Premature upper ball joint wear

I'm wondering how many 1999 suburban owners have had to replace the upper ball joint before like 50K miles? I was told by independent alignment shop at 30k miles this upper right ball joint was worn. They showed me how, with truck lifted off its wheels, you can grab the top of the tire with both hands and wobble it back and forth. Implying the ball was moving back and forth in its socket.

It was under warranty at that time but the dealer said nothing wrong with it (figures). A week later I did my own lube job and repacked the front bearings. After I reinstalled and torqued to spec (12 ft lbs) I could not reproduce this wobble. So at the time I figured it was actually that the bearing was not torqued enough and it was the bearing, not the ball joint, that was allowing the wobble of the wheel back and forth. I wrote it off to the shop trying to generate work.

However, after 3 attempts to align this truck and eliminate RF outside tire wear, she still pulls to right. So I'm still wondering if maybe it could be a ball joint problem after all. How much play would be normal? Has anyone dealt with this?

BTW great forum, great members. THanks

The 88 Silverado was the first to have the no-lube balljoints. Sometime in the first year, you could bounce the front fender and hear some bad squeeking and grinding. Dealership checked it out and replaced both sides top and bottom. Seems there was a service bulletin describing the problem. Haven't had trouble since. Sounds like the same thing.

I Have a '99 burban and while im just starting to experience what I believe to be ball joint problems my truck has just shy of 70,000 miles. I hear a loud "bang" or "pop" from the front end when turning...namely into a parking spot or out of a parking spot. Was less frequent about 10,000 miles ago but now getting much worse. I'm putting my money on lower ball joint(s). I'll send you an update. P.S. have you raised or lowered you suburban since this or before your issue?? If so, did it help or make it worse? Thanks, Mike

BTW great forum, great members.

have you raised or lowered you suburban since this or before your issue?? If so, did it help or make it worse? Thanks, Mike

no have not done anything except try to get it aligned. It has been pulling worse and wearing outside edge of right front tire. I swapped left with right and it is more centered now but won't be long before right is wearing out again. You doing new joints yourself?

No, Im thinking about having a Bell Tech 2" 4" drop on it. The truck is an "SS" edition 1 of 178 make so I figured it would look good and eliminate my problem..... I posted another issue regarding a rear end "howl" or whine sounds like rear brakes hanging up.... check it out too. I dont have any pulling or feathering issues on my tires but I keep 'em rotated every 5k.... let me know if you think of anything else, I'll do the same. - Mike

I Have a '99 burban and while im just starting to experience what I believe to be ball joint problems my truck has just shy of 70,000 miles. I hear a loud "bang" or "pop" from the front end when turning...namely into a parking spot or out of a parking spot. Was less frequent about 10,000 miles ago but now getting much worse. I'm putting my money on lower ball joint(s). I'll send you an update. P.S. have you raised or lowered you suburban since this or before your issue?? If so, did it help or make it worse? Thanks, Mike

BTW great forum, great members.

I have a 99 2500 burb. Has 57k but makes groaning or popping noise, drivers side front when I take off from a dead stop or while turning when backing up. Have had two mechanics look at it and not be able to find culprit! Have had suspension checked, new pads and rotors turned still no help.