Anyone do upper/lower ball joints on 04+ Dodge Ram?

How hard is this going to be? Is there anything you can tell me now to prevent surprises later?

I just bought all the parts. MOOG brand. Apparently, the upper ball was poorly designed by Dodge and MOOG improved the design in their part, but you have to buy the entire upper control arm making it a bit more expensive.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Never done them on a Dodge. Just did all 4 on my 2003 Super-Duty 4x4. Hope yours is easier.

 

never done one scott good luck

 

2 wheel drive correct?

 

I have a fear of mine poping out Scott. It looks easy just have to take note of the position for alignment purposes. I figure I will make scribe marks before taking anything apart. Mines a 4x4 but I am thinking it should be about the same in design.

 

2 wheel. I plan on measuring the tie-rods and getting it as close as possible, then driving straight to get it alligned.

Just wanted to make sure there will be no surprises before I get to tearing it down.

I hate to think about getting 2/3 the way into it and getting stuck.

 

Pull the wheels off...rotors(not necessary but makes the assembly lighter) jost pop the tie rod end off the knuckle (wont hurt alignment this way)Remove the bolts on the ball joints...knock em loose...pull knuckle off toss on ground and curse it.Pull upper A arm...(since your replacing it)shouldnt be any adjustment shims on it.If there are...remember how many went where.Install new components...Re-assemble.Get an alignment any ways...(new parts ya know)something will be out of spec.Just alot of knuckle busting Scott and assemby/disasembly.Have fun!!!!

 

Cool, sounds like no surprises.

 

I only ask because this is my daily drive, and I don't trust the maverick right now as a backup, with the 100 miles I drive a day.

Don't want to end up stranded until a 2 dollar part gets ordered and I can get the truck back together again...

 

Should go smoothly...not much there to break...screw up.Stubborne fasteners will be the biggest hurdle and since your cars dont rot in Texas like they do here...you should be fine.

 

I don't see the need to remove the tie rods. Just support the suspension.

 

I need to replace at least one of the tie rods, so I am swapping out both.

All the joints are shot...

 

Dont have too...just make handeling the spindles a bit simpler...

 

Guess I skiped over that... I want to say that the upper bj is pinched not taper seated. It may still need a slight beating but not like the older style. The scribes i'm doing is where it's bolted at the frame (2).

 

I would rather use it as an extra hand holding it steady, but that's me.