I have read that the stock ball joints in the JK have plastic bushings in them, and die quick. I have 50k on my jeep with 32in tires and I am about to upgrade to 35s and want to replace my balljoints and install "C" gussets.
Does anyone know if the ball joints quardatec sells are better than stock?
http://www.quadratec.com/products/56100_0002.htm

 

Also I was thinking of buying the teraflex axle sleeves. Would this be needed for a guy with 35's who just drives fire roads? I am more of the overlander type, hoping to the do the Washington backcountry discovery route in 2012.

 

I am not sure. I read in a 4X4 mag that the stock ones are made of plastic and people have had them fail in just a few thousand miles? I dont really know what a bad ball joint feels like. I am mostly wanting my JK with D30 to be 100% after I upgrade to 35in tires.

 

If these are the ones made by Crown they are basically the same as OEM.
That said mine were toast after 25k mi, and I replaced them with the Crowns and they are still
going strong after 31k mi on them. I just upgraded from 33s to 35s about 2 months ago and have to see how that affects the life span.

 

To check your ball joints jack up the front end and put grasp the top and bottom of each tire. Pull on the bottom and push on the top to feel for any play. Then pull on the top while pushing the bottom. Put a little ass into it as well when checking and if you feel any play you have a bad ball joint. Also, if you find one side bad and not the other still replace both sides.
There's a little ball joint 101 for you

 

Go to your local autoparts store and get the MOOG ones! Much better quality and better price!

 

Hey southern girl you have a part number for those? I was just gonna upgrade to dynatrac prosteers after Christmas but if these are less than 6 hundred bucks then I'm all for it.

 

I just recently helped my friend install spicer ball joints he got from qtec. They said spicer, and rugged ridge on the box.
They were not black like the ones op posted. I think he paid around 100$ or so for a side. Upper and lower.
They were similar to the stock ones.
The dynatrac ones are an upgrade, and totally different design, and greasable.
The dynatracs are well worth the money! I have had em in for a while and there still like new!

 

Hey Dirtman are they serviceable? and btw I just looked JC whitney has the Moog's for around 90 bucks a side.

 

Go here to read about the OEM ball joints: https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...-Study-Results

Here is how to check them for wear:

Radial (side-to-side) movement in the upper ball joint should not exceed 0.060" (1.5mm).

Axial (up and down) movement in the lower ball joint should not exceed 0.050" (1.25mm).


A dial indicator is the best instrument to measure ball joint play.

Jack the front tire off the ground.
Place a jack stand under the axle next to the jack.
Lower to put some weight on the jack stand.
Place a long pry bar under the tire, from the side.
Have someone pry the tire up and down while you watch the lower ball joint for up and down play.
Axial (up and down) movement in the lower ball joint should not exceed 0.050"

Have someone grab the tire at top and bottom to wiggle the top in and out while you watch the upper joint for side play.
Radial (side-to-side) movement in the upper ball joint should not exceed 0.060"

Even if the upper joint checks good, change both if the lower checks bad.