I agree IMO their biggest problemn is metallurgy...snapping BJs...look at the pitting on the inner tie rod...look at the jagged inner edge of the LCA...like someone was just going to town with a bandsaw, didnt bother with a sander, and just welded the upper and inner stamps together.

 

BTW Raybestos end links and sway bar bushings are in. No problems with the zerks, even though they are pre-greased I always give them a small squirt to make sure the zerks will take grease...no problems there. They took away all the remaining noise in my front end...its amazing how just a small clunk takes away all your confidence in the suspension.

Didnt use grease on the sway bushings, no problems with squeaking yet, though its only been a few days. Fit was perfect.

 

Just fixing to order up some parts myself. I just had an inner CV boot let go and it's wanting to sling that slimy green grease everywhere. My upper ball joints ain't had a lick of rubber on 'em for close to 10,000 miles now. Funny, but they show no signs of failing - woulda thought that crud getting into unprotected ball joints would have done 'em in by now.

So I've decided since I gotta do ball joints on both sides and replace the CV with the shredded boot I might just as well do the one on the other side. I gotta pay to use the shop space and lift, so better just get everything in one shot. Tie rod ends only have about 8k miles on 'em so they should be fine. Looking at Moog upper arms and lower ball joints and Cardone CV axles on both sides.

Anybody hear anything good or bad on the Cardone axles???

 

^Looks like no one Hammer

Here is a list of threads that have popped up relevant to Chassis Parts:

Steering linkage upgrade.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...e-upgrade.html

2005 Ram 2500 4WD ball joint replacement snag. Help!
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...snag-help.html

Moog upper control arm part numbers
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...t-numbers.html

Front end rebuild on 2004 Doge RAM 2500 has begun, Lessons Learned, and New Questions
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...questions.html

Napa Streering Linkage Parts and tie rod ends kinda wimpy...?
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...nda-wimpy.html

just finished ball joints, now onto others.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...to-others.html

Leaf spring bushings
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...-bushings.html

2004 Ram 1500 Wandering and Vibration
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...vibration.html

Worn lower front shock bushings - Need to replace LCA? {PICS}
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...-lca-pics.html

How bad are my ball joints and control arms?
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...trol-arms.html

Life of wheel bearings?
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...-bearings.html

Worn tie rods?
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...-tie-rods.html

is it possible to replace lower control arm bushings w/o removal ??
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...o-removal.html

Replacing ball joints
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...ll-joints.html

Lower control arm replacement questions.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...questions.html

Cheers!

 

Have them on my Ram for couple years now they work fine. Also put them on my Olds and Buick no problems there as well.

 

i recently replaced my whole front end with Moog parts: upper control arms, lower ball joints, inner/ outer tie rod ends. Also replaced the front shocks, and installed timken wheel hubs with tapered bearings. The truck drives amazing and the steering feels brand new. Next on the list are Cardone CV's.

All the moog parts were perfect. However, the parts were shaped different from factory. I will soon be replacing the tires so I have yet gotten an alignment. I just marked the factory suspension part locations and eye-balled the tie rods and it drives perfectly true and straight. My tires are also wearing perfectly flat. GO Figure!!!

 

I've still got all the parts sitting in my garage, busy, busy, busy. I'll get to it after hunting season - unless something fails first. LOL...

 

Anybody done any more front end work lately? Finally getting around to thinking about ordering up some parts myself finally, just getting re-motivated to do the work once the freakin snow lets up.

 

Since the last time I posted on this thread, I installed my Cardon HD cv axles and installed drilled and slotted rotors with ceramics pads. All in all, the whole job was easier than expected. I couldn't imagine how much labor costs that would have been through a shop. I was very nervous about pressing a ball joints, but with an impact, it went super smooth. Out of the whole entire job, the hardest part was replacing one of my caliper pistons that cracked. My impatient self cracked it. While I was in there, I changed all the fluid out too.

The only special tools I used were ball joint press (rented), electric impact, a huge crescent (for the inner tire rods), and just a torque wrench.

 

Hey man, you are like 5 miles north of me (Hilliard). I did my bilstein 5100 install last fall and all 4 struts and BJs on a friend's car (Mitsu Galant) over the winter. It can seem daunting but with a little internet research (and free DF service manuals) you'll be fine.

Useful tools in addition to standard wrench/socket set are:
Ball joint service kit (can be rented)
spring compressor (can be rented)
torch (propane/air is ok, oxy/fuel gas is better) You cannot underestimate the power of heat and patience in removing a stuck bolt before it is a broken bolt.
Good Prybar set
3-4 lb hammer
good 1/2"+ air impact (and air compressor to run it)
set of big impact sockets
air chisel (removing stuck bolts) (can be rented but is cheap to buy)
15+" crescent wrench
multiple small (<2ton) hydraulic jacks
one tall bottle jack
3+ton jackstands to hold everything nice and high

A lot of folks dog harbor freight but I have used their stuff for years with great results. You have to inspect each piece but in general I find their hand tools, pneumatic and hydraulic tools are good (buy the "pro" series), but watch out for the electric stuff. I go the one on Broad street but I believe there is on in Dublin, too. PM me if you need any specific tool part numbers.

Good luck!