peter

99 Durango 4wd, 96k miles, 5.9L. Recently had upper ball joints replaced,
and only after few thousands one of them is going again. I'm not even sure
what brand the garage put it... they can't find out themselves.

In addition it looks like several joints in steering are going: pitman arm
joint with center arm is loose, and left inner tie rod end is loose as well.
Those joints probably are responsible for mushy steering feel...

Any recommendations on quality UBJs that will last? Looks like pitman arm
replacement is major PITA since one has to take out whole steering gear -
any recommendations on how to do this? Inner tie rod ends seems easy - is it
a good idea to replace both sides (although right side seems ok)?

TIA,
Peter

james sedwick

There was talk of a recall on all but the pitman and idler arm..if you have
to go buy some, get the trw lifetime warranty at Advance Auto Parts..then
you'll be set for 100,000 more miles

steve

I believe that Durango upper ball joints were the subject of a recall.
If you had the work done by a shop that didn't know about the recall,
the parts they put in may just have been the same old thing as the
recalled parts.

peter

99 Durango 4wd, 96k miles, 5.9L. Recently had upper ball joints replaced,
and only after few thousands one of them is going again. I'm not even sure
what brand the garage put it... they can't find out themselves.

In addition it looks like several joints in steering are going: pitman arm
joint with center arm is loose, and left inner tie rod end is loose as well.
Those joints probably are responsible for mushy steering feel...

Any recommendations on quality UBJs that will last? Looks like pitman arm
replacement is major PITA since one has to take out whole steering gear -
any recommendations on how to do this? Inner tie rod ends seems easy - is it
a good idea to replace both sides (although right side seems ok)?

TIA,
Peter