I have an 03 QC Dakota 4.7. i believe i need to do ball joints. when going slow over bumps i can hear a slight clunk in the front end and the steering seems to be a little loose (drifts going down the highway) anybody know a ballpark price for the parts and if im going to need torches to do this, approx how long should it take to replace uppers and lowers? also, when hitting rough bridges and rr crossings i can hear a pretty loud squeek coming from the rear end, any ideas?

 

the parts arnt expensive, about 20-40 a joint depending on brand and id go with the good stuff trw/moog if i were you, i think you just have to drill out or grind off the rivits to get the ball joints out and bolt the new ones in. im getting ready to do my front end too, ball joints tie rods poly bushings and new wheel bearing hubs

 

how many miles do you have on your truck? I think most of these trucks had a recall on them for the upper balljoints, i had mine done at the dealership for free at about 80k on stock *****, tires would wobble, and the alignment ould constatly go out and coudnt be fixed, upper ball joints are whats covered. Read the thread below...


https://dodgeforum.com/m_119874/tm.htm

 

I have just over 70K on my truck. hopefully the uppers are recalled for my truck, then i'll only have to do the lowers.

 

ok, i have the new ball joints, went with the moog's. does anybody know how hard the lower press in bearings are going to be to get out and in? about how long should it take to do all 4? thanks in advance

 

i have an 03 with 29K on it. When i brake theres a clunking/ clicking vibrationin the steerring wheel too. Would this be the ball joints, front brakes or both!?

 

the uppers should not take long at all, when looking at mine, they are bolted in to the CA and all you have to do is unbolt them and use a pickle fork to spearate the knuckle form the joint. that shouldnt take long at all (famous last words). the lowers your best bet is to go to Autozone and rent (for free) a ball joint press tool... they will want you to buy the tool, then when your done bring it back and they will refund you the cost of it. I used this on a harmonic balancer tool I needed. works awesome.

 

ok, so i did the ball joints. it didnt help anything, i still have the clunking when i go over bumps real slow. i know the front shocks are going (bounces a little on the highway). does anybody think this may be my clunking noise?

 

its either the shocks or its the control arm bushings

 

did the shocks, rides much better but the squeek is still there. how difficult are control arm bushings? im betting the a arms have to come completely out so a shop should take this one right? is there a specific brand that is better for control arm bushings that i should look for? i would hate to put in the cheap stuff that i will end up replacing in a year. thanks