How can I be sure that the ball joints in my 2000 Dodge Dakota are bad?

J

joenusz

New member
2000 Dodge Dakota
V6 3.9L
Automatic

I recently had a tire repaired at a local tire shop. Because I had a road hazard package, they offered to balance and rotate my tires for free. After lifting my truck, they informed me that my ball joints were going out and needed to be replaced, and they estimated the cost of labor and parts at $1300.

My truck has perfect alignment (I can drive a half-mile on a level, smooth surface without touching the steering wheel). I am under the impression that worn ball joints would cause my steering to be erratic. How can I be sure that the ball joints actually need to be repaired? Or, is the tire shop just trying to sell me something that I don't need?
 
Put a jack under the lower control arm and lift the wheel off the ground. Grab the tire, top and bottom and alternately pull with one hand and push with the other. A lot of slack indicates ball joint wear. You can have someone look while you move the wheel and see if it is the top or bottom. If you grab the wheel at front and back you can test to see if tie rod ends are worn.
 
truck ball joints and suspension are under tremendous tension unless they unloaded your suspension to change the tires they could not possibly tell unless the joints have wear indicators but most are "sealed for life" you would need to use a wrecking bar or tire lever to check and I would not think they had your permission to do that
 
truck ball joints and suspension are under tremendous tension unless they unloaded your suspension to change the tires they could not possibly tell unless the joints have wear indicators but most are "sealed for life" you would need to use a wrecking bar or tire lever to check and I would not think they had your permission to do that
 
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