(Upper) ball joint replacement
#1
08-09-2009, 01:36 PM
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(Upper) ball joint replacement
I have been searching for information but so far have not been successful. As it is making enough noise and feeling like it want to leave the car; I think it is hight time that we work on the front suspension in my friend's 99 Durango. So, we want to replace the upper ball joints . We did the left one but it seems the right one is a bit harder to get than the left one; we do not seem to have as much space on the top to get to it. Is there a better way?
How about the lower ball joints? how often do they go bad and how hard is it to replace them?
Suspension-wise what are the differences between this Durango and, say, that in a 2005 Ram 1500? I saw one of those trucks in the yard and was wondering if we could use any of its parts. For instance, I thought if the A-Arms are the same, we could yank them, change ball joints without having the vehicle down, and then swap them on the weekend? Of course, it may be the suspension is not interchangeable at all.
How about the lower ball joints? how often do they go bad and how hard is it to replace them?
Suspension-wise what are the differences between this Durango and, say, that in a 2005 Ram 1500? I saw one of those trucks in the yard and was wondering if we could use any of its parts. For instance, I thought if the A-Arms are the same, we could yank them, change ball joints without having the vehicle down, and then swap them on the weekend? Of course, it may be the suspension is not interchangeable at all.
#2
08-09-2009, 02:12 PM
All Star
First the upper should be about the to remove and replace on both sides. very easy install
http://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/~grant/Ba...eplacement.pdf
Yours may not have studs that you need to grind off, may have bolts you need to remove.
Lowrr ball joints seem to be going bad somewhere between 75,000-100,000 miles (can last longer depending on driving style)and are much more of a pain to replace, they are pressed in. Use only quality OEM (dealer) or Moog replacement parts or you will be doing them over very soon.
You need a ball joint tool that you can get a loaner tool from a store like autozone (deposit and u get it back when you bring the tool back)
looks like this
Here is a thread that may help
No a ram (2005) a arm(control arm) will not fit... just do a ebay search and see what years parts fit.
This will give you an ideal of what parts will fit what year.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-Do...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/03-Do...QQcmdZViewItem
http://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/~grant/Ba...eplacement.pdf
Yours may not have studs that you need to grind off, may have bolts you need to remove.
Lowrr ball joints seem to be going bad somewhere between 75,000-100,000 miles (can last longer depending on driving style)and are much more of a pain to replace, they are pressed in. Use only quality OEM (dealer) or Moog replacement parts or you will be doing them over very soon.
You need a ball joint tool that you can get a loaner tool from a store like autozone (deposit and u get it back when you bring the tool back)
looks like this
Here is a thread that may help
No a ram (2005) a arm(control arm) will not fit... just do a ebay search and see what years parts fit.
This will give you an ideal of what parts will fit what year.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-Do...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/03-Do...QQcmdZViewItem
#4
08-09-2009, 08:38 PM
All Star
#6
05-01-2010, 06:11 PM
Hall Of Fame
You need to post in the 1st generation Dakota section: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-dakota-66/
