I just noticed today that i need to replace the passenger side upper ball-joint. It makes a creeking noise when driving, jacked it up and there is play on the top of the wheel, its just the upper that needs to be replaced. Because i am in high school with the gas prices and everything i was going to wait until i get some more money because graduation is coming up in about a month, so i will be getting money from that. How long can i wait to repair it until it gets too bad, you cannot feel anything when you are driving, just makes a creeking noise and when jacked up, the top of the tire rocks back maybe about, maybe, 1/8 - 1/4 of an inch. Also, i have lost my lug key and called the dealership and they said i need new lugs too, never asked the price, but is there somewhere else i can them for cheaper, also how will i get the lugs that are the key ones off if i do not have the key??? Also, do you think it will wear down my tire unevenly or abnormally if it is like this for about a month, maybe a little less.

Thanks

 

I know on the GMs you can get the locking lugnuts off with a 22mm 12 point socket [8D] There's probably a socket that will grip the ones for a Ram enough to remove them as well.

As for the balljoint, it should be okay for a month...depending on how much driving you do.

 

In reply to the previous post, the locking lugs i have are rounded and just have a somewhat star shaped pattern in the middle. And the driving i do is usually at the most 100-150 miles a week. Also, are there any tricks i should know about changing the upper ball joint, i already have the haynes and pavementsucks article?

Thanks

 

i had the same problem just a little more severe, and it completly ate up the ouside edge of my tires. and because that upperball joint went bad it caused my hub bearing to go bad too, very pricey to fix. so just be careful when you do drive it and make sure it doesnt get too bad before you fix it cause it can cause other problems

 

I had a problem with a car I bought one time the guy had lost the key to the lug locks. I called around to some of the tire shops and several of them had a tool for removing the locks. Thats what I would do if I were you. Worth chcking into anyway. Good luck and the truck should be fine for a month or so. Just do not try driving like it is a nascar truck around corners and you should be fine.