Ball Joints need replacing like oil does

[smonaldo]

I own a 2000 slt model with 98k miles on it. I bought it with 29000 miles 3 years ago. I just had to put the third set of ball joints in this vehicle in the time I have been the owner, and the second idler arm. This is the first time I had to pay because it is out of warranty. Is this normal for these vehicles? Is there any after market mods that can be made to the vehicle that could extend the life of these OEM pieces of crap?

[BlazerLT]

First of all, have you been greasing all 11 lubrication points on your front end?

Is your front end aligned properly?

What brand of replacement parts have you been using?

[smonaldo]

well, now you have me o the lube issue, because I usually have a "lube/oil/filter" done for me very 3-5,000 miles because we are averaging 20k+ per yr. But truthfully, I cannot say that they are dilligently doing what they are supposed to. As far as allignment, it was done at about 60k when I had the tires replaced. The parts they are using? Don't know, probably oem. any recommendations?

[BlazerLT]

#1 Rule of Lubrication:

DO NOT ASSUME THE GREASE MONKEYS ARE DOING IT!

Most of these oil change places are using anyone to do the oil and lubes with little to no training.

Hell, I had to force them to even attempt the upper balljoints and when I crawled underneath my truck with a grease gun out of curiosity, only 4 or the 11 were lubed AT ALL.

Get under your truck with a grease gun and lube all 11 points properly and don't ever trust anyone to do it properly unless you are right there watching them.

As for parts, only use Moog, lifetime warranty.

[smonaldo]

I knew you knew the answer. And you are correct in the fact that they ARE NOT lubing all points, as I have watched and never seen the guy reach for the grease gun, or at least the guy that should be doing the uppers! Moog, lifetime warranty...nice, provided they are properly serviced, of course.
Last question, as I see that according to Alldatadiy, they are not that difficut to remove and repace, as they sit on the ends of the upper and lower control arms, and the allignment is not compromised as it is in the case of tierod ends. And, in my case the originals have already been drilled out. Am I correct in this assessment?

[BlazerLT]

True, but also, they could just be dry, hit them with grease and I bet you the noises will go away.

Buy a good grease gun and some grease and get under your front end and grease away.

You will learn more about your truck in the process.

[blazee]

Grease them until the rubber boot is firm. Do not over grease them or the boot will bust and allow dirt to get into the joints and wear them out PDQ.

[BlazerLT]

Yip, two or three full pumps will usually do it.