Upper Ball Joint is Done

Average Joseph · **Posted:** Tue May 16, 2006 11:41 pm

I just found out today that my upper ball joint (right side) is mashed. Mechanic also said lowers had some play as well. My question is, do I install new oem uppers or do I have other options? I'd like to avoid completely replacing the upper arms for now as money is tight all of a sudden! Would it be better to get a whole new set instead of just replacing the damaged one?

Also, would it be more cost effective to go ahead and have the lowers replaced at the same time? If so, it only seems logical to go with the Moogs instead of the Chrysler ones that are so prone to failure. I've got 38,000 miles and 3+ years so I'm assuming I'm out of warranty anyway.

All advice is greatly appreciated!

SD-KJ · **Posted:** Tue May 16, 2006 11:58 pm

Average Joseph wrote:

I've got 38,000 miles and 3+ years so I'm assuming I'm out of warranty anyway.

If your jeep is part of the ball joint recall you can always have that done under the recall no matter how old or how many miles you have on it.

If its not, i would just replace the one bad one now if money is tight. I would add up the cost of the new ball joints and the labor to put them in and ask yourself if you can afford all new ones or just the one.

my 2 cents,

-Nick

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Average Joseph wrote:

I just found out today that my upper ball joint (right side) is mashed. Mechanic also said lowers had some play as well. My question is, do I install new oem uppers or do I have other options? I'd like to avoid completely replacing the upper arms for now as money is tight all of a sudden! Would it be better to get a whole new set instead of just replacing the damaged one?

Also, would it be more cost effective to go ahead and have the lowers replaced at the same time? If so, it only seems logical to go with the Moogs instead of the Chrysler ones that are so prone to failure. I've got 38,000 miles and 3+ years so I'm assuming I'm out of warranty anyway.

All advice is greatly appreciated!

If you're lifted you have some other options besides OEM on the uppers, if not then you're pretty much stuck with what the dealer sells you...

Average Joseph · **Posted:** Wed May 17, 2006 12:35 am

I am in fact Frankenlifted.

Even if I can get the lowers replaced under the recall, wouldn't it be better to just replace them with a better part and not have to worry about them failing again if it's not too much $$$$?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed May 17, 2006 5:25 am

Average Joseph wrote:

I am in fact Frankenlifted.

Even if I can get the lowers replaced under the recall, wouldn't it be better to just replace them with a better part and not have to worry about them failing again if it's not too much $$$$?

Not if you are tight on money right now. Get the mopar ones(If they are free) then when the money comes you can upgrade.

SD-KJ · **Posted:** Wed May 17, 2006 9:02 am

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Average Joseph wrote:

I am in fact Frankenlifted.

Even if I can get the lowers replaced under the recall, wouldn't it be better to just replace them with a better part and not have to worry about them failing again if it's not too much $$$$?

Not if you are tight on money right now. Get the mopar ones(If they are free) then when the money comes you can upgrade.

Exactly thats what i am doing...

-Nick

phxtoad · **Posted:** Wed May 17, 2006 2:27 pm

The upper A-arms are a unit with the ball joint so you have to replace the whole thing - unless you switch to Jeepin-Al's custom ones. I'm on my fifth new upper A-arm so far (three on one side, two on the other). You can replace the lowers with Moog ball joints which are greaseable.

Average Joseph · **Posted:** Wed May 17, 2006 6:37 pm

phxtoad wrote:

The upper A-arms are a unit with the ball joint so you have to replace the whole thing

Once again exhibiting the fact that I'm a dumba$$ :oops:

Although I'd love to go with Al's I think I'll just stick to oem... although it turns out a set of his are only about 10$ more expensive :shock:

Also went with the Moogs. Might as well get it done now rather than have the same problem in another year or two.

Moog K3199........$115
Piece of mind.....Priceless!

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Quote:

although it turns out a set of his are only about 10$ more expensive

Exactly...Al's arms are so much better than stock I'd just pay the $10. It gets your alignment back to specs (or much closer) and moves the joint off the spring. Plus the joint is then replaceable / serviceable / greasable without having to ever again replace the entire arm.

benmar2000 · **Posted:** Thu May 18, 2006 6:07 am

Skyjump136 wrote:

Quote:

although it turns out a set of his are only about 10$ more expensive

Exactly...Al's arms are so much better than stock I'd just pay the $10. It gets your alignment back to specs (or much closer) and moves the joint off the spring. Plus the joint is then replaceable / serviceable / greasable without having to ever again replace the entire arm.

With people talking about the upper A Arms hitting the springs.. I ordered a set of Al's arms before I even ordered my lift.. The thought of hearing clunks from the arms hitting the springs didn't set well with me.. Kind of like preventative destruction.. LOL..

Ben

Average Joseph · **Posted:** Sat May 20, 2006 2:15 pm

Quote:

Kind of like preventative destruction.. LOL..

These ball joints are pre-programed to self destruct anyway :evil:

So, I was just gonna replace the one upper arm with the original part but of all people, the parts clerk at the dealership actually talked me out of spending $187(the first quote I got was actually too low!) on such "a piece of crap." I'll be ordering a set from AL a.s.a.p.

I was trying to be a little frugal with my money but it turns out that Al's arms are actually cheaper and it would probably turn out to be more expensive to stick with original parts in the long run anyway! Time to flex the credit

Upper Ball Joint is Done

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