Anyone,

I recently replaced the tires for the first time on my 2002 2500 Dodge Cummins 4x4 and found that the ball joints were shot on the passenger side. The tire shop found this and showed it to me.(pretty loose) I also noticed excessive wear on the passengers side tire a while ago. They said the driver side was not as bad but not very good. That's all four ball joints!!! This vehicle has had mostly road driving (43k miles) with only limited trailer towing (7000lb max). I have had other vehicles with Dana 60s before with much greater life on the front end. The dealership won't warrant these and wants $240 a piece for the ball joints. I can't find them at the auto parts store.

Anyone else with this problem? Is there a source for better joints elsewhere? I don't feel like replacing them every 35-40k miles.

Any help greatly appreciated!!

 

Give these guys a try. They are OEM Dana/Spicer joints for $80 a pair. They are for a Ford, but that is what I use without any problems. Just get them for the open knuckle version of the front axle.

http://www.broncograveyard.com/produ...t/20/220/31802

Here is another supplier, that is $5 more: http://www.offroadunlimited.com/new/parts/parts/

 

Check the Dodge specs on these ball joints. Seems to me, since they changed the design in '01 or '02, they are allowed some axial movement. Back when I worked at a Dodge dealer, many people came back hollering for warranty, because a local tire shop "couldn't align it because the ball joints are all worn out." Upon checking them with a dial indicator, they were often well within spec. I'm not sure that's the case here, but it pays to be aware. Ask your shop what the spec is, and how far out they measured.