well i have to do my ball joints next weekend (fun..fun), so i went out and bought new upper and lower moog jb, and tools that i didn't have.. so my quesntion. is does it look like i got all the weird tools i need, i have alot of tools-,just didn't the new press kit... so take a look and see and tell me what you guy think..... all input would be great!!!

 

(i did do alot of sreaching)but any tips on doing the ball joint would be great also!!

 

Make sure you use the offset cup, they are not just straight in and out., and you don't need the coil spring compressor,and if you did you need two of them.

 

oh .my truck is two wheel drive and thats why i can't find much about it.

 

I thought the Harbor Frieght ball joint press didn't have the right size things for the Ram's? Or am I wrong? I thought you were better off renting one from Autozone or Advance Auto. I forgot which but remember one had one that worked and one had one like Harbor Frieght that didn't have the right stuff.

That being said I have the Harbor Frieght ball joint press I've just never tried to use it on the Ram.

 

with all my sreaching i found that Advance Auto had the correct cups and press.

 

I rented the tool from Autozone and the cups were either too tall or too short. So, I went to my neighbor, who has a small machine shop in his outbuilding, and he made one for me from some scrap pipe.

Other than that, dodgeram07 looks like he's in business. Ball joints are a PITA on the first go, but after that the learning curve has been crossed and the second one is easier.

 

yeah also you don't need the pickle fork....hitting the side of the spindle will cause a shock and break the taper....a pickle fork is normally frowned upon because there is too much force applied for a period of time which takes life out of the taper

 

It will also most likely damage the rubber boot.

 

If you are replacing the ball joints anyway why would that matter? You don't use it when putting them on. I used it on the Chevy when I did ball joints and used one on a old Ram50 to get the idler arm off. IMO they are a good tool to have. I've not had the most luck beating on stuff but that thing usually gets them apart fairly easily. I've had a few that were stubborn and took a lot of beating with even a pickle fork.