Went to the Dealer for an oil change, told me the ball joints needed "immediate attention!" $100 to replace (deductable). Dropped it off and got a call saying all the steering componenets, pitman arm, trackbar....etc, its all worn out. Needs to be replaced, $800. I have 47,000 miles on the truck, OEM suspention, lots of mountain driving, but this is my rapture truck so I'm taking care of it.
Is this normal for those components to ware out like that? Instead of OEM, what would be a solid aftermarket steering components?

 

I took my truck to an independant garage to do a once over before the warranty was up at 60,000 kms spring 2010. They told me that some of the front end linkage was a tiny bit loose. Said it wasn't bad really BUT they said it really should have zero looseness. I took it to the dealer and gave them a vague story about the truck wandering a bit on the highway. When I picked it up, they had replaced all of the steering linkage from the steering box to both wheels. Said the ball joints were okay.

 

Mine is getting upper and lower ball joints as we speak. I just rolled over 60K. Have already done both hub bearings and both stub shaft U joints now. The mechanic is having a heck of a time getting the ball joints out, thank you NY road salt! LOL My 06 used to eat ball joints like they were going out of style. This time I bought greaseable ones from NAPA and Im hoping that they last longer.