Hi everybody,

My '01 Dodge Ram 1500 Ouad Cab has developed a loud creaking which I believe is coming from the left balljoint (lower). My many years of experience tells me it is because it is out of factory grease. Seems to me a few years past one could buy a kit with zerk fittings and a drill bit, then install zerk grease fittings. Any input on this?

Thanks, George

 

i wouldnt, if its making noise, chances are its already shot, and the others arnt far behind, you can get new ball joint kits that are greasable of a reasonable price, then you wont have to worry about the dredded "death wobble"

 

I agree with dodgetrucker.
If it is in the process of failing, greasing it now would be perhaps only putting off what will eventually need to be done.
If you suspect, or have confirmed, that 1 is failing, you need to bite the bullet and change all 4 - With grease fittings installed.

I did all 4 of my ball joints about a year ago, and have done a few sets this summer for family & friends.
People dread doing them, I kinda like them, not really all that hard.
Mostly just greasy grunt work, you could probably teach a monkey how to change em.
So long as you got a good press kit, good breaker bar, some lube and maybe a torch, they are not bad at all - But the main thing is the press kit, saves a world of trouble that you get when you try to improvise.

Most shops would charge close to $1,000 for doing them, thats crazy.
With the hydraulic lifts they got, air tools, press kits ect 2 guys can knock out all 4 in a couple of hours.
Usually the worse part of doing them is the little things, like stubborn cotter pins & crusted nuts.

 

..that made me laugh

 

Df after dark. lol. They do have a good point if one is shot you might as well pull them all and do it and get it done.

 

Yeah, I forgot ,,, The kitchen sink, too !
Actually I did forget something usually necessary - A good extension for that good breaker bar.