Why wouldn't it be under warranty - with only 25K on 07 ram? Do I even have a chance for dealer to make this fix?

 

Fair wear and tear comes to mind, when I here stuff like this.
Stealerships always seem to mention this.

Can anyone explain please for a suspension novice, how to check all this stuff using a crow bar as mentioned earlier in this thread?

Al.

 

abarmby, see my first post about how to check the ball joints with a crow bar... Once you've lifted the truck up under the control arms, you put the crow bar under the tire and lift... here's a thing from CarQuest that is a pretty good description. http://www.carquestchassistraining.c...balljoints.htm

 

Thanks SOS for the help.
Al.

 

aight, I know there is a thread somewhere on this, but since we're already on the subject...any tips on removing/replacing the lowers? Anything i should be ready for?

This is probably getting done outside when its about 20 degrees out, so i'm plannin on being ready for everything.

 

Yes balljoints are covered under the 3yr/36kmi. Ram 1500's have a known history of premature balljoint failuere. I would just go and have them check it out and that way, they will make a note of you going in for it, so if they are good and they go just after your warranty period, they will most likely still help you out.

Balljoint wear should be treated like brake pads. if there's any noise from your balljoints, get them fixed! Bad things can happen. Sure they can be worn and driven around like most people do for a while, but you never know when you make that turn or drive on the higheay and that tire gets ripped off. The balljoints are what holds the wheel assembly to the control arms!

 

I too will be doing this in crap weather, so great question.

 

So it turns out that your info proved highly valueable... After hoisting the truck as recommended, I got no play whatsoever vertically (thank god) but did get play and a slight knock when I shook the wheels horizontally.

So should I just get the OEM tie-rod bushings?

 

sorry to hack it, but im having a clunking grinding noise when i turn or hit a bump and after a little while of driving straight with slight turns, i jacked it up and shook the wheel it has alot of play both vertically and horizontally i thought they were the wheel bearing but i guess how would i know for sure if its bearing or ball joint becuase some people are saying my bearings will do that with the play too

 

Hey didn't everyone have a go at me when I said all my suspension and steering joints were worn out at 79k! Everyone said I must have been abusing my truck! Now here we have guys with 25k mile trucks complaining about the same thing but that's ok! Now in this thread it's a common problem? Go figure.