Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-11-2017, 12:55 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
jage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 7,643
Dynatrack Rebuildable Ball Joints?

OK sell me on Dynatrack rebuildable ball joints. I'm doing a brake upgrade and need balljoints as part of it, not because they're worn. Just hit 90k mi.

The rebuildable version is $411 more expensive than not. I get that if you're running a bro truck at 80mph on washboard all weekend you might REALLY need these but even with oversized tires (34s) my dynatrac Pro-Rock has held up fine. Based on how I use the van I can't imagine why I'd ever need these, not in the next 50k miles in any case.

So... any real reason to put the rebuildable ball joints in over the OEM spicer ball joints?

__________________
it was good to be back
jage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2017, 02:47 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Pntyrmvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: GTA, Ontario
Posts: 1,102
Bragging rights.

Trust the family is well, Mr. Founder!


"Talk is cheap. Whiskey costs money."
__________________
"Talk is cheap. Whiskey costs money."
Pntyrmvr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2017, 03:08 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Posts: 1,995
You probably don't need the Prosteer but if it matters to you they are designed and made in the USA. They could quite possibly outlive the life of your van but that was my choice. Otherwise, I would have gone with the NAPA joints over the spicers and avoid Moog altogether. Other opinions may vary but the reputation and apparent quality of Moog has gone downhill in recent years.

NAPA ball joints are apparently made by Spicer (DANA). The only difference between NAPA and Spicer may be just that the Napa is greaseable. It would be interesting to know if it is made for NAPA to higher spec. As an OEM replacement the NAPA ball joints are highly regarded by the off-road Baja racing crowd. They are made in Taiwan.
__________________
2005 E350 RB 6.0 PSD for extended fun
1989 Landcruiser FJ62 for local fun
2011 VW TDI Golf for hwy fun
JoeH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2017, 11:49 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Posts: 1,995
Nice install article on the ProSteer's. Dynatrac Heavy-Duty ProSteer Ball Joints - Install - 8-Lug Magazine
__________________
2005 E350 RB 6.0 PSD for extended fun
1989 Landcruiser FJ62 for local fun
2011 VW TDI Golf for hwy fun
JoeH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2017, 12:30 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
TomsBeast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Brentwood, CA
Posts: 1,051
I considered those when I did my ball joints, but didn't go that route because of cost, plain and simple.

I can tell you that swapping out ball joints is not easy or for the timid, its heavy and ugly work, 3lb sledge, leather gloves and steel toed work boots required. A $100/hr shop has got to charge 8hrs + $400 parts for that job.

I did mine while the axle was out, as part of a much more extensive DIY job.

I guess the serviceable joints can be repaired in a few hours?

My other thought is if I changed to serviceable ball joints, I'd want serviceable wheel bearings too, if you don't already have those (I think the Dyna axles come that way?) OEM Ford/Dana does not, the wheel bearing units are a non-serviceable item. Guys with the lifted 'bro trucks' are constantly swapping those out, too
__________________
1995 E350 7.3 Diesel, 4x4 high roof camper, UJOR 4" lift
TomsBeast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2017, 01:03 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Posts: 1,995
Quote:
Originally Posted by TomsBeast View Post
I considered those when I did my ball joints, but didn't go that route because of cost, plain and simple.

I can tell you that swapping out ball joints is not easy or for the timid, its heavy and ugly work, 3lb sledge, leather gloves and steel toed work boots required. A $100/hr shop has got to charge 8hrs + $400 parts for that job.

I did mine while the axle was out, as part of a much more extensive DIY job.

I guess the serviceable joints can be repaired in a few hours?

My other thought is if I changed to serviceable ball joints, I'd want serviceable wheel bearings too, if you don't already have those (I think the Dyna axles come that way?) OEM Ford/Dana does not, the wheel bearing units are a non-serviceable item. Guys with the lifted 'bro trucks' are constantly swapping those out, too
I guess it sort of depends on how often one's rig eats ball joints. Some report every 30k and others get away with 100k.
__________________
2005 E350 RB 6.0 PSD for extended fun
1989 Landcruiser FJ62 for local fun
2011 VW TDI Golf for hwy fun
JoeH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2017, 01:08 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Jsweezy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Hillsboro, OR
Posts: 1,371
Garage
Biggest plus is that you dont have to remove them to rebuild them.

Other than that its just expensive.
__________________
2010 E150 5.4, E250 suspension, E350 springs, BFG KO2 265/75/16.

Google Sled Hockey - You won't be disappointed.
Jsweezy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2017, 02:06 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
TomsBeast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Brentwood, CA
Posts: 1,051
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jsweezy View Post
Biggest plus is that you dont have to remove them to rebuild them.

Other than that its just expensive.
Are the service parts also expensive?
__________________
1995 E350 7.3 Diesel, 4x4 high roof camper, UJOR 4" lift
TomsBeast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2017, 03:01 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Jsweezy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Hillsboro, OR
Posts: 1,371
Garage
I just googled the rebuilding kit and found it for 196.
__________________
2010 E150 5.4, E250 suspension, E350 springs, BFG KO2 265/75/16.

Google Sled Hockey - You won't be disappointed.
Jsweezy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2017, 04:45 PM   #10
REF
Senior Member
 
REF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Boulder, CO.
Posts: 2,552
Send a message via MSN to REF
I ended up biting the bullet on the price difference and put in the Dynatrac ball joints a few years back, rather I had someone else put them in along with the free spin hub kit to get rid of the unit bearings. Over built for sure, and often needed when running large tires 37" and up. I've often followed the mantra-upgrade when replacing. I never ran into issues with the oem, others have reported needing to replace them every 30K, so really up to your particular experience, needs, and how deep your pockets are for a bit of piece of mind [emoji848]


'03 Ford E350 7.3L Diesel
SMB RB50 w/CCV top
Quigley 4X4 w/Deavers & Agile RIP kit
__________________
'03 Ford E350 7.3L Diesel
(de)SMB'd Custom RB-50
Quigley 4X4 w/Deavers & Agile Offroad's R.I.P. package
CCV High Profile Pop Top
REF is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:35 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.