97 Ball Joint Life

[gdgiordano]

What is the normal lifespan for the stock ones? 182,000 miles.

 

[XLTrunner]

I don't know if anyone can answer your question with any certainty. Too many variables involved in driving conditions and maintenance of other suspension parts. I changed mine out at 150K this Spring and I'm certain they were the originals. I see trucks consistently in the junk yards that look to have the original ball joints (based on their not having grease fittings and plenty rusty) with as many or more miles than on your truck.

 

[gdgiordano]

I don't know if anyone can answer your question with any certainty. Too many variables involved in driving conditions and maintenance of other suspension parts. I changed mine out at 150K this Spring and I'm certain they were the originals. I see trucks consistently in the junk yards that look to have the original ball joints (based on their not having grease fittings and plenty rusty) with as many or more miles than on your truck.

So it's likely? I had them replaced today. The old parts have a fair amount of bendibility. Is it true that they should be unbend able with bare hands?

 

[lobo411]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62bVn7E8gyk

I have a 96 w/ 170k. Mine are definitely on their way out, but I'm going to wait until they get really bad/make tons of noise before I decide what to do. It runs fine now, but who knows when the trans will die or something like that, and I'll feel like a fool for having thrown time/money into fixing the ball joints etc... At a certain point, an old car just becomes more trouble than it's worth.

 

[gdgiordano]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62bVn7E8gyk

I have a 96 w/ 170k. Mine are definitely on their way out, but I'm going to wait until they get really bad/make tons of noise before I decide what to do. It runs fine now, but who knows when the trans will die or something like that, and I'll feel like a fool for having thrown time/money into fixing the ball joints etc... At a certain point, an old car just becomes more trouble than it's worth.

Meh I love this thing. The tranny was replaced not long ago and everything is in generally good shape. I'd rather put money into this thing than spend 20k on a car that will be worth nothing even if I don't drive it.
So my ball joints weren't as bad as the ones in that video but they are definitely not firm or smooth.

 

[XLTrunner]

New ball joints will be plenty stiff if you try to move the stud by hand. Worn ones will roll around in the socket with relative ease. You're wise to have replaced them if they were suspect. Worn ball joints on our year trucks (mine is a '98 XLT) not only wear the tires unevenly...they can also contribute to the demise of the transfer case (as can mismatched tires of different diameters...or, even matched tires with variances of tread depth of more than 3/32").

Like you, I have a truck in excellent condition (bought and shipped from Phoenix 3 yrs ago) and don't have any qualms about spending some money on it for repairs. Here in MN, it's a real novelty to have a vehicle of this age that isn't a rust bucket...and, as long as it looks nice, I'll keep it maintained. As you say, the alternative is spending big money for something that will cost you more in depreciation, taxes, license and insurance.

 

[gdgiordano]

New ball joints will be plenty stiff if you try to move the stud by hand. Worn ones will roll around in the socket with relative ease. You're wise to have replaced them if they were suspect. Worn ball joints on our year trucks (mine is a '98 XLT) not only wear the tires unevenly...they can also contribute to the demise of the transfer case (as can mismatched tires of different diameters...or, even matched tires with variances of tread depth of more than 3/32").

Like you, I have a truck in excellent condition (bought and shipped from Phoenix 3 yrs ago) and don't have any qualms about spending some money on it for repairs. Here in MN, it's a real novelty to have a vehicle of this age that isn't a rust bucket...and, as long as it looks nice, I'll keep it maintained. As you say, the alternative is spending big money for something that will cost you more in depreciation, taxes, license and insurance.

Awesome thanks. The front tries were wearing on the inside more. The alignment was fine. I'd suspect that was from the front wheels moving around on the bottom.
Mines a Colorado vehicle through and through.

 

[koda2000]

I'd say you're definitely due for ball joints at 182K. What usually happens with the OE joints is that the boot deteriorate and then dirt/water get in into the joint and they wear out pretty quickly. While there are other factors to how quickly the bj's wear out, I'd say to start thinking of replacing them at around 100-150K. Also consider the upper/lower control arm bushings as they also deteriorate with age.

 

[Flash]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62bVn7E8gyk

I have a 96 w/ 170k. Mine are definitely on their way out, but I'm going to wait until they get really bad/make tons of noise before I decide what to do. It runs fine now, but who knows when the trans will die or something like that, and I'll feel like a fool for having thrown time/money into fixing the ball joints etc... At a certain point, an old car just becomes more trouble than it's worth.

I know how you feel. I've got a lot of little jobs I need to do on mine but I'm not 100% sure I'm going to keep it.

One thing about ball joints though is you'll chop out your tyres and they're pricey.

 

[imp]

Ball joints seem to last as long as the rubber sealing boot remains intact. Once cracked, lubricant washes out as grit enters. Grit eats metal, water allows corrosion. Both my uppers were severely cracked (rubber), 130,000 miles, so I replaced them. The old ones were still fairly tight, but no idea of how long they were cracked; probably not too long. imp

 

[Mike65]

I am on my 3rd Ranger & my wife is on her 3rd Explorer Sport & my experience has been between 100-130K, but like stated above as long as the rubber sealing boot remains intact they will last a little longer. I replaced mine on my 00 Ranger this past summer @120K.