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Old 03-14-2014, 02:51 PM   #1
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Thrashed front end bits

I just got back from trying to get my van aligned. It keeps trying to drive me off the road.

The recommendation is sad. I've got significant play in the ball joint, tie rod ends, and the track bar is a bit thrashed. I guess it's maybe 60K after conversion to 4WD, so I guess I got good duty out of them. I could probably go a bit further, but in my experience once one, and certainly more than one, of those components starts getting play failure becomes more of an option, and often in a big way. Better safe than sorry.

But that being said, any way to mitigate abuse of this stuff? I didn't think I ever needed a steering stabilizer, for example, but I wonder if it helps with wear?

Or any other suggestions while I'm getting half a new front end?

Rob

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Old 03-14-2014, 04:41 PM   #2
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Re: Thrashed front end bits

Dyna-Trac ball joints. I have 40k (originals lasted less than 25k) on mine and they are still perfect.
http://dynatrac.com/products/jk/dynatra ... oints.html

Z
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Old 03-14-2014, 08:32 PM   #3
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Re: Thrashed front end bits

X2, I just ordered up dynatracs free spin hub kit converted to 8X6.5 and their ball joints, coming in next week, they are a bit more money but look bomber, good to hear the positive review. So as it is, I've got 117K on what I believe to be the original ball joints, I've never swapped them and I don't think the previous owner did either, got the van at around 55K. if you don't want to splurge the extra, go with Dana spicer ball joints. The other would be to get some new track bars, do you have a quigley conversion? Derek at Colorado Camper Van has some very stout, adjustable, rebuildable replacements and yes, good steering stabilizers and shocks, like bilsteins or Agile off road's fox conversion kit make a huge difference. check your bushings too.
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Old 03-14-2014, 08:42 PM   #4
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Re: Thrashed front end bits

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeta
Dyna-Trac ball joints. I have 40k (originals lasted less than 25k) on mine and they are still perfect.
http://dynatrac.com/products/jk/dynatra ... oints.html

Z
Well worth the money IMO
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Old 03-15-2014, 04:46 PM   #5
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Re: Thrashed front end bits

I got the dynatracs as well but haven't installed them yet. If I wasn't going to go that route it was a toss-up between non-greasable Spicers or NAPA premium.

OP, how old is your van?
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