Ball Joints

Ford4Life · Sep 20, 2007

Hey all, havn't been here since the old TRS (used to be OldRedd). Anyway, I have a 1998 Ranger with 4" Trailmaster lift running 33"s. I recently had to replace the upper and lower balljoints again for the second time in a year (thank god they were 'lifetime' guarantee). I realize that the big tires contribute to this, but what can I do, short of a SAS, to make these buggers last longer? I don't do extreme hardcore wheeling, but the truck does see offroad almost every weekend. BTW, the drivers side was always worse so I now have a grease fitting on the upper ball joint that I grease every other week. Will this grease really help? Thanks a lot!

samsonitesamsonite · Sep 20, 2007

making sure they are properly lubed will go a very long way

4x4RangerGuy · Sep 20, 2007

Honestly, I wonder if it's the lift itself. The spacers on the Trailmaster lift put extra strain on the ball joints, where as the superlift kit just uses new extended knuckles.

Beyond that, keep them lubed. Constantly.

hitech_hick · Sep 21, 2007

What size of rims are you running and what is you backspacing? I Trashed a set of ball joints within a month of putting my 35x12.5x15's with 15x10 inch rims with 3 5/8th backspacing on my '94. 3 years and 12,000 miles later they have still held up.

hick

Ford4Life · Sep 22, 2007

I'm running 15x10 Wheels. They are American Racing Bajas. Not sure on the backspacing..

Honestly, I wonder if it's the lift itself. The spacers on the Trailmaster lift put extra strain on the ball joints, where as the superlift kit just uses new extended knuckles.

I have had the mechanic who replaced my ball joints say something along those lines of "a goofy design" in referring to that part of the kit. It's been a few months, and it's still holding up it seems. My only concern is the grease fitting is only for the driver's side, but that is the side that is always worse for some reason? Considering going with smaller tires after these 33s wear out. Possibly 31's and smaller rims to help with this problem? What do you guys think? :icon_cheers:

Ball Joints

Ford4Life

10+ Year Member

samsonitesamsonite

20+ Year Member

4x4RangerGuy

15+ Year Member

hitech_hick

15+ Year Member

Ford4Life

10+ Year Member

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