An average person can replace the ball joints on a Dodge Ram 1500 truck in about two hours. You can take care of this project in your driveway, eliminating the need of taking the truck to a repair garage. The only ball joints that you can change on the Dodge are the lower ones. If the upper ball joints need replacing, you must replace the entire control arm. The truck in this instance is the two-wheel drive pickup truck, but the procedure is the mostly the same, with just minor differences, on other models.
Instructions
- 1
Place a set of wheel chocks behind the rear wheels of the Dodge Ram. Lift the side of the truck that needs the new ball joint using the automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the truck near the jacking point and raise it to the frame of the vehicle. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel with the lug wrench and take the wheel off the truck.
2Remove the cotter pin from the tie rod using a pair of pliers. Remove the castellated nut from the tie rod end using a socket and ratchet. Tap the tie rod with a small hammer to separate it from the wheel knuckle. Loosen the retaining pins on the brake caliper using a socket and ratchet.
3Secure the caliper to the strut using a wire tie. Do not allow the caliper to hang by the brake hose or you will damage the hose. Remove the brake rotor from the wheel assembly by pulling it off. Support the lower control arm using a jack stand. Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint using a pair of pliers.
4Remove the nut from the ball joint using a socket and ratchet. Connect the threaded part of the ball joint tool to the ball joint and apply force to separate it from the control arm. Press a new ball joint into the control arm using the ball joint tool. Place a seal on the new ball joint and press it with a socket until you force the lip to seal to the ball joint.
5Insert the ball joint into the wheel knuckle. Install the retaining nut and torque to 135 foot-pounds for the 11/16-inch bolt, 175 foot-pounds for the 3/4-inch bolt. Install the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Install the nut to the tie rod and tighten it with a socket and ratchet. Install a new cotter pin to the tie rod end and the ball joint.
6Spread the cotter pins open with a pair of pliers. Install the brake rotor on the wheel assembly. Place the brake caliper into the mounting cradle and tighten the retaining pins using a socket and ratchet. Place the wheel on the Ram truck and tighten the lug nuts using the lug wrench. Remove the jack stands from under the truck. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Repeat the procedure if necessary on the other wheel.
