Recommend me some ball joints..

[c20040215]

No issues with the zerk layout on the teraflex joints? Saw someone smashed the ports during install, and Murphy's Law is a thing.

I just replaced mine with Teraflex units. I have no doubt the Dynatrac ones would be stronger and more durable. The rebuildable feature is very nice for those who go thru balljoints quick. Pay attention and use the right tool when installing, Zerk fittings are none issue.

Personally, my usage do not justify the $700 price tag on a $2000 axle. Honestly, the OEM balljoints I removed were still in great shape after 45,000 miles with 37s, which does not surprise me since it is a preventive upgrade for me. They could easily last another 20,000 miles. How you use your jeep and how your wheel and tire set up is critical, too. I believe having more than needed offset wheels (poke) is the biggest factor that kills your balljoints, regardless the brand.

Being a better material than OE and preload adjustability, $275 Teraflex units are a good happy medium between cost and longevity for me. Teraflex, Synergy and Dana are pretty close in my opinion in terms of quality, longevity, and price. And Dynatrac and MC are at a different level, if you have the need for them.

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[JT1]

Did a poll here:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/heavy-duty-ball-joints.111661/

current results:

reading through that thread now.
Thanks!

 

[word302]

reading through that thread now.
Thanks!

Polls are kinda silly. Very few users have experience with more than one brand of anything. Poll threads are just filled with “the ones I bought are the best……because I bought them”.

 

[AnnDee4444]

Polls are kinda silly. Very few users have experience with more than one brand of anything. Poll threads are just filled with “the ones I bought are the best……because I bought them”.

Not this one: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/the-great-meaningless-engine-poll.85724/

 

[Old Jeeper]

The time has come. I have some deflection on the drivers front that I can feel while driving and hear when the jeep is on jack stands. 20k miles, 17k of that on 37's.

Currently it looks like we have 4 popular options. Am I missing any others?
Metalcloak ~ $650
Dynatrac ~ $650
Synergy ~$300
Teraflex ~ $300

I know the Metalcloak and Dynatracs are rebuildable in place, but $150ish to rebuild them means the break even is 3 full replacements of the synergy or teraflex sets. I only average about 7500 miles a year and don't plan on being buried in this jeep.

Is there a massive increase in strength or durability going to the rebuildables?

I do wheel in the rocks, but I don't drive it like I need to win King of the Hammers either.

Dynatrac, I was a dealer for them and I got to be after I sent in a pic of my Jeep with them installed. So they made me a dealer and yes they are the King of Axles. THe offroad is his side business. He is a supplier to To various companies that make custom off-road rigs...not ours, but rigs for expeditions around the world and is a supplier to FOMOCO.

I never had to replace my Ball joints over right at 100k miles. I did replace my Wheel bearings once, but that driving thru rivers n such....

Old saying: Buy Once, Cry Once = $650

So what are you getting for $300, pot metal made in China?

 

[JT1]

Dynatrac, I was a dealer for them and I got to be after I sent in a pic of my Jeep with them installed. So they made me a dealer and yes they are the King of Axles. THe offroad is his side business. He is a supplier to To various companies that make custom off-road rigs...not ours, but rigs for expeditions around the world and is a supplier to FOMOCO.

I never had to replace my Ball joints over right at 100k miles. I did replace my Wheel bearings once, but that driving thru rivers n such....

Old saying: Buy Once, Cry Once = $650

So what are you getting for $300, pot metal made in China?

I'm not sure you can call synergy a fly by nighter either.. but why pay for a "benefit" that isn't beneficial?

I get what you are saying, and if dynatrac made a ball joint that wasn't rebuildable in place, they would be at the top of my list.

 

[word302]

I'm not sure you can call synergy a fly by nighter either.. but why pay for a "benefit" that isn't beneficial?

I get what you are saying, and if dynatrac made a ball joint that wasn't rebuildable in place, they would be at the top of my list.

Why would that be a benefit? When you pull them/press in new ones you do damage to the interference fit of the inner Cs, which can’t be replaced without cutting/welding in new ones. The less you disturb those bores the better.

 

[JT1]

Why would that be a benefit? When you pull them/press in new ones you do damage to the interference fit of the inner Cs, which can’t be replaced without cutting/welding in new ones. The less you disturb those bores the better.

That would be correct if I didn't plan on replacing this thing either when the pentastar goes away or when the JMs come out.

Mine is nearly three years old and I am about to roll 20k miles. I don't drive it enough where the rebuildable aspect is a benefit. I won't have this thing for 40k more miles.

 

[Old Jeeper]

I'm not sure you can call synergy a fly by nighter either.. but why pay for a "benefit" that isn't beneficial?

I get what you are saying, and if dynatrac made a ball joint that wasn't rebuildable in place, they would be at the top of my list.

I did not say Synergy was a fly by night, nor Teralflex...Tf was my first lift kit I ever bought, they go back a LONG time.

My next lift was a custom build and included the Dynatrac ProRocks. Sadly I wore to the Tf in less than a year.

 

[JT1]

I did not say Synergy was a fly by night, nor Teralflex...Tf was my first lift kit I ever bought, they go back a LONG time.

My next lift was a custom build and included the Dynatrac ProRocks. Sadly I wore to the Tf in less than a year.

You asked what I was getting for $300. Synergy, Teraflex and Apex all make a non rebuildable balljoint for about $300.

So, I can replace synergy ball joints three times and still break even vs buying the dynatracs and 2 rebuild kits.

The unit bearings and outer stubs still have to come off to rebuild the dynatracs, so not a massive savings in work either.

 

[Old Jeeper]

You asked what I was getting for $300. Synergy, Teraflex and Apex all make a non rebuildable balljoint for about $300.

So, I can replace synergy ball joints three times and still break even vs buying the dynatracs and 2 rebuild kits.

The unit bearings and outer stubs still have to come off to rebuild the dynatracs, so not a massive savings in work either.

The question is my friend: Will they last 100k miles of HARD wheeling from Texas to Cali, Utah to Mexico and everywhere in between...I am retired and told my wife I was going wheeling and I did for the next almost 10 years all over the SW US and Mexico, that was my"job" wheeling, so I never needed to replace them...I build Jeeps and I built them to work and last.

My lift lasted 10 years...

My motto: Built to get you there;
ENGINEERED to get you back

 

[c20040215]

That would be correct if I didn't plan on replacing this thing either when the pentastar goes away or when the JMs come out.

Mine is nearly three years old and I am about to roll 20k miles. I don't drive it enough where the rebuildable aspect is a benefit. I won't have this thing for 40k more miles.

For that, Teraflex, Synergy, or Dana ones would do just fine. Not everyone need the best of the best. In fact, they are good enough for majority of the people.

 

[JT1]

For that, Teraflex, Synergy, or Dana ones would do just fine. Not everyone need the best of the best. In fact, they are good enough for majority of the people.

Thanks. Any of those have to be better than the OE ones (that are done after 20k miles)

Mine was one of the lucky ones that was delivered with both lowers severely undertorqued. I didn't catch it for about 400 miles, and I think it smoked them.

 

[tecnic1]

No issues with the zerk layout on the teraflex joints? Saw someone smashed the ports during install, and Murphy's Law is a thing.

The zerk layout on the Teraflex joints is dookie. I definitely smashed one during install, and I have no idea how.

 

[Jeepin_OLB]

So, I can replace synergy ball joints three times and still break even vs buying the dynatracs and 2 rebuild kits.

Have you replaced ball joints before? It kinda sucks. Plus new ball joints can be stiff and make your Jeep drive terrible until they get "broken in." Going with the highest quality ball joints is a wise decision. Double the upfront cost is worth double the effort IMO.

That said, I had teraflex on my JK and they seemed pretty good. Although I had one lower that seemed to loosen up after wheeling and I'd have to tighten it on a regular basis. Not sure why it would do that with the set screws tight.

I'm also on stock ball joints and 37s. My plan is dynatrac, but teraflex would be my budget option.

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