I would like the thank everyone for their help on the gear selection question i had. Now my new question is on ball joints. I went to chrysler a couple of days ago and order the lower ball joint kit for my truck. it is 2wd and i wanted to know if any one out there has done lower ball joints. i know what i have to do but i think i got the wrong parts from chrysler. there are 4 rivets that hold the ball joint in place and from what i herd that the new kit comes with the new ball joints and the plate and some bolts that hold it in place, I asked a tech there on what to do and he said that i have to take the rivets out and then you put the new ball join with plate attached into the slot and hold it in with bolts that come with the package. now is what i said before correct or do these ball joints need to be pressed out and new ones pressed in. thank you for your help.

 

Yup, drill the old rivets out and the new ball joints will bolt in. They will still need to be pressed most likely. I doubt you wil be able to get them in or out

Or you could just get entirely new control arms w/ new balljoints already installed http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DODGE...lenotsupported

 

On my 03 they just press out. Then press back in. No drilling! I used Moog ball joints from Rock Auto.
Rock Auto lists the same part number for both 2002 and 2003. Here is the link http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...parttype,10070
Another link.https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...oint-help.html
Good luck

 

thank you guys for you help. Now my issue is that i am going to go back to chysler and see if they gave me the wrong parts, but do they still make the kit for ball joints with the plate to be bolted in or is it for sure that you have to press them out and press new one's in. cuz by what you guys have said is one saying pop the rivets and the other is say press. i just want to be sure before i do anything. thank you

 

Once you get things apart then you'll know what to do! maybe you should just have a garage do the work for you because it seems like you aren't sure how to even do it. There is alot involved FYI. Pressed in/out means Machine fit as all balljoints are. The bolted kind may have to have pressed in and bolted. This means, drill out the rivets, knock the balljoint out, press the new one in and bolt the sucker down. IDK? Never done joints on a dodge truck. Lots of Ferds and Cheby's but never a dodge.

You should be able to take one look at your current balljoints that are on your truck and know whether or not they need pop rivets drilled out. If you can't do that. You should not be working on balljoints. You will be working with an open control arm. That can be potentially dangerous. The spring is gonna wanna fly out if not supported properly...etc
You'll need an alignment afterwards anyways. I would replace your tie-rod ends too while your under there. Not much more work involved.

 

sounds to me like they gave you the right part/parts.Most likely (like all the ones i've done before)it should be pressed in and have the rivets.like the guy said .drill out the old rivets and press out the old ones,then press in the new ones and use the bolts where the rivets used to be.you'll have to rent a ball joint press from like autozone or someplace like that.I've done a couple on 3rd and 2nd gens before and its a real PITA.Like dirty dog said if you have no idea on how to do this you might want to go have a shop do it.It can be dangerous with the spring and everyting.hope this haelps and if you do,do it.PLEASE be careful!

 

You should have the same front end as mine. The 02 and 03 have IFS front suspension. No worries about springs flying out because it does not incorporate one. I personally installed my lower ball joints. I did not have to drill the rivets. On my truck the bj just press in and press out. I posted a pic of my front suspension.
Good luck on your decision.

 

hey i got an 03 ram 4x4 and i need to replace the ***** joints. so the lower one def presses out ? cause i dont wanna buy the whole arm . it looks to me like it is welded on there.