretty extensive like $500 or something to replace all four ball joints. I'm going to check mine this weekend and I'm sure they're a little loose although I can't tell but for damn sure I'm going to have them replaced before my extended 39,000 miles is up... I'm at 31,000 right now. I would seriously think a recall or TSB would be out but there's no way you could count on that so better play their game and get them replaced. I'm going to check locally to see if I can get a written rain check on the labor. Hell I'd buy the new Moog joints when they become availiable and have the dealer install those under D/C's dime. The OEM will go out again and again. It's difficult to replace them on my Jeep so I couldn't imagine on such a big front axle. It's almost easier to remove the axle and take it to a differential axle shop so they can get their presses around the knuckles easier. I think that would save a lot of labor if you have to cover the whole job yourself. There should have been King Pins on these AAM axles... not ball joints especially with a 1000lbs Cummins up front!



Randy

Denver, CO

 

[sag2]

Just get them replaced. I seriously doubt they are going to change the design.

Are you sure you checked them properly? To do it, you need a dial indicator. The wear limit is . 090 total for the lower joint, and . 060 for the upper.

 

[JVolkmann]

There is so much play in them, I don't think a dial indicator is necessary. I think I am going to to get them replaced and if they go bad again I will just use the "Pre-exsisting Condition" line to get them covered. I know from being in the business that was one way of getting DC to fix something after it is out of warranty.

Thanks for the replies. Keep them coming. I won't to know how everyone else is dealing with this.



Jeff