My truck has developed a funny feeling when turning at a slow speed, approx 5-10 mph. I notice it more turning to the left. It feels like the truck does if you put it in 4 wheel drive on concrete. I feel a little bit of a lurching feedback through the steering wheel and through the trucks suspension. I jacked the front end up and checked the ball joints and wheel bearings for for play. The ball joints seem okay, the wheels bearing have a very small amount of play in them. Could it be the front u-joints? How can I isolate the problem?

 

Sounds like a u-joint to me...

 

I 2nd the u joint diagnosis.
Don't wait too long before replacing them.
How many miles on this truck?

 

Mine did it. New U Joints fixed it, also a great time to change the ball joints since you're in already?

 

90,000 miles on the truck. It has been running at least 33's since it had 1500 miles on it. It has had 37's on it for the last 32,000 miles. I am going to inspect the ball joints.

How much "play" in the unit bearings is okay?

 

There should be no play in the unit bearing. Oh and the ball joints are allowed a pretty large amount of play according to the service manual. I forget which is which but one joint is allowed .060" and the other is allowed .090" FYI...

 

I have changed u-joints and ball-joints plenty of times on standard axles (D44 and D60) with locking hubs. I have never messed with these front ends with the unit bearings. Will I need any special tools or are there any tricks?

 

A socket for the axle, a good torque wrench to replace it, and lots of tricks for the hub, no special tools. Do a search and find your preferred method.

I used the steering (didn't need power) and forced it out and some use BFH's. Try this thread to start.

Good luck and have patience.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...6&postcount=10

 

The unit bearings came off fine and appear to be tight (no play), but ball joints are shot. I got the old ones out and am going to pick up some new ones after lunch. The driverside u-joint was completely burnt up, needle bearings were pretty much just dust.

 

Had to order some Moog BJ today, nobody in town stocks the uppers or lowers, what gives?

 

You might want to read up on the lowers. Just my .02cents but a bunch of folks have having major issues with them. I have a friend who manages a garage up north and they won't even put them in a dodge truck now because of all the lower joint issues they were having. Been a bunch of posts on here about it. Not telling ya what to do, just giving some info.

 

^^^Yes Sir, RonP...

sqrl$$,

Read through this thread!

Click Here.

 

Noooooooooo! don't buy Moog!

 

Well I haven't paid for them, just got Advance to bring them from another store. What do you suggest? Nobody else Autozone, O'reillys, napa or even the dealership did not have lowers nor could they get any. Dealership could get some from another dealer, but they want $130 each.

 

XRF's or Carli's seem to be the ball joints of choice, so far...