I bought these xfr ball joints. I had heard good things with them, and so far they haven't failed yet.

XRF Ford Truck Front End Kits | Front End Kits available from American Undercar

 

You da man Tim! I'd love a Saturday tech day, get that passenger side done, hobnob diesel style, wax poetic about the beer and salsa pairings, etc.

Being the Holidays, free Saturdays are at a premium, but let's compare notes and choose a day before Spring. Maybe some Bay Area locals will want to join in.

Was that hitch mounted vise we used yours or Chets? Thing was BA.

 

That was my hitch vise grip

I have a buddy that we will be doing his ball joints and most likely after the holidays. I will keep you posted on the date when we will be taking on his ball joints.

It would be fun to get a few more together for an impromptu get together. Stay tuned.

Tim M

 

If you plan on keeping the truck forever, running big tires and wheels or just want the best, then the Dynatracs are really the only option. It is the only US made balljoint for our trucks. At $550.00 they are not cheap but many people are not getting very good service out of the old trusted brands. I just looked at like its 300.00 more for this pretty big job and I will never jack with them again. Then again, I probably will never sell the truck.

 

I installed Spicer joints on both sides 12/27/14 and now with 10k miles it appears at least the Drivers side has up/down play by hand on the rotor. I discovered this visible play in the upper BJ when changing the unit bearing last weekend. If I can see the play in the upper by hand, the lower has to be allowing it too I reason. I reached out to the vendor and was provided the warranty info which is not practical. You have to send the joints in, wait to see if they would approve them for warranty with a list of reasons they would fall into an exception category.

I'm better off buying new parts and doing the job again, but first, I will confirm what I saw. Not good timing as I'm gearing up for a significant modification sprint right now-truck is in my friends shop and not running in fact.

Reading through threads from searching the google box yields info suggesting no brands are that much different anymore...moog...spicer...xrf...napa... except Dynatrac at over $500. If that is what it takes to not have a failing part in 1 year and have the ability to rebuild in truck should the need arise, I guess that's where I will go.

Looking for specific advise if there is a reasonable alternative.

 

anybody use Raybestos brand ball joints.. When i was looking to do this last year or so I remember reading some post where guys had used this brand and had been having good luck with the professional grade version of this brand..

SO here we are a couple years out adn looking to see what the feeling on this brand is now.