Well half way through my trip up north I have found that my Balls joints are loose again.  

 

The moogs lasted 20K

The Danas lasted about 15k

 

Not really sure what to do.  I would love to just get something that lasted from the factory, but I dunno.  

 

Thoughts on what to try?  Should I do the dana ones again?

1 hour ago, Killer223 said:

page 3. or

http://youtu.be/y9tYpHfXkJs

That's pretty slick man! I'm going to try that after I get the new tie rod and drag link on. I'm always open to new and better ways of geting the job done. Something I've always said is that the day you think you know it all is the day you have truly become a fool. 

one could take this one step further, take the jack stands past the wheels and make them square to each other and the rear rims. so behind the truck and in front would have the same measurements. then you can set the alignment this way as well. and this also works for cars that have IRS. i've used this for YEARS and it's always been great for me.

Talking with my step father he suggested a good way to do an alighnment.

 

Use something that extends and locks to measure the distance at the front of the rim and mover to the back and compare.

 

Something like an extendo handle for a paint roller would work well, heck even an adjustable shower curtain pole might work ok in a pinch.

I like these. I might make some eventually.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00UTUS72Y/ref=aw_wl_ov_dp_1_1?colid=186EVLBXUUHHS&coliid=I1KW97J09O9C1Q

tire bulge can be to inconsistent. but nice idea.

i'm having a hard time even Finding Reybestos ball joints for my 04...

You would measure from the rim not the tire.

2 hours ago, Killer223 said:

tire bulge can be to inconsistent. but nice idea.

i'm having a hard time even Finding Reybestos ball joints for my 04...

Are these it?

http://www.amazon.com/Raybestos-500-1117-Professional-Grade-Suspension/dp/B001QVA6TW/ref=au_as_r?_encoding=UTF8&Make=Dodge|40&Model=Ram 2500|2780&Year=2004|2004&ie=UTF8&n=15684181&newVehicle=1&s=automotive&vehicleId=3&vehicleType=automotive

http://www.amazon.com/Raybestos-505-1311-Professional-Grade-Suspension/dp/B001QVBUYW/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1451503540&sr=1-2&keywords=500-1117

 

Here's the same thing but under the AC Delco Pro name.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?catalog=345&partnum=45D0117&a=www.google.com%2BSearch%2Bfor%2BACDELCO%2B45D0117&blanktemplate=true

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?catalog=345&partnum=45D2311&a=www.google.com%2BSearch%2Bfor%2BACDELCO%2B45D2311&blanktemplate=true

they must be. thank you. i do usually like to shop local. in case of problems, i can return to a store for help. had that issue with my shocks. got from shock warehouse. and on started leaking. it was a major hassle getting a replacement. now i'll spend an extra 10-15 for in store service.

Thank you for looking them up for me though.

No problem. NAPA carries Raybestos Professional under their own name for roughly 50% more than Amazon or RockAuto. CarQuest also carries Raybestos Professional but they are just as high as NAPA. 

I could have bought my Raybestos Professional steering conversion parts from the CarQuest here in town for almost $600. I paid $315 shipped for the exact same parts through RockAuto instead. I'm all for supporting my local businesses when I can but I'm not paying double to do it. 

I've heard of people having issues with shock warehouse. I was going to get my 5100's from them but ended up going with Streetside Auto since they had good reviews and the best price.

Ditto, I would like to support my local NAPA but they are double the price. I only use them for small projects or something I need right now. I just priced up shocks and rotors and pads for my cousin's F-350 and NAPA was almost double for the exact same parts

Well I am very happy to say that my eyeball and tape measure alighnment has fixed by pulling issue and my tire wear issue.

 

Ball joint us still needing to be replaced but at least I won't burn through my tires on the way home.

alright,

 

now that I am home I am trying to figure out what joints to put in.  It seems that the spicer joints that are knurled are the cheapo ones.  I can't remember if the ones I put in where knurled or now.

 

I am not sure if the denny drive shaft ones are knurled or not, but they are sold out regardless.

 

so my question now is where do I find the "good" dana spicer stuff?  Any more thoughts on another brand I should do?

Rock auto is very limited for what they have for 96-98 trucks, I think acdelco is the best they have.  No Rayebeso, no DANA.  

 

I hate hate hate this.

 

The AC Delco Professional ball joints are relabeled Raybestos Professional joints and are what I just installed on my truck. 

I'll post some more information shortly.

 

I just picked up some spicer parts from drive train industries Thursday in Denver. I know that they also have a location in Colorado Springs tel:(800)352-6639. Truck parts specialists is another place I've picked up spicer stuff but they're in Denver tel:(303)321-2000

Thanks I'll give them a call.

I ordered these from RockAuto, they are in fact relabeled Raybestos Professional joints. The boxes are labeled "Made in Taiwan" but the joints seem to be high quality and don't have that typical "cheap" feel to them. They are TIGHT, I couldn't move them with my bare hands whatsoever. They are also greasable, though there isn't enough room to leave a zerk in the top joint due to it contacting the axle u-joint. My main concern was with the knurling, which I knew they had when I purchased them. I decided to mic the old smooth body joints and compare them to the new ones, the results are listed below.

Old Upper: 1.748”
New Upper: 1.748"

Old Lower: 1.974"
New Lower: 1.975"

So, with these joints at least, the knurling won't enlarge the bore diameter and limit you to only using knurled joints. I've read good things about the Raybestos Pro joints, time will tell how they hold up but so far I'm happy with the quality.

Below are the RockAuto part numbers and prices.

Upper #45D0048 - $32.89
Lower #45D2181 - $50.79

The same joints can be at found at NAPA and rebranded as NAPA parts.

Upper #NCP 2601248 - $56.49
Lower #NCP 2601395 - $86.49

Edited January 4, 20169 yr by The_Hammer

Hey I know it's been a while but was curious about your thoughts on the raybestos now that you got some time on em? I'm thinking of getting some new joints as well and was curious about your thoughts.

On 3/7/2016 at 11:29 PM, notlimah said:

Hey I know it's been a while but was curious about your thoughts on the raybestos now that you got some time on em? I'm thinking of getting some new joints as well and was curious about your thoughts.

I don't know, but I think I broke a moog today.  Im probably going to be changing mine soon.

That sucks, how you know you broke one?!

Ive heard good things about synergy's ball joints and they seem reasonably priced compared to other big names.

just a guess.  I haven't had a chance to look at it yet, but I hit a rather large bump yesterday and now it wanders like it did when I was down a ball joint.