I noticed my right front tire was wearing a little unevenly so I took my truck in to get an alignment. After about 20 minutes, they came and got me and said they could not do the alignment because both upper and lower ball joints are bad on both sides.

The technician used a long pry bar to show me the play in the joints and I could see it move a little bit (he said the maximum play should be .030 inches). I was quoted $1400 to replace them, including a leaking steering gear box.

They said this was a common problem and they see it all the time.

This is on a 2005 Hemi Ram 2500 4/4 I bought new. It now has 36,000 miles on it and it certainly hasn't been abused or driven roughly.

Searching this forum did not reveal any other posts about bad ball joints so I am wondering if this really is a widespread problem or are they just trying to generate some revenue.

Thanks

I don't have a 4wd,but,I don't think that issue is a widespread problem. I could put a pry bar on something and make it move to. I think there trying to generate some revenue. Just in case-take it to the dealer if you still have some warranty time left.

quote:

I was quoted $1400 to replace them, including a leaking steering gear box.

never go back to that place.... that qualifies as pure robbery in my book. But, i always do my own service/maintenance work...

rockauto.com
Upper ball joints: MOOG Part # K7448 ($100.00 each, one per side, adjustable)
Lower ball joints: MOOG Part # K7467 ($65.00 each, one per side)

Thank you all for the advice. I believe I will take it back to the dealer and see what they have to say. If it turns out I do need new ball joints, is this something you could do "in the driveway" over a weekend? It looks like it might be a job that would require a fair amount of specialized tools but of course I don't know that for sure.

Thanks again.

quote:

Originally posted by hdt551:
Thank you all for the advice. I believe I will take it back to the dealer and see what they have to say. If it turns out I do need new ball joints, is this something you could do "in the driveway" over a weekend? It looks like it might be a job that would require a fair amount of specialized tools but of course I don't know that for sure.

Thanks again.

Yes and no.

The fact of whether you can or not is highly dependant on you and what tools you have.

You'll need a jack to lift the truck (obviously) and it will have to be a good one, that engine is heavy.

Other than that a simple array of metric wrenchs and ratchets. I know most of the ones you need are between 15 to 20 mm. The only big issue I can think of.. which I'm not sure of is that if you need to take the big nut off the axle in order to replace the lower joint.. in which you'd need a set of bigger sockets..

Really you just have to gauge your knowledge, and maybe ask around to see if you have and wrench-happy friends or family that could come help, if you get in over your head, you could have a mess.

Just so you know though, Dealers will stick you just as hard as auto-body shops will on repairs, don't buy mopar replacement parts either, inluss you have alot of extra money to blow.

I took my truck back to the dealer for an alignment and asked them to check the ball joints. Four hours later and $110 lighter, they said the ball joints are fine. I don't think there is any doubt the independent shop was trying to pull something.

Thanks to everyone for the advice and information.

It's ALWAYS good to see a member save some real money because of the help from other members here!



Pup

with you Pup!!

I haven't replaced too many on ram's but dakota and durango's eat ball joints... I have replaced some that the dealer said where fine yet they were ready to fall out of the truck.. so the dealer is not always right either.. But aslong as your truck is safe and drives straight its all good

quote:

I have replaced some that the dealer said where fine yet they were ready to fall out of the truck.. so the dealer is not always right either..

X2

ask around, see if there is a reputable shop that can check them out as well. Tell them your story.... another shop said all of them was out, and the dealer said nothing was wrong... too much of an extreme difference not to be looked into further.

I have had ball joints replaced on 2 low mileage 4x4 Rams, a 2006 around 24,000KMs and a 2007 some where near 40,000KMS. Both were within the warranty period. The 2007 also required a tie rod end. This was done at the dealer I bought them from new. At the time the dealer said the 2006's were common. The 2007 was pulling to the right and tires were wearing badly.

I was told that mine were bad today.but will take it to the dealer to see what they say thursday.will let you'all know.Oh and the tie rod at the pitman arm is bad too.It has up and down but no side to side.about 1/32 if that.

mine is an 06, with 82K miles... checked my ball joints a few weekends ago while doing a drop kit... they was all still in good shape. had even bought new ones before hand cause i was sure we was gonna need them. pleasantly surprised.

went to deal today they told me all is fine.did alinment drive a hell of a lot better.

i replaced my lower ball joints and tie rod ends today...it was much EASIER then I had envisioned..the only special tools i used were a ball joint press ($29.99 at harbor freight) and my air impact gun...I knew I needed to do this (155k miles on truck)cuz they couldn't align it. and it took right around 2 hours (only because we were guessing on some stuff)