I'm not sure how to tell, but i've been noticing some knocking coming from my suspension from BOTH front wheel assemblies when turning and going up driveways or going over manholes. I can also feel it in my steering wheel. I can't notice anything visually under the truck around the ball joints but i'm not sure just how to inspect em either.

Some background: 04 quad cab with 4x4, HEMI, and 130k on the odo.

If anyone else has had similar problems, what was the issue?

If not, what's the best guess as to my problem? I want to take care of it before it costs me control arms, cv shafts, etc.

Thanks again gang. From myself and Jasmine (my baby).

 

To inspect ball joints, lift the truck by the control arms (right under the point where the wheel assembly turns) to take the weight off the wheels but keep it on the arms. Once you have it lifted, grab the wheel at the top and bottom and try to rock it in and out (pull out on the bottom while pushing on the top, and vice versa). It should have very little to no play. Also try to put a crow bar under the tire and lift up - same thing - it should not move much. If you look at the ball joints while doing that, you should be able to tell if they are allowing movement. I replaced ball joints three times on my old 2000 Dakota. The factory "sealed" ball joints suck.

 

if your gunna get new ball joints go with moog. they are simply the best. greasable and everything.

 

In addition try to rock the wheels side to side, push the front away and the rear towards you. While doing that take a look at the tie rod ends..I had the knocking also and had play in the outer tie rod ends, replaced them and the noise went away.

'02 with 99500 miles.

 

Now that's what i'm talking about guys. Bastards never taught me that in auto! Or maybe they did, and I was sleeping in the cordoba...

Regardless, Thanks a ton. I'm going to check it out next week when I got a sec.

About the moogs nim81, got info on them from personal experiences? I like the idea of greasable joints. This greaseless stuff is just crap. I think I heard the first knock 4 YEARS AGO! It's just now getting concernable tho.

 

Always get greasable everything as the solvents in grease evaporate within three years! Then you are running dry! Just don't forget to grease them every year as the dealers won't and will tell you they did! Manufacturers know this but they want your cash!

 

You don't have to actuall lift the truck to check the ball joints. More so for tie rods, but for ball joist just grab hold of the top of the tire and push/pull back and forth vigorously. Try to keep everything in stride so the truck is moving with you. This puts the extra weight motion needed to get the job done. You should feel nothing. if you feel or hear any kind of clunk or what feels like the wheel is sliding back and forth on an axle, then your ball joints need to be changed.
For the tie rods it's much eaier to jack up and go from left to right in a quick motion, like you were trying to turn the wheel, but can be done on the ground for a car, little harder with a truck because of the size and weight. That will have a little play in the steering box, but here should be no clunk sound either.

Also, it's better to check ASAP because if a balljoint lets go, your whole wheel will get ripped off and probably stuffed inside your wheel well or under the truck and cause lots of damage. We wouldn't want little Jasmine to get hurt now!

 

ya on my durango i had stockers, and they broke, then got moogs, and they lasted until i got rid of it. they were probably the strongest part of the underneath of that durango, they just cost a lil more but totally worth it!

 

To check the ball joints on the floor on a 5000lb truck you have to be a 300lb gorilla with arms the size of Arnold Schwartzniger! Better to do it on a jack (with stands so the truck doesn't drop on your head!) and use a crow bar.

 

^ +1 so much eaiser