Forum Discussion

LMMNOCATS_EFI's avatar
LMMNOCATS_EFI
Explorer
Dec 26, 2017

Ball joint failure

So on Friday I took the truck in for an alignment and once done the tech was back it into a spot and the driver side ball joint snapped so they jacked it up and called me for an ok to replace it so they did .... fender was kinda jacked up from the truck falling on top of it. Worse part the very next day I’m going down the road at about 75 and pop the other side broke but as I said I’m in the carpool lane when this happened and had about as much time as it takes one to check you side mirror to look to my right for other motorist and pick my path ... so the tuck was riding on 325 60 20s and when it broke the tire somenhow stayed upright and I assume is what kept me from spinning around and stopping and being a sitting duck in the middle of the 57 freeway as you all that live out here know how fast plp drive ...’truck stopped maybe half a foot before the wall and no one hurt and only damage done was to my truck and morals


Warning to all I didn’t think these were cheap parts but clearly was wrong ... both sides of the ball joints were replaced 2 months ago and they failed this quickly and some
One could have been killed so just my opinion don’t skimp on these weak links on our trucks ... I could have been towing the hauler and would have been much worse. I have pics but can’t ever get them to load up but if I do I will
Tow Vehicles
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Dec 26, 2017
    That’s crazy.....
    Have to be a batch with casting flaws or something. Glad you’re ok, but it still s ucks. What brand were/are they?
    I’d hope the mfg would be interested in making you happy and keeping others from the same fate.
    Merry Christmas. Hope the body shop bill ain’t too bad.
  • LMMNOCATS_EFI's avatar
    LMMNOCATS_EFI
    Explorer
    Dec 26, 2017
    OH and Gdtrailer my truck is plenty capable for what ever I need for it im 33 and bought this truck myself in 09 and if polled most would say my truck looks way better then yours does just sayin
  • LMMNOCATS_EFI's avatar
    LMMNOCATS_EFI
    Explorer
    Dec 26, 2017
    Well the spindle doesnt put any more stress on anything then the stock one and the keys were not cranked at all and truck set completely level and the only "help" they needed were just being cheap parts and the tire size people run quite often with stock steering components as well as mine did before this happned... the stock ones never broke they were just worn so I thought I was being smart by replacing them with new ones seeing the stock ones had 350k plus and were not making noise or anything it was just well past the time of having them changed so dont be afraid of the spindle it works great just get the HD joints and keep rockin
  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    Dec 26, 2017
    LMMNOCATS_EFI wrote:
    So on Friday I took the truck in for an alignment and once done the tech was back it into a spot and the driver side ball joint snapped so they jacked it up and called me for an ok to replace it so they did .... fender was kinda jacked up from the truck falling on top of it. Worse part the very next day I’m going down the road at about 75 and pop the other side broke but as I said I’m in the carpool lane when this happened and had about as much time as it takes one to check you side mirror to look to my right for other motorist and pick my path ... so the tuck was riding on 325 60 20s and when it broke the tire somenhow stayed upright and I assume is what kept me from spinning around and stopping and being a sitting duck in the middle of the 57 freeway as you all that live out here know how fast plp drive ...’truck stopped maybe half a foot before the wall and no one hurt and only damage done was to my truck and morals


    Warning to all I didn’t think these were cheap parts but clearly was wrong ... both sides of the ball joints were replaced 2 months ago and they failed this quickly and some
    One could have been killed so just my opinion don’t skimp on these weak links on our trucks ... I could have been towing the hauler and would have been much worse. I have pics but can’t ever get them to load up but if I do I will


    Sorry, gonna have to agree with "Me Again".

    It IS YOUR FAULT with a 4" spindle lift PLUS OVERSIZED TIRES.

    Put it BACK TO STOCK height and put on the ORIGINAL OEM SIZE TIRES and you WILL end all of your broken parts and should be able to get at least 100K miles from a set of ball joints.

    Lifted and oversized tires not only look stupid they put excessive stress on components that where never ever designed or intended for.

    Therefore you must take all responsibility for the mess you created and quit blaming others.

    Man up, fix it correctly (back to OEM height and tires) then move on..

    Otherwise take your chances that it might happen again, but this time it could be while towing!
  • mat60's avatar
    mat60
    Explorer
    Dec 26, 2017
    Me Again wrote:
    Maybe it does not like the 4" spindle lift and larger tires?
    ..I just looked at a Fabtech 4 in spindle lift thinking that it would come with heavy duty ball joints but this kit uses all stock front end parts..Cranking up on the keys to much is hard on front end parts also.
  • mat60's avatar
    mat60
    Explorer
    Dec 26, 2017
    I agree..Inexpensive ball joints just wont last as long but they don't fail like that or this would happen all the time..Im glad you didn't crash and It seems funny that you were fine before your alignment.
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Dec 26, 2017
    Maybe it does not like the 4" spindle lift and larger tires?
  • mich800's avatar
    mich800
    Explorer
    Dec 26, 2017
    Sounds like whoever you had do the ball joints either used inferior or incorrect parts.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,025 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 18, 2025