What's the deal with bearings and ball joints on 3rd gen 4wd?

[rbattelle]

I have never seen anyone PROPERLY diagnose a bad (or good) ball joint. To do so requires two measurements with a dial indicator for both the upper and lower joints. The spec for the lower is 0. 090, and when prying on the joint that much play looks like an inch!

There's a lot of wisdom in this post (as usual). When was the last time anyone posted a measurement of ball joint movement?



For better or worse, I've been filling my ball joint boots with a pump or two of grease every 6k. Does it help? Well, it makes me feel all warm inside.



Ryan

 

[jelag]

I have to agree with sag2 as well... . I said my peace earlier but I'd like to add... . we run 19. 5" tires... new tires on the front and recaps on the rear. . we don't rotate, and we don't let a front end shop touch the truck unless we see tire wear that looks out of norm. .

I'm more afraid of someone making it worse when there's really nothing wrong... .

My other thought is we hate the way the guys in the tire shops treat the truck... . our guy takes off the wheels, we run a tap through the nuts, and a chase over the studs and use an anti seize upon assembly... .

At the time we do tires, we check brakes, and lube the bearings... . we usually see 130-140 K miles on brakes using the exhaust brakes all the time... .

Based on the costs we have from a fleet of Fords, these are really inexpensive trucks to own... . we're very, back to basic's when it comes to maintenance. . but for us its all about driving the truck and cost per mile... . and playing the odds that something won't break 500 miles from our location... .

This past weekend our 05, made a trip to Portland, Vancouver BC Canada and back to the shop... total of 1150 miles... I often think of our trucks like the energizer bunny... they just keep on running and running...

 

[mwilson]

I am a card-carrying member of the premature ball joint failure club.



But mine were not changed due to any excessive play. Quite the opposite as my upper RH joint had SEIZED.



I try to bring that up from time to time so that you guys will watch out for it.



This is not a CC Style Rant. Just trying to increase awareness.



It is a frightening sensation when the truck decides its direction at 75 mph, not you... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...



I agree that people are getting all hung up on the play in the joints issue.

I feel that the SEIZURE of a ball joint is a much bigger deal and these trucks should be checked for that once in a while, not just for play in the lower joint.



The only way to tell is to unhook the tie-rod with the truck jacked up and then move the spindle back and forth. If there is any increase in resistance the closer you get to each stop then there is most likely a dry upper joint. The upper one goes up and down as the spindle is turned. If it can't go up and down then it binds the steering to a certain degree. In my case I could not move the spindle at all, had to put the tie-rod back on and use the steering to move it. Causes some unique handling issues and almost created a collision.





I don't know if there was a bad batch of non-lubed uppers in '06, have tried to catch up with a Dodge Rep to find out but might as well try to get a meeting with the Mighty Oz. :-laf



Other than that it is quite a truck and will put a smile on your face whether you are simply looking at it or using it.



I am not bashing the front end, just want you guys to be aware that it has happened to at least one TDR member already, namely me. :{

 

[steved]

I don't know if there was a bad batch of non-lubed uppers in '06, have tried to catch up with a Dodge Rep to find out but might as well try to get a meeting with the Mighty Oz. :-laf

There was a TSB on 2nd gen trucks for "sticky" steering and the lack of center return... turned out they installed a batch of ball joints in the D60s that didn't have grease. My father had his ball joints die around 80k, just outside of warranty and we discovered (after cutting apart) that there was not a drop of grease in them.



It happens... quality control isn't fail proof.