XRF ball joints are the bomb! What a difference. Replaced both right and left upper and lower ball joints last week. The upper ones are sealed; the lowers are greasable-and the best thing is, they have a million mile warranty.

And all 4 joints were $250 plus shipping! :cool:

250 for all four? Man thats better then 2 grand like some places are trying to get!

Where did you buy them? I would like to hear about them in 20k miles or so to see how well they are holding up.

They finally came out with them after 2 yrs....

x2 on were to buy

XRF ball joints are the bomb! What a difference. Replaced both right and left upper and lower ball joints last week. The upper ones are sealed; the lowers are greasable-and the best thing is, they have a million mile warranty.

And all 4 joints were $250 plus shipping! :cool:

Part #'s and supplier information?

Thanks,

Can a person use the uppers in a 6" lift application?? I thought the lifted trucks needed adjustable ball joints? Are the upper XRF's adjustable??

I maybe wrong here, but I don't see why having a lifted truck would matter. The wheels should still sit the same so the ball joints should be the same??? Shouldn't they?

Thats what I thought too but every alignment shop recomends the adjustable ones to help assist in the alignment. I'm lost???

That should only make a differance in the caster/chamber??? I don't think it has anything to do with alignment? But like I said I could be wrong. I am by no means a auto mechanic!

Almost got some Moogs today from Carquest in Canada.... My friend at the autoparts store told me to look into the XRF line up. Sure glad I took the time to research the issue. I was asuming Moog was the best, from all the posts I will more than likely getting the XRF.

They also offer left and right outer tie rods. If there is any weakness in these parts I will soon find out. Have a 8.5 V blade hanging on the front and a 2yd salter on the rear.

Perhaps the lift kits change the steering geometry with the longer trailing arms.

So here's the deal with XRF guys-

The only joints they offer are the straight-up 0 degree joints, because they found that most people using adjustable joints could never bring their truck back to factory alignment specs, especially with toe. This makes sense, because the first thing you set on an alignment is camber-and if it's zero degrees, then everything else should be easier to dial in (especially since caster on this truck is so easy to set).

The alignment specs on a lifted truck are the same as the specs on a factory truck-which is why a lot of reputable lift companies will tell you NOT to install a lift if it's impossible to bring your truck into factory alignment specs (proof positive of this is KORE's website-don't take my word for it)

All I did is call 877-674-4030, and the guy who answered the phone looked up to see whether they had a supplier in Cleveland. He also gave me the part numbers for the upper and lower ball joints. When he went through his system, he found out that we don't have a local supplier in Cleveland, so he just sent me the parts out of the main warehouse in Michigan. He was really helpful and we actually chatted about the weak points in the Dodge front end, and he told me what XRF had done to their ball joints to make sure they were fullproof (hence the million-mile warranty).

What's interesting is that Carli insists that the lower ball joint weak point in our truck is that it's "plastic." IIRC it's actually acetal resin, which is somewhat similar to delrin. Anyway, XRF uses acetal resin in the lower joint as well. I can't remember why the guy told me they decided to go with acetal versus steel, but there was a reason why they did it. In any event, the lower acetal resin ball joint is greasable, and the upper one (which is steel) is not.

I'm really happy with them. For the first time in 10K miles my truck tracks absolutely straight and with minimal steering correction while driving on a crowned road. Bumps are much less harsh, and there's no bounceback through the steering system after hitting a pot hole or large road bump.

I'll let you know if I end up with durability issues-I put between 20K and 30K miles a year, so if there are short-term durability issues, I'll probably find them in short order.

By the way, this is directly off the XRF website for their Zero-Lash ball joints regarding the acetel (i.e. what some other manufacturers call "plastic") bearing they use:

"XRF Zero-Lash ball joints have a ball stud that is fully encapsulated in a high strength acetel bearing offering superior load disbusement and longer life"

If you look up the uses of high strength acetel bearings now-a-days, you'd be shocked at what manufacturers are putting them in. High velocity pumps, transfer cases for vehicles up to 17500 lbs GVWR (don't laugh-it might be one you get in in your next truck!) to name a few.

I know Carli really goes after lower ball joint manufacture and how their steel joint totally improves steering feel. I think they go so far as to say that replacing the lower ball joint with theirs will give you the biggest bang for your buck in terms of steering feel and front end predictability. That might be true, but if it is, it comes at a steep price.

When you figure that XRF charges around $250 for all four, you can't beat it. And let me tell you-the difference in steering feel now versus the stockers is like night and day!

Glad to hear that there is a cheaper alternative! I hope these things holdup well! If so I will be buying a pair in the future... If not I guess I will be going the Dynatrack ball joint route.

Yes, Acetal or Delrin (Dupont Trade name) or POM is a very tough plastic that has good chemical resistance and is lubricious. It is used in all kinds of high load applications and machine tools. It is an engineering material not your walmart plastic.

This looks like a pretty good deal. Four (4) XRF Ball joints for $200

Can someone tell me if the picture is accurate?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180450925384&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:MOTORS:1123

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=180450925384

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=180450925384

Those look about right

I ordered them and 22 seconds later I got an email that they were shipped FedEx......

Nice!

Cool... Keep us up to date on how they work out!

I got them also, has anybody ever drilled and put a grease zerk on a nongreasable ball joint? I am thinking of drilling the upper ball joint? What do you think?

if the top joint would be sealed wouldnt that b alittle scary if it was the grease would be slowly gone due to driving over a period of time and that "plastic" would just grind away.

If it is sealed leave it sealed. When you drill the shell your going to endup making a sharp edge on the inside of the housing ad it is going to scar the ball joint.

If it is sealed leave it sealed. When you drill the shell your going to endup making a sharp edge on the inside of the housing ad it is going to scar the ball joint.

ok, I will let it go.

Yeah I would agree. If it's sealed-leave it sealed. The worst thing you could do is put a zerk fitting on there and then fill the joint with grease that isn't compatible with whatever they put in there-then the grease drips out, and your joint is shot. Which ends up being exactly what you wanted to avoid in the first place!

Hmm.. I think I've found my set of Ball joints when the time comes to buy them.... That's a great price, and if they offer a million mile warranty, that's even better.
Scott

Has anyone tried the XRF outer tie rods????

I'm going to buy the OTC - 8031 Ball Joint tool and then either rent it out to folks on this list or sell it to someone at a discount after I'm done using it. The last time I did ball joints I used the cheap Horrible Freight unit and bent two of them. I then rented a press from Autozone made by Snap-On. This didn't bend but it was a bear to use because it barely fit and I had to make adapters on my lathe to make it work.

What would be a fair price to charge to rent the OTC unit? And would anyone be interested in a rental deal?

I'm going to buy the OTC - 8031 Ball Joint tool and then either rent it out to folks on this list or sell it to someone at a discount after I'm done using it. The last time I did ball joints I used the cheap Horrible Freight unit and bent two of them. I then rented a press from Autozone made by Snap-On. This didn't bend but it was a bear to use because it barely fit and I had to make adapters on my lathe to make it work.

What would be a fair price to charge to rent the OTC unit? And would anyone be interested in a rental deal?



The tools about $120.00? I would rent one for $25.00 .

The kit is $300 - $330..............

http://www.amazon.com/OTC-8031-Truck-Remover-Installer/dp/B000O1E52E

http://www.etoolcart.com/large-ball-joint-press-set-otc8031.aspx

It weighs 30 pounds. It will cost at least that much just to ship it one way....

The kit is $300 - $330..............

http://www.amazon.com/OTC-8031-Truck-Remover-Installer/dp/B000O1E52E

http://www.etoolcart.com/large-ball-joint-press-set-otc8031.aspx

It weighs 30 pounds. It will cost at least that much just to ship it one way....

I was looking at the wrong tool.[duhhh]
http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=OTC8031

Maybe $40.00?

That should only make a differance in the caster/chamber??? I don't think it has anything to do with alignment? But like I said I could be wrong. I am by no means a auto mechanic!

My guess is that with a bigger lift, they like to rotate the axle and raise the pinion up as much as possible to improve the front driveshaft angles. Then they can use adjustable ball joints to try to get the caster back into the ballpark.

The tools about $120.00? I would rent one for $25.00 .

Really Roger? You don't strike me as the kinda guy who ever gets grease under his finger nails! [coffee]

Really Roger? You don't strike me as the kinda guy who ever gets grease under his finger nails! [coffee]

Oh you'd be surprised how many hours I have spent under cars years back when money was tight. When I felt I would rather part with the money than lay under a truck I started paying others to do my dirty work.

Spending a Saturday or Sunday tinkering on the truck, doing the BJ's, the clutch, fuel system or even just washing and waxing it with a couple beers is something I just like doing, all the money in the world won't change that.

I'm not as keen about fishing as much as I used to be though... :(

This looks like a pretty good deal. Four (4) XRF Ball joints for $200

Can someone tell me if the picture is accurate?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180450925384&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:MOTORS:1123

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=180450925384

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=180450925384

I ordered these...from this same seller...also all the tie rods, sleeves. Total was 491.00 delivered to Canada. The local XRF dealer wanted over $400.00 plus tax for just the 4 ball joints! 199.00 plus shipping is the best deal I've found! Can hardly wait til they arrive.
Also picked up an OTC 8031 tool kit for the RnR. Iv'e got some work ahead of me, will be doing the hubs(99.00 apiece...ebay,too),axle u-joints( 75.00 each- local) and putting in a DSS stabilizer, since it will all be apart.
Mark

I paid 366.00 Canadian + tax locally for the OTC 8031 kit. It's a heavy beast, and when looking online for this kit, shipping from the U.S. was over a $100.00 most places, plus other fees, etc, I felt I got the best deal I could for this kit, and it's paid for after the first use. Don't know yet if I ever want to use it again!!
Mark

I paid 366.00 Canadian + tax locally for the OTC 8031 kit. It's a heavy beast, and when looking online for this kit, shipping from the U.S. was over a $100.00 most places, plus other fees, etc, I felt I got the best deal I could for this kit, and it's paid for after the first use. Don't know yet if I ever want to use it again!!
Mark

Where did you buy the otc kit from ?
I'm looking for one out East.

Spending a Saturday or Sunday tinkering on the truck, doing the BJ's, the clutch, fuel system or even just washing and waxing it with a couple beers is something I just like doing, all the money in the world won't change that.

I'm not as keen about fishing as much as I used to be though... :(

My truck needs a wash and wax. I'll buy the beer next Sunday.............what time should I drop it off?

That's what separates us automotive enthusiast types from people who'd rather just pay others to do their dirty work I guess eh Rodge?

Hell, even Jay Leno likes to get dirty once in a while... [coffee]

That's what separates us automotive enthusiast types from people who'd rather just pay others to do their dirty work I guess eh Rodge?

Hell, even Jay Leno likes to get dirty once in a while... [coffee]

Yup,
I'm more of a Letterman guy.:D

Yup,
I'm more of a Letterman guy.:D

lol

Me too actually! [laugh]

Where did you buy the otc kit from ?
I'm looking for one out East.

I ordered the kit through Gregg Distributors (greggdistributors.ca) I think they only have warehouses in Sask, Alta, and BC. I used our company discount to get the price quoted. Lordco in BC wanted 450 plus tax.

Mark

I ordered the kit through Gregg Distributors (greggdistributors.ca) I think they only have warehouses in Sask, Alta, and BC. I used our company discount to get the price quoted. Lordco in BC wanted 450 plus tax.

Mark

thanks

I wish I would have read this thread earlier, had my ball joints replaced again at a cost of $1000.00. the first time at 52000 miles and now today at 84000 miles, a million miles sure sounds great.

XRF ball joints are the bomb! What a difference. Replaced both right and left upper and lower ball joints last week. The upper ones are sealed; the lowers are greasable-and the best thing is, they have a million mile warranty.

And all 4 joints were $250 plus shipping! :cool:

So how the XRF ball joints holding up?? ANy comments / issues??

See my post above.. Also looks like XRF no longer has grease fittings!

Kit description: The XRF Replacement ball joints in this kit will give you trouble free service and are backed with a million mile warrantee!
This kit is the best option for aftermarket replacements as they outlast the OE parts and the Moog option has been a total failure.
The ball joints in this kit have been specifically designed to give your truck a smooth, solid feel without sticking and binding like the Moog parts have been prone to do.
These new generation parts have been designed with a sealed / non - greasable ball socket on all 4 parts, because the biggest problem with wearout has been due to contamination from dirt and water.
The greasable ball joints have not lasted because of this problem! So don't be turned off on this kit because it's not greasable, it will last longer!

Is there any truth that the XRF BJ's stretch the hole so you can only use XRF BJ's in the future?

I purchased a set of upper and lower XRF balljoints from a canadian distributor in Oct/Nov 2010. Just this past weekend i did the brakes on my truck and found that the uppers have around 1/4" of play in them, and the bottoms are not far behind. Thinking back for the past 3-4 months i've noticed my steering getting a lot more loose and knocked while going over bumps/potholes.
These were the non-greasable units that were first introduced by XRF. I paid $285 with taxes for the set.

I've contacted the seller and are awaiting a response regarding the warranty as they had the "million mile" warranty as well. Will update when i hear back from them.
JR

Just a heads up....XRF ball-joints do not last any longer than any the the others.Ya, they'll give you new ones, thats not where the expense is.I've replaced three sets.

When my XRF are done I'm going to use spicier the track bar that I installed lasted 5 months had to replace the rubber bushing with poly bushings and the ball joint was dried out so I tapped it and installed a grease fitting. I'm not the only one complaining my buddy's shop quit using them XRF won't even warranty them and Napa is replacing them with there own brand for free and he didn't even buy them from there!!!

Just a heads up....XRF ball-joints do not last any longer than any the the others.Ya, they'll give you new ones, thats not where the expense is.I've replaced three sets.


I've had every brand in my truck lucky to make a year.

XRF's have been in there for a few years and just as tight as the day they were installed.

my 2 cents

<--- 104K miles on original balljoints, still tight