Archived ball joint repair

[TGaines]

Can the upper and lower ball joints on a 96 3500 be replaced without replacing the upper and lower control arms. The truck is a 2wd if that matters. The dealership says that the control arm must be replaced, but I have my doubts. Any info would help.



Thanks,

Travis

 

[jlhartak]

I can't believe you have to replace the control arms! Call an independent front end shop or another DC dealer and check with them. I am not familiar with 2WD Dodges but I have never seen a vehicle that required the control arm be replace to change the ball joints?!

 

[parcher]

I can't believe you have to replace the control arms! Call

an independent front end shop or another DC dealer and

check with them. I am not familiar with 2WD Dodges but

I have never seen a vehicle that required the control arm

be replace to change the ball joints?!





I HAVE! Dodge Durango for example

 

[Bill Lins]

Originally posted by jlhartak

I have never seen a vehicle that required the control arm be replace to change the ball joints?!

My kid's Mitsubishi Eclipse (think it's a '93)- the ball joint has a flange that is continously welded to the lower control arm- quoted about $300/side.

 

[jrollins]

i think MOOG sells replacement ball joints for 96, i believe 98 is the cut off, most every auto parts house should be able to get that brand.

 

[rkressg]

I have not done a 2x4 but if they are like any other dodge product, you just need the ball joint tool ($300) from OTC or remove the A-arm and press out the ball with a 20 ton press. Even if they are welded in, you could grind out the weld and remove the ball joint, as long as you can get the replacement balls :-laf

 

[mschoenheider]

I have replaced my upper control arm ball joints without replacing the control arm. Checker has the ball joint. You will need a press to do the job, but is is pretty easy. I do not know about the lower control arm ball joint.

Mark

 

[JNailor]

ball jints

The 3500 2WD uses an axle setup similar to the 4WD except with a "dead'" axle tube. Not like a 2500 which I have. I changed mine with the arms still on the truck.



There are no control arms on the 3500.

 

[mgerald]

I also have 3500 with 17400 mi. I have had both upper @ lowers replaced without replacing control arms

 

[jeff95]

Just replace both upper and lower ball joints in my 95 2500 2wd. I bought moog ball joints and had a local machine shop remove the old ones and press in new ones. They also pulled and replaces the bushings from the upper and lower control arms. They charged $35 labor per control arm.

I hope that helps.

Jeff