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Snow

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
So I seem to have a very loose lower ball joint and was told to replace it ASAP.

Just wondering if I'd be alright just getting the replacements at the nearest Autozone or would it be better to order something like this?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOG-K80605/?rtype=10

Trying to replace all four so it might get a little pricey. I was told they'd be about $40 at the local automotive shop such as Autozone. What would you do?
 
#2 ·
MOOG are top-of-the-line, probably the ones at AutoZone are OE with a 1 year warrenty.

...yeah, I got to replace the uppers on my '02. I found a set of uppers for $51 at Advanced Auto. The beatch will be grinding/cutting the rivets off.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Ordered my uppers and lowers (Moog) through Amazon ($205.92 shipped) and saved a ton! Stay away from the Chinese made crap Pep Boys, Advance, AutoZone sell. Your steering, suspension is NOT an area to go cheap on.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Venumb said:
Ordered my uppers and lowers (Moog) through Amazon ($205.92 shipped) and saved a ton! Stay away from the Chinese made crap Pep Boys, Advance, AutoZone sell. Your steering, suspension is NOT an area to go cheap on.
Click to expand...
Will most likely do the same thing you did.

Got a link to the exact product?

Edit: Funny thing with your quote too because I say the same thing about my truck. Haha. I say it's maroon or burgundy.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
#7 ·
Snow said:
Alright so truck is a 2001 Dodge Dakota SLT 4X4 3.9L

Looking for upper and lower ball joints.

Came up with model number MOOG K7392 for uppers.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C57YOI/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

And mdoel number MOOG K7395 for the lowers.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C57YVG/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Do these seem right? I don't want to order and get them and then realize I bought the wrong part.
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Unless there's a difference from 2000 to 2001.. those would be the correct ball joint part #'s.
 
#9 ·
Snow said:
Thank you. Yeah those are the ones rockauto.com recommends for my vehicle.

Did you install yours yet? If so how hard was it.
Click to expand...
Going out on a limb here and saying your factory uppers were done in the recall. So those are bolted in. Ass for the factory lowers. Theyre pressed in then have a lip securing it to the congrol arm on the top of the lower. Go rent a ball joint tool and a hand held propane torch when it comes to removing that lower. Its a real pita. Did mine in a couple of hours. Helps the fact im a diesel mechanic as well.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
fox racer said:
Going out on a limb here and saying your factory uppers were done in the recall. So those are bolted in. Ass for the factory lowers. Theyre pressed in then have a lip securing it to the congrol arm on the top of the lower. Go rent a ball joint tool and a hand held propane torch when it comes to removing that lower. Its a real pita. Did mine in a couple of hours. Helps the fact im a diesel mechanic as well.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the pointers.

My uncle is the one doing everything and I'm fairly sure he has the ball joint press. I will let him know about the riveting, so he has an easier time removing the factory ball joints.

I'm going to order the ball joints sometime today. Just hope I'm ordering the same exact part that I need. Anyone else know if these are the right model #'s for my vehicle? I'm fairly confident that everything is correct, just want to be 100%.
 
#11 ·
Snow said:
Thank you. Yeah those are the ones rockauto.com recommends for my vehicle.

Did you install yours yet? If so how hard was it.
Click to expand...
I installed mine a few months back. I have decent tools which made it easier. I did struggle w/ one of the lower bj's even using a bj press. It took a liberal amount of heat and my mini sledge to drive it out.

fox racer said:
Going out on a limb here and saying your factory uppers were done in the recall. So those are bolted in. Ass for the factory lowers. Theyre pressed in then have a lip securing it to the congrol arm on the top of the lower. Go rent a ball joint tool and a hand held propane torch when it comes to removing that lower. Its a real pita. Did mine in a couple of hours. Helps the fact im a diesel mechanic as well.
Click to expand...
My uppers were replaced on recall as well but were smoked by the time I realized the lowers were shot.
 
#13 ·
Moog is the best. My uppers were out when I purchased my truck, but somebody had replaced the lower A-arms with the cheap factory crap. While I was replacing the uppers, I drilled and taped the lowers for zerks. It's been a couple years and so far so good.

A note on greaseing lower ball joints: Jack up each side using the A-arm, and greas it off the ground. That is the only way to take the pressure off the lower joint.
 
#15 ·
pray that the rubber boots are already pressed onto the balljoint housing! i did the BJ's in my 98, the lowers had the boot separate. after over a half hour of trying everything i could think of to press them on, i ended up snipping the metal ring inside the rubber just so they would fit over the balljoint body. then of course, they were junk in a year. got moogs again, this time i checked when i picked them up that the boot was already on.

i found on my 02 when i did the lowers, its easier to unload your torsion bars to get the knuckle off the lowers without popping the top ones. but if your doing uppers and lowers, you gotta pop them off anyway. and yes, a torch and a ball joint press kit are your friend, they'll be needed. and as long as your going this far, replace your axle seals. you have to pop your balljoints or pull your wheel hub assembly in order to have enough room to slide your CV shafts out to do those seals. as long as your this far, do the seals, too for like $17 a piece from dodge.
 
#16 ·
6shooter said:
pray that the rubber boots are already pressed onto the balljoint housing! i did the BJ's in my 98, the lowers had the boot separate. after over a half hour of trying everything i could think of to press them on, i ended up snipping the metal ring inside the rubber just so they would fit over the balljoint body. then of course, they were junk in a year. got moogs again, this time i checked when i picked them up that the boot was already on.
Click to expand...

I fought with the loose boots for a bit as well until I remembered I had a ball joint press and a 4WD front end service kit loaded with various size cups and discs. 1 minute later I was back in business.:mullet:
 
#17 ·
Venumb said:
I fought with the loose boots for a bit as well until I remembered I had a ball joint press and a 4WD front end service kit loaded with various size cups and discs. 1 minute later I was back in business.:mullet:
Click to expand...
yeah i was hung over, limited on tools and it was my first time lol lesson learned, tho
 
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6shooter
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