2" RC Leveling Kit and Ball Joint Issues

SDSLEDHEAD · May 30, 2013

Last week I went in for a service and found out my ball joints are shot. For a second time. My truck is an 09 Sierra 1500 with a 2" RC level and 3" blocks in the rear, I have 285/70/17 rims/tires. All was installed around 13,000 miles, I had the first set of ball joints replaced at around 38,000 miles and just found out this set is shot at 54,000. The first time I had them replaced it was over $1000 I believe, I can't be spending that kind of money every 15-20k miles. Is anyone else having similar issues? Any solutions? I really don't want to pull the leveling kit, but I'm wondering if thats my only option?

AgDoctor · May 30, 2013

I replaced a set myself at about 36,000 miles on an 07. Not had any issues on my previous 10 or 11 models. I have 47,000 on current one and I beat it around cotton fields all day long and still OK I think. I have the RC kit too by the way.

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BruceDeuce · May 31, 2013

After installing the kit did you get the front end re aligned?

travishale84 · May 31, 2013

Buy the tools to replace them yourself. Have someone help you with the first swap. Definately a good way to save some coin

AgDoctor · May 31, 2013

Yeah you will need a realign because the upper control arms have to be replaced, not just the ball joint itself. I find it ridiculous GM puts such crap parts on a pickup.

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jarettg · June 4, 2013

I just had to replace my passenger side UCA as the upper ball joint was loose, about $300 with labour. My truck has 70,000 Kms and we have terrible pot holes in our "roads".

I noticed it was clunking on the passenger side. Add in a wheel allignment and good to go.

jerseydrew · June 10, 2013

what are the symptoms of the lose ball joint? i have had the RC level on my truck for almost 70k miles and and the truck has a total of 117k miles on it and still on the original BJ. i even run a plow on the truck in the winter.

AgDoctor · June 10, 2013

When you hot a bump and a clunk that you can feel through the body is when I noticed mine in the 07 900. When they put it on the lift they told me the spindle nearly fell off.

Another way to check is when you rotate tour tires, before loosening any lug nuts, pull back and forth slightly and feel for any play. Carefully not too hard as you could pull it off the jack and or stands. Of course this leaves the possibility of wheel bearing wear that could be discovered.

When one of my ball joints went the only reason I knew was the wheel bearing that wheel was on went out. Starting making a lot of noise and ate up a good Cooper mud tire.

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txab · June 10, 2013

Last week I went in for a service and found out my ball joints are shot. For a second time. My truck is an 09 Sierra 1500 with a 2" RC level and 3" blocks in the rear, I have 285/70/17 rims/tires. All was installed around 13,000 miles, I had the first set of ball joints replaced at around 38,000 miles and just found out this set is shot at 54,000. The first time I had them replaced it was over $1000 I believe, I can't be spending that kind of money every 15-20k miles. Is anyone else having similar issues? Any solutions? I really don't want to pull the leveling kit, but I'm wondering if thats my only option?

GM dealer did the work and used GM parts?

travishale84 · June 12, 2013

even though I have RC 3.5" junk kit, atleast when my upper ball joints went bad i could just buy new ball joints and a press tool. having to pay for an alignment and for a $60 part.

you see the problem is that GM doesnt want the consumer to "DIY"

scz71864 · June 12, 2013

does anyone make any aftermarket upgrade parts on the front end, other than the expensive cognito uppers?

SDSLEDHEAD · June 20, 2013

Yes I had a realignment done immediatly after I put the leveling kit in at 13,000 miles. I then took it in to have another alignment because it was pulling right pretty bad, and thats when they told me the balljoints were bad (the first set). They then put in the new ones and realigned, they SAID they put the new ones in, stupid me did not ask for the old parts. It wasn't done by a GM dealer, and wasn't done by the shop that normally does my work, I had it done while I was at school. My normal shop guys are wondering if they were even replaced or if I was just charged.

Rubicon500 · June 24, 2013

Rockauto sells Moog upper and lower control arms that already have new balljoints in them...

i think the uppers were about $80 each... lowers a bit more expensive

Much cheaper than buying from dealer, and much easier to install on your own

medik13 · July 9, 2013

Guys, call rough country and buy their upper Control Arms. Much cheaper than cognito or most and have replaceable Moog ball joints! Last set you'll need!