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Ball joint life span?

Bowtie85

Bowtie85

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Just wondering what you guys running a 10 blt/D44 are getting for life out of a set of ball joints?

I put a set of TRW's in the blazer last year, 12 miles later and they are pretty much hatched. Im running 33x12.5 km2's on stock Ralley's as well.

I kind of figured they'd last a bit longer, or I got a chinese knock off set of ball joints?
 
Bowtie85 said:
Just wondering what you guys running a 10 blt/D44 are getting for life out of a set of ball joints?

I put a set of TRW's in the blazer last year, 12 miles later and they are pretty much hatched. Im running 33x12.5 km2's on stock Ralley's as well.

I kind of figured they'd last a bit longer, or I got a chinese knock off set of ball joints?
Click to expand...

Did you forget to grease them? Ball joints that are properly greased should last you at least 100K but if you have wheels with a large offset that will prematurely kill ball joints and wheel bearings but NOT at 12 miles.
 
TRW, SPICER, MOOG or CHINA JUNK, none of them last any longer than the other. [my experiance]
After a while you get good at changing them out on a regular basis.
I have too much tied up into these axles to switch over to anything bigger.Might not want to make this mistake:whistle:
 
I wheel the wee out of my rig, and my balljoints are still good.
Not perfect, but good.

But, I do replace them a couple times a year.
 
4X4HIGH said:
Did you forget to grease them? Ball joints that are properly greased should last you at least 100K but if you have wheels with a large offset that will prematurely kill ball joints and wheel bearings but NOT at 12 miles.
Click to expand...

greased them a couple times. The only thing was that the uppers had to be greased with the axle shaft out which was kind of a pain.

Its mostly seen all highway, and not much offroading. From what I have read it sounds like most ball joints are chinese made and ya have to just get used to it.
 
Bowtie85 said:
greased them a couple times. The only thing was that the uppers had to be greased with the axle shaft out which was kind of a pain.

Its mostly seen all highway, and not much offroading. From what I have read it sounds like most ball joints are chinese made and ya have to just get used to it.
Click to expand...

The nice thing about Moog ball joints is they place the zerk on the edge of the ball joint so you don't have to remove the axle in order to grease them. :thumb: You just have to make sure you install the ball joint so that you can get to the zerk (don't install them with the zerk facing the spindle).
 
4X4HIGH said:
The nice thing about Moog ball joints is they place the zerk on the edge of the ball joint so you don't have to remove the axle in order to grease them. :thumb: You just have to make sure you install the ball joint so that you can get to the zerk (don't install them with the zerk facing the spindle).
Click to expand...

Another time saving tip, from 4x4High... :D
 
Here is hoping that you meant 12K instead of just 12.
If you drove around the block and a wheel fell off, then I suspect something was seriously wrong with the joint or the install.

I'm running 12.50 33s and I think I have over 110K on mine. Of course I don't wheel in the same territory that these rock hounds do, plus its a Ford...........
 
Ya they have 12,000 or so on them. The roads around here are junk which prob doesnt help.

The tires seem to be wearing fine as well.

The upper ball joint has seen the most wear from what I can tell.

Currently Im swapping axles, 3.08's in it now to a set of 3.73's I had in a suburban. Thanks to 4x4high for reminding me about the moog joints. I think thats what Im going to put in this go around.
 
I go throughout them quite fast. But with the truck in the air and hitting stuff at 50 plus, I do not expect much out of them. The MOOG with the side zerk is a must.
 
Whats wrong with that one? I have one just like it. Just used it on my junk last week, works fine.
4x4high< what would you recommend the preload be on the upper?
 
Fordum said:
Here is hoping that you meant 12K instead of just 12.
If you drove around the block and a wheel fell off, then I suspect something was seriously wrong with the joint or the install.

I'm running 12.50 33s and I think I have over 110K on mine. Of course I don't wheel in the same territory that these rock hounds do, plus its a Ford...........
Click to expand...

What axle do you have in your ford? Is it that D50 TTB one?
 
Slapperbar said:
Whats wrong with that one? I have one just like it. Just used it on my junk last week, works fine.
4x4high< what would you recommend the preload be on the upper?
Click to expand...

The new ball joints come with instructions that tell you what to torque it to and IIRC it is either 50 or 70 ft/lbs.
 
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