I dont even know what a ball joint does (other than part of the susp)...but my uppers are apparently shot and needing replacement....

Is 40k normal wear / life? Anyone have any experience with the Carli Replacements?

Also front brake pads were down to 2mm at 40k miles...is that normal? Thought they lasted for ever....? Rears are at 8mm.

JG

 

I just replaced driveshaft u-joints, top and bottom balljoints, stabilizer links, front and rear brake pads a 44K on a 04.5 3500. The whole front end was shot, and on a truck thats led a relatively easy life.

 

ball joints hold the knuckle onto the axle, and as the knuckle turns when you are steering, the ball joints are what rotate to allow the knuckle to pivot. uppers could be shot at 40k, i would check myself depending on who told you. I just did upper and lowers, and with front tires off the ground, i could grab tire at 12 o'clock and 6'oclock and move knuckle in and out ~1/4in by push/pulling on tire. Put a 2x4 under tire and pry up to look for movement in lowers.

I went with the carli uppers, still a pin style and not true ball in socket, but very stout. Very pricey as well but i still came out ahead doing work myself. If you are going to do uppers may as well do lowers while it is all apart.

Brake wear seems excessive, my fronts are hardly worn at 60k, but i have a manual so no riding the breaks...

 

I get around 90k on a the carli joints. Auto Zone hates me for the semi metallic lifetime pads. Probably replaced them every 50k. Buy a set of good rotors.

 

Dealer (whom i would never trust) told me they were shot....only reason i believe them is i have had a few wierd front susp noises...that it's never had before.....

I'll have someone i trust check it out, and get the Carli's for good measure....

Thanks for the feedback

 

Mine were smoked at 30k, dealer changed them all out, then at 32k had to do all 4 again. 38k on the truck now and all 4 have play in them.



Tim

 

Boy do I miss the old F^%D I-Beam suspensions........of course it was 2 wheel drive

 

Yeah nothing like a big hammer and pounding out them kingpins Wish I had a dollar for everyone of those I fixed as well. Front ends wear out, that's the bare naked truth of it. Aggravating when they wear out so quickly.

Greaseable ball joints do help but ONLY if you service them on a regular basis

 

I hear ya Lary. I rmember pulling whole front ends out of those and putting them back in with a little 2t jack and my kids helping.
Take them to an old school mech to have them reamed and new ones put in, and back in in a day....I heard later there's even easier ways now.

I just don't get the way the new ball joints were out so fast. I remember old Dodge 3/4T, 4X4 front ends going for YEARS w/o problems....

I guess that's technology....

 

http://www.thecarlisuspension.com/do...alljoints.html

Not sure how much, but look like the trick!....is it really $500 for install? WOW!

 

I hated my Ford Twin Traction setup. We're talking 4wd but it wandered worse than my '99. The 2wd's are pretty sturdy though.

 

I never did find run across anyone who liked the 4X4 version.

 

Mine lasted only a mere 25kmi.! I got the Moog greaseable/adjustable joints guaranteed for life and had them installed at a local shop - not the dealer. Costly, but at least I won't have to worry about it any more.

BTW, the kingpins in the D60 on my 1st Gen are still tight and trouble-free at 90k miles.

 

Where did you get the Moog's? How much?

 

rockauto.com