I have taken my truck to the dealer for the second time on the power steering gear box leaking and they have agreed to replace. Before I took the truck to the dealer I decided to check the ball joints because I have read so much on this issue here. I have found that they are excessively loose by jacking up one side of axle and placing a pry bar under the tire and lifting up and down, but dealer says they are in spec. This doesn't seem to be correct to me.Does anyone know what the specs are or have any suggestions while I wait on my national back order PS gear box?

 

I did the same thing, and received the same response from the dealer and had the same questions. I still have the same questions, but here's my plan.

I'm going to the dealer tomorrow to get mine checked because my truck is sitting right on 36,000. I'm going to ask them to document the actual joint measurement vs. the tolerances in the ticket. We'll see what happens tomorrow afternoon....

David

 

I just stopped by the dealer and was told that my PS gear box is on the way.I was told by the service manager that the ball joints for our trucks have some type of neoprene cushion in them and that is why we are seeing movement in them. Any thoughts on this?

 

Balljoints are only meant to ROTATE. Side play is wear, up and down is wear. These joints are junk. Lots of failures. You cannot feel it in the steering when they are going. I will have mine replaced by our local tire shop as soon as Moog makes a lube type joint. Lubed for life? Heavy Duty? Come on!!!!!!!!

 

I agree with you, typical BS from my friendly service advisor here in Warner Robins GA. I've had to fight him on everything from the first buy back due to paint issues all the way thru the ring and pinion problems I've had with this truck. I can't beleive I paid 35K for this truck and have to return to dealer at least twice with every issue before repairs are made. These service managers must get a Dodge bonus for turning us away.

 

It took me two visits to the dealership to get my ball joints replaced. The second visit was successful I think due to the fact that the same morning I dropped the truck off I called Dodge Central, wherever that is. I had Dodge and the service adviser on the phone at the same time, apparently that got their attention.

The shop foreman gave me the same line on allowable tolerances, the second time he said the same thing but agreed to replace them anyway. Any slop will lead to more slop. After they were changed I could notice a marked difference in the way the truck tracked on the road.

 

sounds like a plan.Where can I get the phone number to Dodge central? The only thing that bites about this is the ball joint that replaces the original is junk as well, so after the warranty period is up, we bite the bullet for better parts.This website is great for heads up notices such as this.

 

I got the number off the internet at dodge.com I think. I am hoping they had a bad batch off ball joints, who knows.

Its amazing how many fewer trips I have made to the dealership since the warranty ran out.

 

Update: Picked up the truck last night, feels like a new truck again! The ball joints and PS gear box was replaced and I didn't even have to complain to Dodge.I have to admit that the service manager at the dealer treated me fairly this time around, after I asked him if he was aware of Diesel truck resource, heck maybe he lurks around here!

 

Amazing how the squeeky ball joint gets oiled!