What is Your Opinion---Ball Joints

[Dave Remillard]

I have noticed for some time that my 95 Ram doesn't want to track down the road like it should, so I'm thinking the track bar problem that others have had is the culprit. My question is how long should the ball joints last? I have 108K on the rig and have never needed any front end work until now. I'm considering the Lukes Link product and can get a considerable discount if I buy all five kits to do a complete front end overhaul, but hate to waste money on something that could last much longer. What's your thoughts. Should I do a complete job, or fix the track bar only? Thanks in advance.

 

[shendren]

kinda like i saw illflem post previously..... replace the track bar and steering stabilizer and see what you think. i did and it makes a whopping difference. good luck. scott.

 

[Bigramguy]

The best thing you could do first,is inspect it yourself,or have a shop you trust do it. Only then will you know what has to be replaced. Make sure you get everything checked out,and then a good alignment after it is repaired.



As said above,track bar and steering stabilizer are probably toast,but don't go replacing everything unless it's really needed.



I have 270000 on mine now,and all original except for the track bar. I have been lucky I guess. My steering stabilizer is pretty much beat,and getting a tiny bit of play in one lower ball joint,but it is livable for now.

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

Bring it in for inspection

Most shops arround here wont even charge you just to check out ball joints or brakes. Get a second opinion if you want. Watch them do it. Easy to spot bad balljoint Mine had a bad track bar and one bad balljoint . Now I've got new tires and it drives straight down the road. Look ma,no hands:-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[bigkavr]

NoStrokin,



At 111K, I installed all five of the Luke's Links (one on the track

bar and four on the tie rods). Now it's 115K miles and everything is still doing great. . Steering is much tighter and very little wander. What little wander there still is I atribute to the worn steering gearbox output bushing.

BTW, I R&R the balljoints at 112K miles. The lower ones were well worn, so all four were replaced. Doing this didn't make the

steering any tighter but it sure gave me piece of mind... ... .

I'd recomend Luke's Links to everyone. A great product and VERY

easy to install... Have fun. .

 

[pwknapp]

Just picked mine up from the alignment shop. I bought lifetime warranty Moog parts a couple years ago and they replaced the parts free plus labor. Ball joints were ok on one side and both replaced on the other. I installed Energy suspension poly bushings on the control arms and it is now tight as can be. Can't beleive I put up with the slop in the front for so long.