Control Arm and Ball Joint Bushings worn out

[DHBPhoto]

Hey guys,

About a month ago I started noticing a vibration coming through the steering column while on rocky dirt roads. Not noticeable straight or rock crawling. I didn’t think much about it, but then I started feeling it when hitting joints in the road while turning. Again, straight it feels fine. Finally got around to taking in the truck (really, was time for an oil change). The prognosis: passenger control arm and ball joint bushings are toast. Driver side ball joint bushings are toast. The solution: order the bushings and install when they come in (of course they are back ordered).

Tech said it’s safe to drive but to come in as soon as the bushings arrive.
I have 50k miles on a 3.5eb, Fox 2.5 level, SPC Upper Control Arms and run 285/75r17 rubber (for about 5k — and about when I noticed the vibration).

This isn’t really a post about what to do or what not to do, but just a post letting you all know it happened. I do drive HARD Offroad and on do a fair amount of high speed dirt road rallying.

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[KartRacer25]

Thanks for posting.
Yeh I keep bending my brackets and will prob need to bend back and weld in a gusset at some point. And replace bushings or whole LCA as a unit. But still rides, and wheels, fine for now.

Passenger side bent in but still articulates ok:

Drivers side still looks good:

 

[Mash150]

Just back from the dealer . Took the truck in for oil change and winter tire change over. Came back with a bill for over 1300.

Required drivers side ball joint, no off roading and mostly highway driving, currently near 36000 km or about 22400 miles, but that was warranty work. Also rear brake rotors had to be machined, callipers were stuck or sticking both front and rear. Snow tire metal valve caps welded onto the valve stems and unable to be removed without cutting out the valve stem. Regular maintenance replacing air and cabin filters. Regular oil change here in Canada at the dealer is just over a hundred bucks. Oh well, on the bright side, everything was caught early enough and the brakes pads were fine . This was the fix for the parking brake recall

Inspected EPB wire harness, passes inspection, installed tie strap and tape to the wire harness, and rear axle mounting clip.

 

[WhiteLightningnshitshadow]

Yeah but are you lifted or on a front level? I'm betting the 2inch+ levels with just basic shock swaps or spacers are going to wear faster. Lotta off roading and immersion will speed it up too.

Just back from the dealer . Took the truck in for oil change and winter tire change over. Came back with a bill for over 1300.

Required drivers side ball joint, no off roading and mostly highway driving, currently near 36000 km or about 22400 miles, but that was warranty work. Also rear brake rotors had to be machined, callipers were stuck or sticking both front and rear. Snow tire metal valve caps welded onto the valve stems and unable to be removed without cutting out the valve stem. Regular maintenance replacing air and cabin filters. Regular oil change here in Canada at the dealer is just over a hundred bucks. Oh well, on the bright side, everything was caught early enough and the brakes pads were fine . This was the fix for the parking brake recall

Inspected EPB wire harness, passes inspection, installed tie strap and tape to the wire harness, and rear axle mounting clip.

Be

 

[Mash150]

Stock truck from the factory. Even sporting those 4x4 Pirelli Scorpions

 

[DHBPhoto]

An update for you guys:

I was mistaken, the problem was the UCA by SPC. The ball joint had to be fully replaced (that's how they do it) and the bushings as well. The LCA was fine. The mileage on this UCA was maybe 20k – not sure – but I've had SPC on my Tacos in the past that went way beyond 100k miles.

The dealership didn't reach out to SPC to start a warranty claim and SPC is being a tad testy about the warranty claim. I fronted the $2k bill: SPC ball joint and bushing replacement kit, labor and an aligmnet. Yikes... Literally the one thing that wouldn't be covered by my ESP warranty.

I sent in the ball joints, so fingers crossed I get a free set for my next replacement.

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