Polarlys

Well, I think it's about time for the BJ job.
And I'm not referring to Bill Clinton 's definition but rather the front end of my '06 Dodge 3500 w/ 4x4.
Some time ago I saw some discussion here about whats available and what is the best ball joints. Haven't seen much lately but I remember reading about XRF's being well made for heavy applications. What has been the experience with those who have installed them ???? What other top shelf choices are there for us ?????

I checked Rock Auto and they carry ACDELCO, MOOG & Raybestos brands. Their prices run $52 on the low end for MOOG to $100 at the HI end for Raybestos with acdelco in the middle.

My philosophy for this job is to do uppers and lowers while I'm at it. I'm even thinking about the axel U-joints too. Not sure yet on those. And I need front brakes. Anyone out there using Power Stop brakes ?????

Thanks all,

cstewart

I've been running the XRF ball joints on mine for about 10K miles now. Issue free thus far.
I too did a good bit of research on who to go with prior to purchase. I'm sure Carli's B-Joints are awesome but $$$. In the price range I was looking for, the XRF's seemed just right for me.

FYI: I have no experience with MOOG..."BUT",everything I saw told me to steer away from them.

Again, just my opinion/experience thus far!
Good luck!

Polarlys

Thanks for the opinion. That's just what I'm lookin for.
Haven't checked on Carli's. May look into it just for my own interest.

Thanx

han solo

Carli's are $800 bucks.

JP-4.5

Dynatracs are the other $$$ option that have had good feedback. (Do not think as much as Carli's)

I am looking to do the balljoints on mine in the near future and am thinking about using Dynatracs. I want to do them and not have to do them again for a lonngg time.

Polarlys

I'm with JP4. These jobs are just too labor intensive to WANT to do them. We do them because we need to do them so DO IT ONCE. DO IT RIGHT. And hopefully we won't be doing it any time soon again. Use the best replacement part we can afford and then keep your fingers crossed it meets or exceeds expectations. I think I'm gonna go out on a limb here on mine. All those parts in there have 90k miles on them. I'm thinking along the lines of BJ's, brakes are a definite and axel U-joints while we're in that deep.

Oh well, the cost of driving one of these rigs.

THERE AIN'T NO FREE LUNCH.

torquefan

Yep, I think it's a great idea to do the axle u-joints at the same time, since you have to remove the shafts to do the ball joints anyway. The u-joints on those trucks are the problematic AAM joints, and probably worn right out anyway.

As for ball joints, from what I've experienced (and read), the Moog joints work great on the older trucks, but on a 2000 or newer truck I would stay away. The Moogs seem to be too tight for those trucks. They bind up and don't allow the steering to return to straight after a turn. Makes the trucks a real chore to drive. Have never personally tried XRFs, but they sound like a good choice.

Polarlys

I think I'm leaning towards XRF or Dynatrac. Still not sure.

Dieseljunkie

Right now XRF has my vote, only because of the price factor.. I'd also need to find someone to install them, as I don't have the time or patience to do it myself...