In the next couple of weeks, I plan on replacing both upper and lower control arms on my 2000 Dodge 1500. Rockauto has great prices on complete arm setups with ball joints.

I read the removal and installation procedures in the factory manual and it seemed fairly straightforward without too much fuss. I wanted to see if any of you have done this yourself and, if so, is there anything I should be aware of, prepare for, or if there are any special tools I should get beforehand.

Thanks in advance.

 

Doubtful you will have a issue with the disassembly and do not recall special tools. If you reside in the rust belt you may need a torch, as corrosion on suspension components can be severe. Have the front end alignment done asap after the job is finished.

 

Control arm bushings might be a biotch to remove.....make sure you have an air hammer.

 

The new upper and lower control arms already have bushings on them along with ball joints. So it looks like I just need to unbolt the old control arms and bolt on the new ones. Keeping fingers crossed that it really is as easy as it sounds :-)

 

I hear the dorman and Mevotech control arms are made of stamped steel 1/2 the thickness of OEM.

Some complain of impossibility of achieving a proper alignment afterward, and the ball joints and bushings are substandard.

I'd avoid the Dorman or Mevotech as China's worst.

Spent the extra for raybestos, Moog or AC Delco

Do not fully tighten lower control arms to cross member until weight is back on the suspension.

 

Landyacht318...Thanks for the heads up on the Dormans and Mevotechs.

 

I just took the route of changing all the ball joints on my 2000 Ram Van. I decided against replacing the control arms since they are all fine. it was a total pain and A*s of course. but after i got everything changed over it turns out one of the upper ball joints is defective. i ordered the whole arm with ball joint already in there. Moog brand.

anyways - the lower ball joints, as long as you have some patience and the right set of cups aren't that hard to take out and put back in and it will save you a few hundos. The top ones sucked, they screw in, but I would def replace the upper arms and install the whole assembly since the bushing could go bad anyways. Just my take. Good luck.

ps- the biggest pain was removing the spindle and wheel assemblies from the old BJs. but with the right press/pull kits you'll be fine.