Before anyone screams at me to search and about being a newbie...I had another user name but its gone with the wind...? I also searched until my head hurt. I've read through all kinds of posts about the subject and I don't think I want to mess with them myself.

I have air tools and probably have everything that I would need but I have a tiny one car garage (apartment) and I'm just not up to spending a bunch of time in the 110* heat to fix em. LOL

How much does it generally run to have a shop install the new ball joints? My lower one is shot and is squeaking like crazy. I was quoted over $300 for one of them but I thought that was a little high.

My truck is an 05 1500 QC 2WD.

On that note...how simple is it to just buy the arms with them previously installed? Am I still going to have hell getting the old one off?

Thanks again...

 

the uppers come with the ball joints already installed...the lowers are just the ball joints.. I think i paid $140 for all of them and installed them myself..pretty easy with a ball joint press...

 

Did you get the press at Auto Zone and did you purchase the tops with the included arm or just BJs?

Thank you for replying.

I'm pretty well versed in suspension work and have installed a number of lift kits on Jeeps and trucks I just don't have the room that I used to to work on my junk.

Thank you for your input. I'm going to go out and crawl around under the truck in a few minutes and try to get a better feel for what I'm up against.

 

I believe you can rent the press from Auto Zone with just a deposit and you get the deposit back when you return the press

 

i dont think you searched very thoroughly because; in the 3rd gen ram faqs there is an entire tutorial written by yours truly about ball joint replacement and how easy it is to do by yourself. i did mine in the parking lot of my apt complex, and even tells you some places to get the parts and tools you need.

 

I borrowed the press from a garage and got Moog greasable lifetime lower ball joints from rockauto.com. Cost about 180 total for those and both outer tie rods. Only took about 2 hours and than an alignment. When i took it for inspection and they told me they were bad they quoted me a price of $600-$700 to do the work and i told them f*&% off. It isn't hard at all. need the press and a little 3# hammer to poop them loose and your good to go.

One other thing. Be careful if you get ball joints with grease fittings on them. I had to pop the uppers loose a second time when i thought i was done because I realized i left the grease fitting facing towards the wheel and couldn't get to it to grease it ever again and couldn't get a wrench in there to turn it. Finished both sides before i realized and had to take them both apart.

 

Yes I did... I found your write up after seeing you mention it being in the FAQ for 3rd Gens in someone else's post and then I had to register again before I could see it...

Your tutorial only talks about replacing upper ball joints where the control arm itself is replaced. I need to know about LOWERS.

I dropped into Groovy Automotive which is right across the street from me today and they quoted me $640 to do it. I had originally called them to get a price and when he said it would be easier to see the truck I went over there...30 minutes later he quotes me and tells me that the cost for them LOOKING at it is $41 but he's going to waive it for me this time. I felt like slapping the guy. Come on man, I came over here cause you ASKED ME TO.

Needless to say I'm not going to let them work on my truck. I can handle it myself and lose a finger in the process for less than that! LOL

I suppose I'll buy some from Rock Auto and ride up there and rent the press. The guy told me this morning that they aren't terrible yet and I can run it like this a little longer and save some money up. They are just squawking.