ball joints

[jwebb1998]

Just looking for opinions,  I've never had to change them before, but i noticed a tire is starting to lean and wear uneven, so i think its time.  Anyone have a preferred ball joint?  I'm looking at moog and Alloy but synergy seems to be the cheapest.

[Twisty]

You get what you pay for. 

I like Moog.

[Axle]

Moog is good, but check everything else first, you don't want to do ball joints if you only need tie rods.

[jwebb1998]

Pitman arm down to passenger tire is all brand new and judging by the way the tire leans in if looking down from the top someone said its ball joints.

[Axle]

check the unit bearings as well( just jack it off the ground and wiggle the tire). jack it up so the tire is about 2-3" off the ground, use a 2' bar under the tire and lift up while someone watches the ball joints. if there is any play, they are bad.

[Twisty]

Bob's right, check them to be sure they are bad before spending the cash on them.  Also, if you do have to do ball joints, it's not the end of the world.  People make a huge deal out of having to change them and talk about how much of a PITA they are.  The most inconvenient part of the process is the time.  If you have a good press (which you can rent from Advance Auto) it should take you a Saturday. 

[HEYzipupyourfly]

i dont know if they make them for your application but i got the dynatrac ones for my dodge and all i can say is i almost wanted to put them on my mantle rather than in my truck but it had to be done and i'm glad i went that route. highly recommended.

[jwebb1998]

I'll check them out, but its for the jeep, dana 30

[Blacky]

When I searched for the dynatracs when I was doing ball joints on my zj, I found that they didn't offer them for that Dana 30. They did however offer them for the jk Dana 30/44. I want the dynatracs for my dodge, maybe next time

Have you checked the joints yet to see if they do have play?

[Krome]

get whatever is lifetime warranty, moog is likely the best. youll replace them every year with bigger tires and wheeling anyways.

[jwebb1998]

When I searched for the dynatracs when I was doing ball joints on my zj, I found that they didn't offer them for that Dana 30. They did however offer them for the jk Dana 30/44. I want the dynatracs for my dodge, maybe next time

Have you checked the joints yet to see if they do have play?

I'm a slacker, still need to check them out, but just been so damn busy, I don't have a safe place at home to do it, plus i think the rig might have some other more pressing issues that could determine if I'm even going to worry about the ball joints or anything else for that matter.

[HEYzipupyourfly]

maybe i'm old school but the only time i ever "worried" about ball joints in my jeep (not daily driven, well kinda) was when i was waiting for my inspection sticker. then i didn't worry again for another year. i knew they were blown and i saw them every time i replaced a ujoint and axle shaft but the reality of it is they aren't going to kill you if they have a little play, it may be a little diabolical on the street and at speeds but if you cared about handling you would have bought a miata, not a cardboard box with marshmallows for wheels.
Im not saying forget them and never do them but a bad ball joint wont completely fail for some time after it develops a little play.

[SPYDER]

yes this is true...but with how long his jeep has been sitting.  I would want new ball joints in there before it got daily driven...but I do agree it might not be priority #1 for me unless they are seized.

[Casey L]

I use these ball joints

http://www.4wd.com/Drivetrain-Differential/Dana-30-44-Spicer-Replacement-Ball-Joint.aspx?t_c=12&t_s=237&t_pt=101151&t_pn=D/S706944X

They do not have the knurled OD, They are very similar if not the exact part that came on your jeep from the factory.

Most aftermarket joints have an knurled OD, so the bore in the axle becomes oversized, and you can no longer use these ball joints again unless you get creative.