caburnside

Its looking like the ball joints are starting to go again (tires are starting to lean inward alittle --again). This batch lasted longer than the last several sets, regardless not looking for another huge bill to replace them. So just how hard are they to replace? whats needed? how many upper and lowers do I need? I know nothing of ball joints so start me at basics let me have your infinate wisdoms.

upersleder

I would look at what your replacing them with. i have 113,000 miles and mine are still good, just checked them monday. get a quality joint with a grease fitting and keep it lubed. As for changing them, they are a pain and most of the time need special ball joint press if you want to do it right. if your shop is beating them in that may be a cause for premature wear.

caburnside

Thanks, I'll keep that considered and buy them myself for sure this time, I've never gotten close to 113,000 with mine its usually more like 30,000 if lucky...as for the shop part any idea a ballpark I am looking at? seems the last couple times it has been rather high and for not to long of life...i'll definately remember the press part before taking to a shop this time around.

DIESELWRKS

dont forget the fun part check your wheel bearings same time might as well since your there having fun. my batch I have picked up will be installing soon came from napa chassis line. they are lifetime warranty. upper and lower greasable.

pwregan

Mine just went as well - no complaints at 160k miles- do some reading about xrf ball joints- it seems guys are having trouble with moogs failing premature and are talking well of these xrf's- what are you paying to have ball joints installed?
my new set for 2 uppers and 2 lowers was 87.00- shipped
what are the ones you are using costing- they seem to be failing quick

Hodge

$87 for 4 ball joints? Wow- how many miles to you have on them? At $20 a piece, I would be a little leary. The XRF's are a little over $240 for a set (what I read on DTR), and the local Dodge dealership quoted me $602 for 4 ball joints. I bought a set of uppers and lowers (2 upper, 2 lower, to answer the question of how many), and 2 axle u-joints (you want to check them out while you have things apart), for $210. So, far, I am very happy with the quality. I did the work myself, and paid a local mechanic $25 to press out the old ball joints and press in the new ones. I also replaced the front bearings, which were $220 a side, from Autozone. They had Timken, made in USA sets. I did all the work myself, so I had about $675 in parts and labor. A local reputable shop had quoted me $450 labor to replace the ball joints and u-joints, me supplying the parts.
However you choose to go, make sure you get good parts. It is not an impossible job, and if you use antiseize, you can take a side apart pretty quickly- it took me an hour and a half to replace both wheel bearing units (I did them later). Regardless of that, it is cheaper to put the good parts in the first time, than to do it twice.

Redliner

I use MOOG joints and have not had a set ware out premature unless they were not greased. You can get all 4 for a round $250 for a walk in customer in my area. Takes me about 1-1.5 hrs to do all 4 on a 94-00 truck but this is what I do for a living. 01-02's can be a bit of a p.i.t.a...

pwregan

I got the xrf's on ebay and do not have them yet- going to have them installed by my mechanic- i do not have the space or the tools to do them myself or the knowledge for that mater- just thought i would let you know they are available and are suposed to be better than the moogs