Upper ball joints on 2WD

[PLohr]

If you have to replace the upper ball joints (actually the entire control arm) on your 2WD 3rd generation truck, check the ball joint boots on your new upper control arms for binding. I'm sure you know to have a buddy turn the steering while you check that the boots slide on the ball joint stud (rather than get twisted up).



I purchased and installed a set of upper control arms from Mevotech about two years ago. On one of the control arms, the boot would not rotate against the ball joint stud. This one boot tore within the first few miles of driving. Mevotech replaced this control arm right away. Last week I realized the other boot is torn and the ball joint is worn out.



The Mevotech part number is MK7462. If you get Moog, their part number is K7462. I assume both of these part numbers are made by one of these companies. Don't know who makes these upper control arms.



Napa has Moog control arms for $186 each. That's a good bit more than what's available online. But Napa does have a limited lifetime warranty.



Paul Lohr

 

[p-Bar]

Why didn't you press the ball joints out and press new ones in instead of buying complete units??

 

[JLandry]

On the second gen 2wd trucks, the OEM ball joints are riveted to the control ams. The rivets can be drilled and knocked out with a punch releasing the ball joints. Moog manufactures replacement greasable ball joints which bolt back in place of he originals without the need to replace the control arms.

I did my truck and it wasn't too difficult... other than bing time consuming to drill and punch out all the rivets.

Are third gen 2wd trucks the same (riveted)?

John L.

 

[Bill Stockard]

On the second gen 2wd trucks, the OEM ball joints are riveted to the control ams. The rivets can be drilled and knocked out with a punch releasing the ball joints. Moog manufactures replacement greasable ball joints which bolt back in place of he originals without the need to replace the control arms.



I did my truck and it wasn't too difficult... other than bing time consuming to drill and punch out all the rivets.



Are third gen 2wd trucks the same (riveted)?



John L.

No rivets as in a 2nd gen truck. They appear to be a press fit in an aluminum control arm. When attending the TDR Roundup and Rally in late August 2002 when the '03s were introduced, Dodge had a chassis of the new trucks on display. I noticed the change on the control arm/ball joints and asked a Dodge service rep about replacement. He told me the control arm assembly (including the ball joint) is used for replacement meaning the ball joint isn't serviced separately.



Bill