What is up with the stock ball joints?

[Big Time]

Are they just cheap? Why does everyone recommend Moog problem solvers? Is it because you can actually lubricate them? I had heard that the stock ball joints can't be lubricated at all. That and the fake oil pressure gage are a couple of disappointing things about this truck.

I have an 2003 2wd 3.0 XLT regular cab with about 72K.

My alignment is all messed up and there is a popping noise when you turn the wheel at a standstill that goes away sometimes. I live in a dusty area and from what I can see, the dust seals are dry-rotted.

There were a lot of threads about it on the old board, but I need a synopsis of what is up with these ball joints and what people do about it. Should I replace both the uppers and lowers with the Moog parts? I'm still gonna search here, but this ball joint issue should be a sticky somewhere.

Anything else I should look for? I already jacked the truck up and tried to wiggle the wheel and it wouldn't budge, so I'm pretty sure it's the ball joints.

Thank you as usual gentlemen.

 

[Simple_serf]

Personally I feel that the newer style front end design is under engineered, when compared to a 2wd ttb front end.

"modern" dust seals just don't hold up, especailly when you factor in salt/cold/heat conditions. I put greaseable lowers on my truck and when the uppers crap out again, I am going to put moog Problemsolvers on it.

They are recommended because they fix the engineering problem (in my opinion).

Check your tie rod ends carefully. Mine made a popping noise, but showed no signs of being loose, until I pulled out of a driveway and both wheels were pointing opposite ways.

 

[seminaryranger]

You pretty much named the problem. "Lubed for Life" ball joints.

My front ent was all out of whack for a long time. I'd replace one ball joint when I noticed a tire wearing funny. 15K miles later, I'd be replacing another one.

I finally bit the bullet and had all four ball joints replaced on my '99 2wd (coil spring suspension) with some NAPA heavy duty greasable ball joints. I also replaced the outer tie rod ends because the boots were busted on those as well.

But now, everything has been good for 20K miles and no funky handling or tire wear.

 

[Simple_serf]

hmmm.. 20K eh? That means that they are all going to go within the next 500 miles!

The results will be similar to the pic at the left.
NAPA gave me the wrong parts and insisted they were correct.



J/K


Paul

 

[canyoncritter]

I dont know alot about the 98 and newers. but on the beam front rangers, the only ball joints that are really worth a shit are the spicer pro grade the ones with the blue dust caps.Napa sales them under thier name as well. just make sure you get the ones with the blue boots. and yes they are grease-able

 

[Big Time]

My tie rod ends look OK so far and I that is what the wiggle test is for (when you jack up the front end and try to force the tire toe in and toe out.)

But I am going to go ahead and just get all the ball joints replaced with something better.