ajpulley

After taking the truck in for a state inspection, the station wouldn't pass it due to ball joints. Oddly, I just had them replaced under (extended) warranty at the end of 2010, less than 40,000 miles ago. These are Dodge's joints as that is all they would install under warranty. They are not greasable. The original joints failed just under 80,000, and also were not greasable. But these didn't make half of that. I don't plow, I tow 12,000 pounds occasionally, I rarely use 4-wheel drive other than during the winter snow, job sites are limited to pavement and gravel, and my tires and wheels are OEM.

After remembering this post, I wondered who has had bad experiences with other brands besides Moog? I considered Carli's joints, but can't swing $1600 just for joints. I still have to pay for labor. So, I'll settle for store joints as long as they're greasable.

What brand has either failed you early, or caused other problems? Or, what has worked well for you?

seafish

I have read too many posts about the XRT bj's failing.

Dyna Trac bjs are a sturdy, less expensive alternative to Carli bjs. They are also greasable and rebuildable.

I will likely install them next time my truck needs bjs as I have read ONLY good things about the the DynTracs.

Wolfwalker

In July of 2011 I replaced mine with XRF's. I haven't had a problem yet. I have about 28,000 miles on them.

torquefan

I am thinking that the inspector didn't actually measure them to verify they were worn beyond Dodge's spec. Some inspectors and even technicians don't understand that most ball joints and other front end parts have a wear spec, and are actually designed with some necessary movement built in to them. You may simply want to bring in a Dodge service manual for your truck and ask them what was measured and how it related to the wear spec.

ajpulley

Dyna Trac ball joints are about $659 for a complete set, plus $10 for the installation tool.

Are Carli joints $800 per side, or for the complete set?

Dr.Dizzle

The Carli's are $800 for a complete set of uppers and lowers.

TedT

I agree with torquefan. The BJs may still be in spec. I doubt that the tech used a dial indicator to check them. I takes time to look up the spec and set up the dial indicator. I used to be a mechanic and know how things work in a garage.

ajpulley

That's exactly what happened. So, it passed... this year. Presuming I get the same mileage that I got from the first set, I'll still have to have them done again.

So, the question still remains. However, at this point, I can start saving for Carli's joints I suppose.

fork10

it's no surprize i have been out of the repair business for several year's and now getting back into it. was talking to a state tropper about what i had to do now to get my lic back and he was telling me about one of there biggest problems is answering complaints about bad inspection. telling people the part is bad when really it's not. that's just hard for me to understand.as far as BJ'S not to use the napa brand has been the worst i have ever used.

spooled05

My stockers lasted 38k than went through 2 sets of moog that were junk than ended up with xrf lowers and carli uppers and have been about 120k with this setup.

chrism69

I have an 06 Ram changed uppers and lowers at 50,000. I installed Carli uppers and XRF lowers and have 52,000 mi on them now and they are still tight.

railroaderone

got 40k on my XRF's no play and happy with them mine are greaseable

spooled05

The xrf lowers are a good product , mine still have zero up and down play. Ive been hearing not so good things about their uppers but idk never used them. Mine are also greesable.

Polarlys

I got 90k miles out of my stockers on an '06 3500. I replaced then with stockers again. I figure that 90k wasn't bad and went with them to avoid all the bad ones floating around out there.

verdesardog

Just get Carlie's and be done with it, I did!