I have a 2002 ram 1500 slt 4x4 quad cab automatic 5.9L. Just bought it 3 days ago. now I find out it needs lower ball joints. Anyone familiar with changing them out. Local shop wants $400.

 

You can do it yourself if you have some hand tools. (though air tools make it easier...) You can borrow/rent a balljoint press from Advance Auto, Autozone, O'Reily's, etc. Takes a couple hours though.

If you are doing lowers, might just as well do uppers at the same time. Saves having to go back in there later..... not to mention the j-joints on the axle shafts, etc.....

 

no experience, but i've heard the loaner press from Advance is better than others.

and i'm not sure if this would work on our rams or not, but on my daughter's 4runner, i separated the tie rod ends, removed the whole knuckle, and took it to the machine shop and had them pressed out/in. saved a lot of hassle. i think they only charged $25 (or maybe 50) for the press work.

 

I have a 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 that I had to do the same thing. As said before, if your there doing the lower ball joints, it makes sense to do the uppers while your there. I suggest getting a Haynes book from a local auto parts store (It will walk you through how to do them.)

Its pretty easy to do, just time consuming. Air tools are a must in my opinion and stock up on Liquid Wrench too! You wil need it as they probably never have been done before. Do one side at a time as you will utilize referencing to the other side for parts placement.

Good luck and have fun!

Any furthur questions, let me know i will do my best to help you out. P.S. You will need to take everything down in order to do this. I.E. Axle, Steering Knuckle, Brake assembly...

 

Did mine about a year ago. While you have the front end apart, I would go ahead and do the following.

1. control arm bushings
2. sway bar bushings
3. lift/level donut (since you have to drop the lower control arm
4. new rotors (or have them turned)
5. new brake pads (if needed)