suspension ball joints

[EB]

This is my first post so bear with me. I have a 95 3500 with the independent front suspension. The bottom ball joints are spot welded in, the top are not. My local Dodge dealer says I must replace the whole lower suspension arm. How bout it, anyone cut the weld off and just replaced the ball joint or do I have to replace the whole arm. The truck has 278000+ miles on it. I'm a farmer and hotshot driver.

 

[illflem]

Welcome to the TDR!!If you can weld it yourself go for it,just do it in stages so you don't overheat the joint. If you have to pay for a weld it may be cheaper to buy the entire rod with joint from NAPA.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,BD E-brake,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

 

[Timinator]

http://www.ecpe.vt.edu/~dfritz/technical/TSB/00tsb_indx.htm
Go to the Front Suspension link. The number of the TSB is 02-04-96.

 

[EB]

Thanks Tim, guess I'll have to go the $$ route, was hoping to save about $450. Need the truck to much to take a chance on an accident.