I found step by step instructions on this forum on changing upper ball joints on a 2nd Generation 4wd dodge 1500. I have a 04 dodge 2wd. Can I use the instructions i found to work on my truck. I dont think I can, but I need step by step instructions and these are the only ones I found. For example the instructions I found says something about using a 1 11/16" socket to take off the wheel assembly, and I dont even see a socket like that on my 2wd. I know I should stupid, but I dont have the money to take it to the shop and pay $400 or more. Any help would be appreciated.

 

If you have a 2wd then you do not have the big nut that holds the wheel hub to the spindle. You will have 3 bolts on the back side of the spindle that hold the hub to it though.

You can also download the Service Manual from the links in my signature for your 04 2wd.

Price the balljoints locally but also price them on Ebay and Rockauto.com

 

I have been trying to beat, press and pry out the lower ball joint for almost a week now. I figured while i was at it, i would go ahead and change the tire rod ends and upper control arm and replace them with greaseable parts. I got everything apart except the lower ball joint. Can someone tell me if it pushes out from the top or bottom. I rented a ball press from auto zone and bought a ball joint seperator, but can seem to get either to work good enough to remove the ball joint. thanks

 

I have been trying to beat, press and pry out the lower ball joint for almost a week now. I figured while i was at it, i would go ahead and change the tire rod ends and upper control arm and replace them with greaseable parts. I got everything apart except the lower ball joint. Can someone tell me if it pushes out from the top or bottom. I rented a ball press from auto zone and bought a ball joint seperator, but can seem to get either to work good enough to remove the ball joint. thanks

 

have u tryed using a torch to loosen them up?

 

um no, how exactly would that work? im pretty stupid when it comes to stuff like this. should of took it to shop but dont have the funds

 

Did you remove the cap from on top of the bj and remove the ring that holds it in place? post some pics of your bj. also, is presses from the top going downwards.

 

^^^ I responded to your thread

 

Make sure you remove the cap, you will have to remove the staked area to get them off. The BJ goes down too

I couldnt get mine to budge and brought the LCAs to an alignment shop and they pressed em out with a 100ton press. And I live in the land of no snow and few freezes

 

I did as well.