2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Ball Joint

[GQuigley]

I have 2001-1/2 2500 CTD Ram with 204,000 miles on it. It runs fine except I noticed every once in a while the steering will feel different. Not every time but once in a while like something is loose and I feel it through the steering wheel. I just had the oil changed and the mechanic said (drivers side) that the upper ball joint was bad, then he looked at the other side and said that it was also bad. He asked me some questions about how it drove and I said over all it was fine but it wasn't as good as it used to be. He then asked me more questions about the steering or did it do this or that and I said no but occasionally it would feel kind of loose like the steering wheel wasn't tight or something. He told me the upper ball joints were in bad shape but I could get away with it for awhile. I am going on a vacation soon towing a 5th wheel trailer and he said the trailer shouldn't make any difference because I don't have an abundance of money right now and if I could avoid spending it right now would be nice. He didn't think it would be a problem. To replace the upper and lower ball joints would be very expensive and if I could keep from spending it for about 2 or 3 month's would really help! What do you think.
Gary

 

[klcammie]

He told me the upper ball joints were in bad shape.
What is bad? The alignment shop said mine were so bad that he couldn't do the alignment, Yet I waited 6 months before doing mine. And still haven't done the left side.

 

[GQuigley]

The shop owner said as long as the it wasn't steering bad or jerking or anything like that to hold off until I got back from my vacation.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[SAndreasen]

A good greasing will help tighten em a lot to

 

[S.Morris]

I am of the mindset that anything you can do to prevent an issue on the road outside of your home territory and contacts should be done when travelling. ESPECIALLY if there is a known problem. The cost to fix on the road will ALWAYS be more on the road, and can be two to three times more depending on circumstances.

In the case of your balljoints, if your mechanic is a good and trusted opinion (which it sounds to be) and your mileage is not TOO far , I might chance it if funds are tight, but be aware of the potential higher costs .

 

[GQuigley]

Thanks. I am going to have the joints greased as suggested and have Don check it once again.
Gary

 

[samsonite01]

DOR. Dodge Off Road has lotts of nice products to fix up the steering on our trucks. I had the same problems you have. Put on one of ther track bars and it fixed alot of it. As far as the ball joints; fix them. The very last place in hell that you want loose ball joints is when towing a 5er! On vacation! I would fix before leaving! Get some napa premiums and have les shwab toss em in. I tow heavy loads often (dump trailer, car trailer, equipment) and have had some close calls when steering was loose. Handling caracteristics of a truck change quite a bit when hooked up to 8 or 10thousand lbs. I replaced uppers, lowers, added track bar, added box brace, and a couple tie rod ends( pretty much everything). I had to relearn how to drive the truck! Could belive how much more managable towing was.

 

[JMcCoy]

I would not be too concerned if your mechanic isn't. Ball joints rarely just fail out of nowhere. There is a progression. Besides, 2000-present trucks carry 100% of the load on the lower ball joints. The uppers just keep the knuckle/wheel upright. That said, I would still feel better with new ball joints.

 

[SAndreasen]

Have you checked the track bar and tie rod ends ? Unless the ball joints are
really bad I would suggest checking some other things first . The shops like to get ya in oh the ball joints are bad you take it back oh now it's the tie rods then it's the track bar then it's the
steering box then it's the blinker fluid and then the muffler bearings races and seals and all this for only about 700$ bucks a shot