1995 ram 4x4, 3" lift

I was hearing noises from the front and jacked it up and found my wheel very loose, and discovered the pressed-in part of the passenger's upper ball joint had popped out, it was just kind of rattling around in the bore.

I installed a new joint, left the bottom one in as it looked good, most suspension parts on this truck look like they have been recently replaced. Problem is, I was not able to get the new one to press in all the way, there is a very small gap like the thickness of a razor blade, and the ball joint press was bending and seems about to break. I had to give up and put it all back together as I need to drive the truck... I haven't yet other than to move it out of the garage.

Do you think it will be OK or should I pull it all apart again and try to get it pressed in all the way?

 

Is it hitting somewhere? Binding on something? Does it at least go in tight??

 

It's in tight for sure, don't think it's hitting anything. if it's binding I guess it could be rust, there was a little on the inside of the bore the ball joint went into (I think it had been popped out for a while), I figured leave the rust on as it would make it tight and maybe rust into place But if it's a bad idea I could take things apart again (or just drive it and see how it goes)

 

Are the joints just pressed in? Or is there a clip of some sort that holds them in place?

 

These are from our 95. It looks like the top joint is pressed into the axle from the bottom. I think the weight of the vehicle is holding it in. I wish I had a better picture of the ball joint.I'd say you could drive it. It's up to you though.