I have a 97 ram 1500 4x4 when I changed the ball joints the upper was welded. When I put the new one in you could tap it in with the palm of your hand. My father in law welded it in like the po had it. I still have to get it aligned but is this something that would be safe enough to put my kids in. Im not afraid of his weld he is an excellent welder but when he seen it he wants me to get another truck when I get the money which I plan on doing but that will be a while

 

You should be fine, you'd have to get some serious air for them to come out even if they were not welded. What brand did you use ? I have seen some cheaper brands that don't have the splines on them , like the oem bj's do.

 

They were cheap autozone ones the top ones didnt have splines( they actually started coming out on the mile and half drive to my father in laws house) but the bottoms did and the bottom ones stayed no problem

 

Thats most likely because the PO also used cheap parts (which is why he also had to weld them). A lot of people go the welding route. If it's correctly done, you'll be fine.

 

You can also look for oversize ball joints. Just had to do this with my Expedition. Pressed the old one out and the new one slid right in lol. The new Moog was .002 smaller in diameter than the old one. Moog made one that is .006 oversize so it should fit tight. If it doesn't then I'll probably weld it. Either that or go to the junkyard and grab another control arm.