Okay This will sound very beginner and that's fine with me my upper ball joint is trashed.. I haven't gotten a perfect view of it but it looks like i just unscrew a nut and it pop it out and im good to go .
but when looking at auto zone there is two different kinds
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...96903_0_0_4299

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par..._0_2940%2C4299

which do i buy? whats the difference?

any tips on how to do the joint the people at a shop quoted me at like 600 which i KNOW is a rip for just upper ball joints.

Thanks in advance.

 

the upper ball joint isn't made to be servicable,If the ball joint is bad you have to replace control arm. it is pressed into arm you might be able to get it out, more then likely you'll damage control arm its not very thick metal. The difference between the 2 ball joints is the more expensive one is adjustable for alignments.that price isn't to bad if its for both both sides(control arms) and alignment. its just under 2 hours per side .strut has to come out,compressed ,taken apart to replace control arm( it is a real pain to do it yourself)

 

Thanks. one more question then. When replacing the control arm do you need to replace the bushings as well?

 

your welcome, no you don't have to do bushings, if there not damaged just did my control arms last month(have an 04 sedan 107,000 miles) they were still in good shape

 

Why does a strut have to be taken apart to remove anything? Doesn't the strut just drop out with spring attached?

 

the front strut comes out in one piece ,Dodge makes it hard the bolt heads for the control arm face the spring it would be possible to either cut bolt head off and pull out otherside ,or might be able to spread spring to get it out that way

 

without pics I couldn't figure out why the strut was being dissembled for a control arm.

 

Took a look the other day day and not very possible to spread the spring at all best bet is to remove the strut like you said. those bolts suck. ha!
Thanks again