1 Year Review Ball Joint Deletes from American Iron! + How To Rebuild Them! Dana 30/44

Just over a year and more than 12,000 miles on my Ball Joint Delete system from American Iron Offroad. My experience with traditional ball joints was leaving a bad taste in my mouth and thank goodness I found a better solution vs changing out ball joints every 2 years. Not only do these perform amazing on my daily driver JKU on 40s, but also they are far stronger than any ball joint on the market. Over the last 12 months I have been to Sand Hollow twice (9 trails, all 7's 8's and 9's) The Rubicon Trail, Devil's Canyon, and the 33-mile long absolutely punishing Dusy Ershim trail. After all of that, these deletes were still in perfect condition.
In addition to my unbiased review I also ordered the rebuild kit since I have not yet seen any videos showing a rebuild. The original bearings were still in perfect working order and tight without play, which I expected since these are rated for at least 30,000 miles. I'm so excited for how easy it is to maintain these delete and rebuild them!
Balljoint Delete System for Jeep JK Dana 30/44:
americanironoffroad.com/produ...
Bearing Rebuild Kit for Jeep JK Dana 30/44:
americanironoffroad.com/produ...
Original Install Video: • How to install the Bal...
0:00 Introduction
1:23 NOT sponsored by American Iron
2:09 What application? Rig Details
3:14 How I Use My Jeep
3:47 Bearing Squeaks
5:19 Road Test and Results
7:00 Are They Strong Enough for OFF ROAD?
7:34 Rock Crawling Highlights!
10:30 How To Rebuild Your Deletes
15:37 Final Thoughts

[@S-R-G]

Cool! Thanks for sharing your experience, on the horizon for me in the next year or so.

[@Blubicon]

Of course! I have another long-term review coming up this Summer. Stay tuned!

[@S-R-G]

@@Blubicon Sweet! Lookin forward to it

[@StormbornJKU]

I installed the deletes on my ultimate Dana 44 a few months back and couldn’t possibly be happier with them. I had a slight break in period on mine, had some wandering for a few weeks, but once it worked itself together I’ve been solid! Absolutely one of the best products on the market overall and definitely number 1 in its category. Solid video!

[@Blubicon]

Thanks, I couldn’t agree more!

[@fourlowadventures3921]

Great video! My Jeep is nearly identical just red as far a my build. Tera 44 and all.

[@Blubicon]

Nice! It's a great axle =)

[@SuperDad1776]

Fantastic review! We’re an XJ family and would love to run D44’s with the delete kit. Mines gunna go on 42’s but we’re all about crawling low an slow and daily driving

[@Blubicon]

You will love them. SO happy I went with Deletes!

[@aaronwatson1567]

What was ur cost I want some for my xj and my daughter's...

[@Blubicon]

@@aaronwatson1567 They are $549 in the website linked in the video description.

[@jeff2932]

I thought i recognized that road!. I'm in Temecula every other month. I am in the process of pulling trigger on BJ deletes. thanks to your install video and this one. Im sold. thanks man!

[@Blubicon]

Right on! Thanks for the support =)

[@Sparky2]

Well if nothing else, I don't feel as bad about 38's on my JL D44's. Lol I'm certainly considering these deletes. Thanks for the video.

[@Blubicon]

Thanks for watching!

[@gdc5ind]

You need to check the joints on your left thumb. Maybe needs a ball joint delete.

[@Blubicon]

Haha I am double-jointed in my thumbs =)

[@aaronwatson1567]

Dose the set up come with uppers and I'll lowers for dana 30 ... And cost ?

[@Blubicon]

$549. Uppers and Lowers are included. americanironoffroad.com/collections/jeep-balljoint-deletes-1/products/jeep-wrangler-dana-44

[@gabrieldalcomune3044]

How often do you have to change them? The fact that they seem exposed seems like it would cause it to wear quicker no?

[@Blubicon]

They are not exposed. I removed the rubber seals (O Rings) and top washers before filming the replacement process for the bearings. I full breakdown and exploded diagram is available on the American Iron website here: americanironoffroad.com/collections/jeep-balljoint-deletes-1/products/jeep-wrangler-dana-44

[@Blubicon]

Not sure, I have never "had" to change them. Some reports from other users are more than 50K miles and still going strong.

[@gabrieldalcomune3044]

@@BlubiconOh that’s interesting thank you! You’ve also made it hard for me to decide on going with dynatrac balljoints or going for the deletes for my JL lol.

[@ryangarcia8634]

I hope you have a better cage inside your jeep other than factory. It's only a matter of time based on your highlight reel! Thanks for the video.

[@Blubicon]

Oh, don’t worry, this Jeep will always have at least two wheels on the ground. Lol.

[@kenskens69]

Nice, question so the bearing life is 1 year

[@Blubicon]

Far longer than that based on the data. After one year my original bearings were still working perfectly. At 10:39 in the video I explain that I am not changing the bearings because I have to. Only did it just to make this video =). So I am expecting to see quite a few more years before the bearing actually NEED to be replaced.

[@kenskens69]

@Blubicon thanks , I'm getting the kit for my buggy Build.thanks

[@JohnFunk406]

How do these effect camber with alignment

[@Blubicon]

There is no Camber alignment in a Jeep JK/JKU

[@fredbeiner2620]

How many miles one set will last?

[@Blubicon]

They have a 30K mile warranty but there are verified rigs with more than 50K miles still tight as new.

[@fredbeiner2620]

@@Blubicon nice! Yes I am tired of the adjustable ball joints. I think they are not good

[@craigkim5995]

How to you grease these?

[@Blubicon]

You only grease them upon installation. Apply grease to the space between the hole of the spherical and the inside edge of the cup. This is only to prevent water intrusion, not to lubricate the bearings.

[@yourangerfuelsme]

Nice video, Koala Man

[@Blubicon]

Thank you!

[@shonuffisthemaster]

im sure these are fine in sunny california for a daily, but i would not trust having no boots and no greasability in the rust belt

[@Blubicon]

Suit yourself man. They are protected with o-rings and delrin washers. But yeah the rust belt is a different animal.

[@yzmoto80]

Double jointed 😂 Almost as funny as “ ball joint delete” 😂

[@Blubicon]

Yup good eye!

[@JoseRodriguez-lg6mk]

But I thought you couldn't run 40's on a 44 and any mod to a 44 is a waste of money!!!!

[@Blubicon]

FAKE NEWS! 😁

[@GevoA1]

Well, depends on many factors and most importantly, how you drive. You can help reduce the chance of failure with lighter tires/wheels, appropriate offset and strengthening other parts. Ultimately, you will still be at a higher risk and braking performance will still suffer. Now, you can also upgrade the brakes but the issue is, after doing all of this, you've spent as much as an upgraded axle. This is the actual issue. If you can be careful driving, etc. you will extend your axles life, but there is no doubt, larger wheels, tires, increased scrub radius, etc has a degrading affect on components (including control arm frame brackets and driveline components) with increased wear. Not saying don't do it, just saying know actually what you're getting into so you know how to manage.

[@Blubicon]

@@GevoA1 All great points. I will NEVER say that 1 ton axles aren't stronger than 44s, or ultimately a better idea if you plan to wheel hard. My entire experiment is to show that you can run 40's on a D44 successfully IF you take all of the right precautions, including driving style. I want to debunk the myth that "Everyone who wants to run 40's NEEDS one ton axles." Need being the operative word.

[@GevoA1]

@@Blubicon well noted. My intention wasn't to state you were wrong, etc. I'm in agreement with you, just speaking to a wider audience who may be listening. Thank you for the great videos

[@Blubicon]

@@GevoA1 Thanks and I really appreciate the support =)