First let me say howdy, first time poster long time reader. I have read a ton of information on this website about replacing the lower ball joints, all good stuff but I am stuck.

My truck: 2002 Dodge Ram SLT Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7

According to the Haynes book and the service manual I downloaded from someone on this website, you just take of the snap ring and push the old one out. I rented a tool from my local auto parts store to do this but it did not work. There is no ring to remove, I put the tool on there and cranked until my heart almost gave out, all it did was dent the top of the ball joint.

I am going to attempt to attach a picture of the ball joint. I am by no means a mechanic, just trying to save a bunch of money doing it myself. My next option is to remove the lower control arm and take it to a shop some where.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

I am pretty sure the upper ball joint is part of the control arm.

 

On my 03 the upper BJ is part of the arm. You have to replace the arm and BJ as one piece. The lower one is suppose to come out, however I hear they are a real pain sometimes. I had mine done at a shop. Sorry I am no more help than that.

 

some times i have had to heat the control arm up and i use an impact gun .i would crank the ball joint press as tight as you can get it use a jonson bar and peice of pipe on the end of jonson bar get it good and tight and hit the lower control arm with a heavy hammer to crack the ball joint loose while its under pressure from ball joint press .should work .the 2wd ones are harder as the ball joint cup does not sit level either

 

1500hemi, I tried that earlier, the only thing I managed to do was put a dent in the top of the ball joint, haha. The stinking thing almost looks like it is welded in there. I have my new upper control arms installed, guess I will put it all back together and let the shop handle the lower. The shop I use is only a few miles away, do you think it will be safe to drive it there? The lower BJ are now completely shot from me f-ing with them.

Thanks for all the replies. I might just jump the P.O.S. into the nearest canal, haha.

 

Noooooo lol tow it

 

Thanks, looks like my attempt to save money is back firing, haha. Oh well, just one more chapter in this trucks long list of problems. Thanks again.

 

if its the bottom joint you have to grind away the lip on the ball joint then it will just push right out with a press and a impact gun or cheater bar