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Author | Topic: Lower ball joints? |
phipplet From:Friendswood, Tx, USA |
posted 08-01-2024 03:24 PM
Hello, I was recently concerned about my lower ball joint replacement on my 99 Prowler. I see a lot of people purchasing them here online. I don’t understand this? It’s a recall! Just last week I called my local Chrysler dealer to inquire about the recall. After 25 years, They promptly ordered the parts and will be replacing them next Monday. Why are people paying for something that Chrysler will fix for free? Just curious? This message has been edited by phipplet on 08-01-2024 at 03:25 PM |
WildCat POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Oldest kid in the neighborhood..... East side Indy, Indiana, USA |
posted 08-01-2024 05:27 PM
The recall ball joints have also failed. My recall ball joints were ok but now have Rare Parts greasable lower ball joints My 2001 has recall ball joints & plan on replacing with Rare Parts…… IMO cheaper to replace with better quality than have one break & damage or total the car |
ed monahan POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Cincinnati, Oh, USA |
posted 08-01-2024 06:32 PM
The dealer has to submit the VIN to see if it was already done. They told me mine hqd been done, but wasn't. Other dealers just pick a random number to fix a good customer's car for a second time, apparently. Makes you wonder why one has to be done twice, doesn't it. That happened to several other local owners, by the way. My car was the test mule for Rare Parts ball joints. You can use the search button on upper right and just put in Ball joints to get a ton of info. |
phipplet From:Friendswood, Tx, USA |
posted 08-02-2024 05:58 AM
quote: Hmmmmm? I respectively disagree.I don’t believe Chrysler is going to put an inferior replacemnt part on their vehicles. The liability would be horrendous! Their R&D is so much bigger than any private company. I just think someone is gaming the system to sell a balljoint. It’s not rocket science! It’s a balljoint! I will trust the company that created the vehicle over a private company anyday. Just my two cents! This message has been edited by phipplet on 08-02-2024 at 06:13 AM |
tbonelynch POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Fayetteville, GA, usa |
posted 08-02-2024 07:16 AM
This is from RareParts website. Sorry I can't find it, but I saw the video of the test when they used the machine to pull both of them from their sockets. This is what happens to the lower ball joint on a Prowler. Look at how it sits in the car and how the upper ball joint is being pushed into the cup and the lower ball joint is being pulled out of the cup. Most cars have both upper and lower ball joints pointing down. This is what makes the LBJ so critical on the Prowler. The more you understand this RECALL, the more you will want to install the best part available. I don't know your background, but every mechanic I know will testify that many aftermarket parts will outperform OEM parts. I said MANY, not ALL. I still buy certain OEM parts, even when they cost a lot more. |
BeWare POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Acworth , Georgia , USA |
posted 08-02-2024 08:28 PM
From my post in 2021. We had the recall done in 2003. I’m guessing the car had around 10,000 miles on it. Maybe a little more. It now has just shy of 47,400 miles. I just had the balls joints replaced with ones I purchased from Rare Parts. So glad I did. The boots on both ball joints were split completely open. There was some grease left but not much. Here are pictures They had to cut one off to avoid damaging either the knuckle or lower control arm. While the ball joints had yet to fail it appears to me it would have just been a master of time. This message has been edited by BeWare on 08-02-2024 at 08:33 PM |
BeWare POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Acworth , Georgia , USA |
posted 08-03-2024 09:53 AM
One problem with the OEM lower ball joints and even the recall replacements is they don’t have a grease fitting. So the is no way to replenish the grease. they are not designed so that you can add one either. So the boots dry out , rot and break. This allows moisture to get in the ball joints. The Rare Parts ball joints do have a grease fitting. From that standpoint alone the Rare Parts are a superior design. JMO. This message has been edited by BeWare on 08-03-2024 at 09:55 AM |
phipplet From:Friendswood, Tx, USA |
posted 08-04-2024 11:51 PM
quote: They are ball joints! nothing more. Everyone is over-thinking them! And they are free from Chrysler. You can’t justify this! Just saying. It’s not a performance car. Was never intended to be. Millions of cars produced don’t have grease fitting balljoints and they are just fine. But spend your hard earned dollars however you want! It’s a balljoint people! And again, it’s free from the manufacturer who created the vehicle. My 2024 Ford Raptor doesn’t have nipple grease fitting ball joints. I guess they’re going to break? Come to think of it, my Viper doesn’t have them either. Weird? This message has been edited by phipplet on 08-05-2024 at 12:05 AM |
ClayD From:Bennett, CO, US |
posted 08-05-2024 01:16 AM
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ed monahan POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Cincinnati, Oh, USA |
posted 08-05-2024 04:30 AM
I guess the folks who had their ball joints break as they turned into a driveway at 10 MPH are over thinking it and obviously Chrysler is over thinking it if they agreed to replace EVERY lower ball joint on a Prowler. If they fail at low speeds the collateral damage isn't that expensive, PROBABLY. Get it towed on your dime and then file a claim with Chrysler and see if they will pay for the damage and the tow job since you didn't bother with the re-call. Most corporations realize you have been busy. |
ed monahan POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Cincinnati, Oh, USA |
posted 08-05-2024 04:34 AM
I THINK the geometry of the suspension might have something to do with the failures, also. I don't KNOW that for a fact, just that Chrysler realized there was a problem waaay back when. This message has been edited by ed monahan on 08-05-2024 at 04:45 AM |
Tomcal POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Long Island, NY, USA |
posted 08-05-2024 02:38 PM
quote: Hey, it was just an O-ring on the Challenger, nothing more. Don't over think it. It's an O-ring people. |
Tchootch POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Brandon Twp, MI, USA |
posted 08-05-2024 04:32 PM
Manufacturers issue recalls when the original parts are defective. It happens, mistakes are made. If the replacement parts are not re-designed to eradicate the failure, then it will happen again. The first replacements were free, under a recall. If your car was serviced under the recall, no more free replacements will be supplied. If the recall wasn't performed on your car I seriously doubt if any parts, free or for sale, will be available from Chrysler 20 some years after the recall. As for Chrysler's R&D budget, these ball joints are purchased from a supplier. Chrysler does not make ball joints. Any R&D would be carried out by the supplier. Sure Chrysler would most likely have tested these ball joints to a simulated life of typically 10 years of use, but it seems like errors may have been made. As an ex Chrysler engineer (thankfully not in suspension) I would not be too quick to ignore owners experience. You say the dealer has ordered parts. It will be interesting to see if they turn up. |
Tomcal POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Long Island, NY, USA |
posted 08-05-2024 08:12 PM
Members on this site have reported replacement lower ball joints installed by dealers under recall, have experienced torn rubber boots. Conclusion: Recall replacement ball joints are no better than original no matter what Chrysler/ DC/ FCA / Stellantis says. Some Chrysler online parts sites show lower replacement ball joint is available (part #CBBTC030). But, may or may not be available when you actually place order. eBay has a few for sale. Note: Replacement lower ball joint from Chrysler were/are delivered as a pair. Some unscrupulous folks maybe selling them singerly. Buyer beware. If someone really, really wants the Chrysler recall replacement ball joints (CBBTC030), I have a pair of brand new ones for sale. |
cdeluca99 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Naples, FL, USA |
posted 08-05-2024 08:22 PM
quote:
phipplet I understand your reasoning and it makes sense except that the Viper and the Raptor have never been called out for an issue with the lower joints to my knowledge. I hope it works out for you. This message has been edited by cdeluca99 on 09-11-2024 at 09:20 AM |
phipplet From:Friendswood, Tx, USA |
posted 08-06-2024 03:51 AM
quote:
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cdeluca99 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Naples, FL, USA |
posted 08-06-2024 05:44 AM
Could you post a pic, maybe a part number from your receipt at the dealership? Thanks.
quote: |
phipplet From:Friendswood, Tx, USA |
posted 08-07-2024 12:15 AM
quote: This is absolutley 100% false! As an engineer, there is nothing wrong with the Chrysler replacement ball joints! They have ZERK fittings! They comply with all NSTB standards! And yes! They did arrive and they replaced them within two days! I’ll say this all day long, the Prowler was never a PERFORMANCE vehicle! It was an experiment in aluminum technology! Stop pushing a fasle narrative about a stupid ball joint people. Chrysler pays for the recall! It’s FREE! |
ed monahan POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Cincinnati, Oh, USA |
posted 08-07-2024 05:38 AM
I was told mine was already done at the dealership. Not true, apparently some other dealership lied to get them. There is an X on the replacements. If you have grease fittings, something really odd has taken place in the past few years. |
Tchootch POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Brandon Twp, MI, USA |
posted 08-07-2024 12:07 PM
I don't quite understand why you keep insisting that the Prowler was never a PERFORMANCE vehicle. Does this mean you shouldn't expect quality components? It is common knowledge that it was a design exercise in Aluminum construction. That doesn't mean it's a substandard vehicle. Most cars and trucks are not 'performance' vehicles but their owners expect them to be reliable. |
Tomcal POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Long Island, NY, USA |
posted 08-07-2024 12:49 PM
quote: As has been mentioned by cdeluca99, can you please post pictures and part number/invoice of new recall ball joints installed on your car? If replacement part has changed, our Prowler community would gratefully like to be aware of it. BTW: NTSB does not set standards for ball joints. It's best known for investigating Aviation, Marine, Railroad and other infrastructure accidents. |
CAT-A-TONIC POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:santa clara, california, us |
posted 08-11-2024 12:25 PM
Never seen zerks on any of the replacement factory b-joints. As stated, there's nothing wrong with the ball joints. That is correct. BUT,..it's the way the suspension works that destroys the b-joints. The torn boot problem just hurries it along. |
Richnew41 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Wind Gap , PA, United States |
posted 08-15-2024 08:41 AM
I agree with Ed for at least in my case… I just purchased an 01’ and Chrysler has it listed as the recall completed (NOT)…. No X on the ball joint and you can tell it’s the original by the boot/color… I had the recall completed on my last Prowler in 2015 and the ball joint had an X after the number but still no Zerk… |
cdeluca99 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Naples, FL, USA |
posted 08-20-2024 03:38 PM
Still waiting on them pics brother? |
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