2002 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with less than 80k on the clock and I was told this week that the ball joints are shot by a commercial suspension repair facility. The Tech recommended adjustable for the top but, after checking several threads it seems that the only reason to buy adjustable is if the camber is out (really not understanding mechanical tech)? I did speak with my certified dodge diesel mechanic... the one that does all my work, but he is unable to work on my truck... guess its a busy time of the year says, that the ball joints checked out fine in the fall and that should not be the problem.

I have recently replaced, tie rods, track bar, intermediate shaft, wheel bearings, and shocks over the past six months but, the everytime the truck hits a pot hole it just does not feel right. I was wondering if anyone has experience the same problems? Alignment is fine but, the truck still tracks down the road straight and there is also play in the steering wheel (DSS installed in the fall of 2009). The truck is scheduled to go into the shop on tomorrow night and worked on Tuesday. I was wondering if the symptoms I described sound like ball joints and if I should get regular or adjustable upper ball joints from Moog.

PS- everything that has been replaced has been Moog to this point.

Thanks
Kurt

 

The regular ones worked fine for me. Sounds like it may or may not be ball joints since the steering and handling on our trucks is poor, to say the least. I changed out my ball joints just because my truck had 200K miles but couldn't seriously tell you if they were good or bad. Adjustable joints are only if you have some weird tracking issues or have a wild lift and are not necessary most of the time. JM2C....

 

I, and others, have not had luck with MOOG lately. Might want to do a search before you drop the coin.

I would not go with adjustables for the same reasons stated above.

 

Jack each side up, pulling on the top and bottom of the tire when it is off the ground. If the ball joint is bad, there will be play. It may be tiny, but any play is a sign of a worn ball joint. It is very easy to check yourself. Buy good balljoints, like the XRF's. And, don't buy Mopar- the local dealer quoted me $602.00 for 4 ball joints. Can't hurt to try, right?

 

As stated, I wouldn't use the adjustables unless there was a problem I was trying to compensate for, as there is no "default" position on these joints. You can't set them up to the neutral position that your OEM ones were in.

Also, there is a factory wear spec on these joints and some play is allowed and desired. Many technicians will try to sell you new ball joints if they see any play at all, without bothering to look up a spec or measure the play. I would ask how much play was measured, and how far past spec they were.

 

The play in the ball joint was shown by the tech to me. It appeard to be 1/2 inch in movement up and down. So what I am gathering is that you should not use adjustable ones if in fact they are needed to be replaced....

Kurt

 

Wow, I can't say that I have ever heard that- if ball joints are supposed to have "some play", then why are the XRF's zero lash, no movement ball joints? And, any movement in a ball joint, other than turning, causes wear- when a ball joint has movement, the slamming of pot holes, ruts, ice, etc., it just accelerates the wear. I can't imagine that any movement in a ball joint is good. I am not trying to be arguemenative- I am just surprised at that statement.

 

Mine had about a 1/4" of play- and, when they were removed, they were very loose. If it were mine, I would definitely be putting a set of ball joints on that truck.

 

I bought adjustables. WASTE OF MONEY unless you need the camber adjustment. I suggest diagnosing where you are getting the play in your steering. DSS supports the pitman shaft. It does NOT correct too much play in the steering box. Start the truck, grab the steering shaft. Twist the shaft. Pull it sideways. Turning the shaft should cause the pitman arm to move. There should be no side to side play. You can adjust some of the play (specifics are posted somewhere). Play in shaft u-joints & you need a new shaft. I have the rock solid bushing & it is working well.

 

Read the fsm or most any manual. All cars and trucks have an acceptable amount of play. Once beyond recommended specs they should be replaced.

 

Yep, the third gen trucks have a spec of over .100" (almost 1/8 inch axial play). I remember Chev K trucks having a max spec of .080", so it's not just Dodge. Now, if you've read on here about the steering problems that Moog ball joints have caused on the third gen trucks, that is due to them not having any play. Do a search. If you go for a long drive, you will be exhausted from having to constantly steer your truck. They are too tight, and the steering binds and will not return to center after a turn. Replace the Moogs with an OEM joint, and the truck steers perfectly. These trucks all have some play from brand new, and will work fine like that for many miles.