I put a post on the ABDTR #5 about lifting my dually and this comment came up. Wondering if anybody can shed some light on bearing issue with 4th gens?
Is the front diff that much of an issues? I know and have heard about people having issues with front Mag Hytec diff covers or basically any front aftermarket diff cover for that matter on 4th gens. I had to cut a 3" inch groove through the fins on my 08 front diff cover. Would extra fluid and a chopped up diff cover really solve "bearing issues"? If the is an issue what else would solve it?
P.S. I am running the 12.5s with a 2" dully spacer.

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Hey couple words of advise. Any time you use a suspension with sperical bearings (rod ends) you will notice that they wear out quicky in our environment. How are you going to run 35x12.5? on a dually going to use spacers? I run Americain force on my 2010 dually and they work awsome but very pricy. I would run a Mag Hytec front cover will give you all the protection you need. One steering stabilizer will do also.

 

Im pretty sure the spherical bearings being refered to are the tie rod ends and ball joints. The lift couple with the bigger tires really put a stress on the already mediocre factory units.

 

I disagree with the rod end statement. Properly sized for the application, they've got a decent service life. They ARE a wear item and they aren't servicable... Now they make servicable joints like "Johhny Joints" etc, but they're larger. The teflon ring WILL wear out over time, but "quickly"? No. I'd guess maybe 30k-40k and you'll start to see SOME wear with normal use. Now if you're beating on it, everything has a shortened lifespan.

 

As someone from his area I will add that one winter here will kill a rod end quickly. The rod end on my Carli trackbar barely made it thru one winter before it was trashed. Lots of salt and sand goodness on the roads.

 

I hadn't considered corrosion, LOL. I'm from AZ.

 

Same front axle in the 4th gen as the 3rd gens. Never heard of any issues with the bearings in these axles. Ball joints are a wear item, but there are solutions for that. As for the mag-tech cover for the front, its just a waste of money. Never has any issues with any of my truck over the years with axles. I change my oil once a year in my axles.

So far the stock tie-rods/ball joints have held up fairly well in my 2010, but mine pretty much stays on the highway, that not saying much for hiways in Sask and Manitoba. On my 2010, I sticking with the stock ride height. I use my 02 for the rough off roading stuff for work.