Well anyways it's time for me to rebuild the front end of my truck. I really need help with this on exactly what to buy.

Anyways, I'm 22 years old, and I'm on a sum what tight budget. I have a serious wobble when I hit bumps from my steering wheel, and the truck ALWAYS pulls to the right. I had the alignment done 3x and never fixed the issue.

I know I'm looking at the front ball joints as I checked them and they are bad.
----Where is the best place to buy these. I've heard RockAuto is the best place to buy the Moog's from, but does Moog make a non-adjustable upper. I will be doing this my self, and won't know how to install those.

Also the tie rods are shot on my truck. There is a lot of play in those as well. I see that Dodge makes an upgraded suspension for the truck. My dealer said $278 for the kit, and another $130 for the dampener. I just want to know if I can get it cheaper somewhere else.

Also, when I'm there I'm going to do the u-joints on the front axles. I got a quote from the dealer for $52/e for these. Would that be a safe bet as well???

Just looking for help, and what you all think is going to be the best route for me with all this

 

1st not going to the dealer is going to save money , RockAuto is a common source known here .
Doing a search with the term , death wobble , will get you a lot of info .
On mine I replaced the ft. shocks , and it kept the worst of it from happening , this is with everything tight on front end .
I would use the adjustable uppers , then go to a good alignment shop , they should have said that they cannot do an alignment with those parts being worn , especially 3x .

 

Yeah I think I got "had" on the alignment. Also, I will be doing the work myself on a lift at work. I don't think it will be too hard, just the money factor is the issue. I think the dampener and the steering kit I will buy at Dodge, everything else I will go elsewhere.

 

You want to save money but insist on going to dealer , I am not familiar with the kit you refer to so I can not offer a option .
It seems that the after market has cover more than the dealer for upgrades , but with an 05 , I would need some links to info to know what your referring to .

 

John, what would you personally recommend for upper and lower ball joints, and axle u-joints for a budget price. Spicer and Moog I've read a lot on, but will a shop know how to do the adjustment on the upper? Dodge ball joints are $340 for the set, and Napa is $360. Napa uses precision ball joints they said.

 

Brands can be hard to chase around because of all the changing names , who owns who , & weather or not that brand has things made in china now .
If my memory is correct , TRW used to make Moog parts , haven't got an update on that for a few yrs.
Spicer used to be good also , I have not been in bis for about 9 yrs. , I tried to keep up on what products I was installing , to keep a handle on quality , that's a job in its self .
RockAuto is a name that gets mentioned hear a lot .
Here's a link I had .

http://quad4x4.com/index.html

 

I wouldnt use the stock steering stabilizer(damper) with your size tires if you currently have any stock parts like steering stabilizer and shocks you need to get rid of them right away that could be half you problems. I have read good things on the newer steering setup but you could probably get it cheaper try http://www.dodgeparts.com/ or one of the other online factory parts dealers. But use aftermarket stabilizers and u joints get greasables I put in precisions from napa $42 each when I did mine. I havent done ball joints yet but everybody always seems to say rockauto

 

That seems like a good place to order, and moderately priced. Comes with instructions too, and all new nuts, and accessories for the job. $274 for non greasable ball joints, and 125 for the u-joints. Does not seem that bad at all. Anyone else think it's a good bet. I just don't want to order and have to do ball joints again in 30k miles

http://quad4x4.com/Dodge%20Front%20A...%202003-up.htm

Direct link

 

There is no garauntee that any parts will last longer than any other but I will replace with greasables everytime over non greasables just my .02

 

Most people seem to say that the Moog lower ball joints are the best. For the uppers a lot of people use Carli, however you can almost buy a small house for the price of the Carli uppers. I would recommend you put the "updated steering kit" on your truck. These can be ordered on line or at you local dealer. I disagree about the use of an aftermarket steering stablizer. I think the stock one is the way to go. It also bolts right up to the new steering upgrade. I would also replace the pitnam arm. If your shocks need to be replaced I'd use Bilstein 5100's. PLEASE read all the information about DW. It is possible that after you replace all the above parts you still may experience DW. There is no silver bullet and no one thing that works in all cases. If someone tells you different they are wrong IMO! What might stop DW for you might not work for me and visa versa.
Good luck with your reading--there will be lots of opinions--pick the ones that work best for you and what you can afford.
Jay

 

I just ordered the updated steering that dodge offers, also ordered the 2008 steering dampener just so I don't have to hack, and fabricate the new bracket, or my steering stabilizer. Now I need to pick a ball joint company and u-joints. The kit shipped was $375.00, but I forgot to add the nuts and washers but I'll just go to my local Dodge for that.

 

For ball joints, check out dynatrac.com they make heavy-duty prosteer balljoints for newer dodges now.

 

I checked their website, could not find anythng =/

 

Hmm, I saw the add in Diesel power and Diesel World mag. Weird its not on there site, maybe give dyntrac a call.

 

Any other help on ball joints? Any other input. I need to order today