How lond are ball joints suposed to last.

[STCM(SW)]

I'm wondering if I should have mine checked.
My 1999 Taho has 64,365 miles on it.
Things do wear out.........

 

[tacreload]

I'm wondering if I should have mine checked.
My 1999 Taho has 64,365 miles on it.
Things do wear out.........

According to Caj you got another 300,000 to go.

 

[Comrad]

 

[Sawfish]

Blue broke down and I had to have her towed this morning. Have to replace upper and lower ball joints and I am PISSED! How long are these supposed to last???

Maybe GM will have a recall on these this year.

 

[Sawfish]

Kissing ball joints. That just doesn't sound right to me....

Sounds like a place off Bourbon Street.

 

[chief38]

Mine are 60 years old and still working fine!

 

[BigBill]

Some of the replacements have zerk fittings so they can be greased.
I use the heavy equipment off road grease.

When I was a mechanic at a dealership we would replace ball joints as they had 1/8" of slop in them. I checked the new ball joints and they had more slop in them. I questioned the head mechanic and was told to just do the job. Being newly married with a baby I shut up.
I would never take or trust my car to a dealer.

 

[Sawfish]

Mine are 60 years old and still working fine!

You must grease them on a regular basis.

 

[G-Mac]

Well, she's a 1999 Suburban with 367,500 miles.

If those ball joints were original, I'd say that you've done very well!

 

[G-Mac]

....the BJ's should last forever...

Are we still talking about truck parts here?

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Are we still talking about truck parts here?

I certainly hope so-otherwise there are gonna be a lot of dings handed out

 

[Krell1]

I thought this thread might be related to something personal. At my age, ball joints can go at any time. Constant velocity is a thing of the past. Struts can also be an issue. And, don't get me started on idler arms! I think, at my age, I've had almost all these parts repaired or replaced at one time or another. Just my thoughts on the subject.

 

[EugeneNine]

Depends if they are greasable or not and if greaseable if they were done right. Ungreaseable are disposable and will need replaced often. Greasable if you pay someone else for oil changes they will either get missed or too much tearing up the seals.
I've always greased mine myself every oil change and have never needed replace one.

 

[V1 Rotate]

Well, she's a 1999 Suburban with 367,500 miles. I don't think I've had anything done on the ball joints before today. These are easy miles mind you, no off-roading with a little boat towing and some launch ramp work thrown in.. But I always launch the boat from the rear hitch so the ball joints have never gotten wet.

As all have said, your ball joints owe you nothing. Period. I don't think any cars or light trucks past the 60's have had ball joints with grease fittings.
Your said you were towed-did the ball joints separate from the suspension?
If they did and you maintained control and pulled over with no damage, then not only do the ball joints owe you nothing, but they gave you a parting gift of the highest value before they departed to go live on the big ball joint farm in the sky, and you are very lucky! Bill S

 

[EugeneNine]

As all have said, your ball joints owe you nothing. Period. I don't think any cars or light trucks past the 60's have had ball joints with grease fittings.

Cars don't but trucks do. My 2004 does, only 125,000 miles on it so far, my 1988 had 200,000 with all the original steering components.

 

[Hillbilly77]

Well, she's a 1999 Suburban with 367,500 miles. I don't think I've had anything done on the ball joints before today.

Not only do you owe those ball joints dinner, but they deserve to be mounted on a plaque above the mantel.

You got your money's worth and then some.

 

[gaucho1]

Mostly depends on how many parachute drops you've logged.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Good God Caj, You have nothing to complain about. 367,500 miles on a Suburban & all you need is ball joints? Most Suburbans of that vintage don't have doors that haven't fallen off.

 

[bgrone]

Ball joints

My daddy tol me to stay outa dem joints! nuttin but trouble!

Seriously I think you did well, my 94 Z-71 has 288,00 and still good in that dept,.did have to replace one of the original u-joints last year


Jim in Iowa

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Good God Caj, You have nothing to complain about. 367,500 miles on a Suburban & all you need is ball joints? Most Suburbans of that vintage don't have doors that haven't fallen off.

I fixed the doors last year