Dodge Durango 4wd cv joint replacement

my son has some noise in the right front wheel area as he turns right. i looked at the vehicle, and found the left top ball joint defective. however; the boots on the cv joints on both sides look good and steering joints look good. however, both wheels have some lateral movement when jacked up. i have replaced cv joints on a nissas maxima, but not on a
4wd vehicle. is there any way to tell if the cv joint itself is bad or if the bearing(if separate) is the culprit??

 

You can raise the wheels one at a time and check for play in the wheel bearings. Directly in line with the brake caliper, kick the tire a couple of times to shake loose the rotor from the brake pads.
Then hold the tire by the top and bottom and see if you have any play. Rotate the tire by quarter turns and check it at each quarter.

If you have any movement you have to determine where the play is coming from. Holding onto the top and bottom of the wheel in line with the hub will eliminate the steering components but you would have to watch for movement in the ball joint.

Usually it takes less pressure on the wheel to move the wheel bearing.

The lateral movement you're describing could be anywhere from the wheel bearing through the steering.

If you determine you have a bad wheel bearing on one side, I would advise to replace both at the same time. The same would apply to the ball joints.

Hope this helps,

Bob

 

You described ball joint wear, but never said if you have replaced it. The lateral movement sounds most likely tie rod ends. It is a common failure item. It is crucial that you replace any worn ball joint, tie rod end components as soon as possible. Total failure of these items can cause major damage to the vehicle as well as could cause a crash without warning.
Hope this helps ya,
Billy

 

Yep, been there, done that.

Ball joints alright. Same thing happened with my '80 Chevy LUV 4x4. Only 5000 miles were put on the truck since a total overhaul 6 years ago... Then after a 100 mile parts run and several complaints there after by my wife and a friend, that yes, it was steering like a shopping cart. (I can't drive anymore, so I had no way of knowing myself)

I jacked it up and sure enough... I could rock the wheels back and forth from top to bottom. I could also hear a nasty clunking sound, not good. So after considering the cost and rarety of Isuzu parts, including a brake caliper, rubber bushings, and a half shaft... I put a Dana 44 under it. (along with a whole Wagoneer chassis)

Ball joints and CV half shafts are why many wheelers are not fans of independant front suspensions. They fail. And I agree with the other replies.... replace them, now. Dodge did have a recall on them, so I would take the vehicle in before trying to fix it yourself. At least that way you have a warrantee, just in case.

Get this done and you won't be singing, "Fine time to leave me loose wheel."

 

thanks guys! i hauled the vehicle to my house and replaced both top ball joints. the cv joints seemed fine. i think the steering box has a little clearance but barely noticeable. it is "back on the road again". my son is happy and i am a little poorer! imagine that!!!

 

Kids happy - Dad broke. Yep, that's the way it works, Mike.