Alignment shop says replace upper ball joint I couldn t find any play whatsoever

[MacGyvers Mullet]

Hey all-

Went to take the car in for an alignment after I saw my rear inner tire fading more quickly than the outer portion. On the opposite wheel, which didn't have any odd wearing issues, the shop told me that the upper ball joint needs to be replaced before they could do an alignment. They brought me back into the shop and tried to show how the ball joint was moving. I couldn't see it move at all and mentioned that. They tried to move it again and I just said "I guess I see it moving a bit", just to get the party over and take the car home.

I tried my damnedest to get the ball joint to wiggle in the least bit and it wouldn't budge even 1mm in any direction. This was with the suspension both loaded and unloaded, moving the wheel in every direction with my hands and also using a pry bar to try to move it up and down. I also was using the instructions in the factory service manual. No popping or unwanted sounds. Rock solid and the castle nut has not loosened up either.

There is no shaking when driving and the ball joint boot is not broken or leaking. On ball joints I have replaced in the past, they have all had some sort of play.

Is this shop full of beans or are they seeing something on a viper ball joint that I am not aware of?

[daveg]

How many miles on the car? Did you jack it up on the LCA and grab the top of the tire and try and move it inward and outward? And put a bar underneath it and try and go up and down with the bar?

[Deucefour]

I'd say find another alignment shop. A lot of places will still do an alignment they just wont "Guarantee" it, if you have worn out parts that need replacing. But sounds like they were trying to get some $$$ out of ya.

[GTS Dean]

upper ball joints fail at around 1/3 the rate of lower ball joints. Find another shop.

[MacGyvers Mullet]

How many miles on the car? Did you jack it up on the LCA and grab the top of the tire and try and move it inward and outward? And put a bar underneath it and try and go up and down with the bar?

40K on the car. 96 GTS. And yes, I jacked up the LCA and tried to move it all around, with my hands and a bar underneath the tire. The shop just had the LCA hanging down and tried to move the upper ball joint.

I'd say find another alignment shop. A lot of places will still do an alignment they just wont "Guarantee" it, if you have worn out parts that need replacing. But sounds like they were trying to get some $$$ out of ya.

upper ball joints fail at around 1/3 the rate of lower ball joints. Find another shop.

I was also leaning towards another shop, but wanted to get your guys' opinions. Thank you for confirming what I was thinking.

[daveg]

Sounds like you check it correctly. I concur, find another shop!!!

[Geronimo]

I'd hate to see what the price would be for that con job lol

[MacGyvers Mullet]

I'd hate to see what the price would be for that con job lol

They quoted $650 for it. The quote went into the trash as soon as I got home.

[Dan Cragin]

Most likely its an alignment issue. Most play in the wheel at your mileage is the wheel bearing, which can be retorqued. The steering rack could have inner rod play as well. Which
will cause that tire wear.

[slitherv10]

Most likely its an alignment issue. Most play in the wheel at your mileage is the wheel bearing, which can be retorqued. The steering rack could have inner rod play as well. Which
will cause that tire wear.

I believe he said the rear inner tire. I don't think that would be a steering rack issue. It looks like its a toe issue. Too much toe and not enough camber. Not sure how you would adjust that on a Viper but i'm thinking alignment at a reputable shop. But what do I know

[Dan Cragin]

Sorry, I missed that. You might want to check the rear toe link for play. They often need to be replaced.

[98RedGTS]

Why the toe? He's stating it is just the inner portion of the tire which sounds like to much negative camber. Wouldn't toe feather the wear across the whole tire with the worst part being on the inside and being less visible the further towards the outside of the tire you go?

As for the ball joint - I agree with the rest. Highly unlikely that was the case. I know it's not a Viper but when I went to rebuild the suspension on my C4 Corvette the company I was working with actually talked me out of doing the upper ball joints as they say they rarely fail as most of the pressure is on the lower ones. Could happen, but not likely.

[Dan Cragin]

I was just commenting on the play in the rear wheel that was described. Most likely it is just an alignment issue. Make sure the shop that does the alignment has an inclometer or rear caster gauges, most laser alignment machines are not set up to do rear caster on a Viper. Hope this helps.

[MacGyvers Mullet]

I was just commenting on the play in the rear wheel that was described. Most likely it is just an alignment issue. Make sure the shop that does the alignment has an inclometer or rear caster gauges, most laser alignment machines are not set up to do rear caster on a Viper. Hope this helps.

Dan, that is helpful, thank you. I will find another reputable shop that has those capabilities.

[98RedGTS]

Since we are on the subject. Anyone have exp with one of these? Been thinking of getting one and some toe plates so that I can start doing my own alignments at home more accurately. I don't trust shops anymore to do it right.

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...81679/10002/-1