There was a point in time where all ball joints in pickup trucks were equipped with grease fittings that allowed Ram owners to lubricate them and help them last for years. Unfortunately, the cost cutting bean counters who have been at fault for so many problems in the automotive world decided at some point that sealed, non-greasable ball joints were the way to go and since then, ball joints have become a product that wears out without any possible recourse from the owner shy of replacing the problematic component. When a ball joint fails, it can literally cause the wheel to pull away from the vehicle…and that sucks.
Fortunately, when the ball joints begin to creak and groan due to the insides having gotten dry, someone with a decent selection of tools, some spare time on the weekend and a big jug of elbow grease can save themselves a pretty penny by replacing the ball joints in their garage at home. Even better, one of our members has put together a great DIY of how to replace the ball joints in your Ram right down to the tools needed and the part numbers (part numbers for specific applications will vary). There is even an explanation of what to look for to spot problematic ball joints so if you think that your Ram’s ball joints are going south, check out this DIY by clicking here!
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
