ball joints and tie rods

[ray fischer]

Took 2005 Ram in for inspection. Garage called said I need both. I have 71000 miles, no shimmy and tires wear even. Is that about normal time for replacement. I'm not mechanically inclined enough to know the difference.

[Wild Horse]

Got any "clunk" when you hit a bump/go over railroad tracks? You can check them all yourself if you have a floor jack and 15 minutes. Replacing is another story....especially with 4wd. Prices vary on parts, but I think about 80 bucks each is about right. Those that replace them on their own, here's a trick....put new joints on dry ice overnite.

My '06 dually has 106K on it, hasn't need 'em yet. Probably just jinxed myself. My 2001 2500 had 286,000 on it when I traded it in, never needed any front suspension/steering work done.

[LonnieB]

Unless you trust the shop and evidently you don't, I would suggest going somewhere for a second opinion.

We see trucks with less miles than yours needing the repairs you describe, but they have usually spent considerable time on rough highways, caliche roads, or both. We also see them with many more miles than yours needing nothing.

[Pete Hanson]

My '04 RAM 2500 needed them replaced to pass an annual inspection here in MA at about 40K miles. I am not a heavy user of the truck at all. At the time I was told that these trucks are using low quality ball joints that don't even have grease zerks in them. I wish I had replaced them with aftermarket joints made in the USA that could be greased but I didn't. It is a shame that nothing lasts anymore. I laugh when I watch the advertisements on television for all the different truck manufacturers and their bragging about how tough their trucks are.

[Tom S.]

I hate shops that do stuff like that. "Well, you have xxxx miles and that's about all they last." I'm not saying yours are good or bad, but if your mechanically inclined to test them yourself for play/wear, take it some place else for a second opinion. Also get quotes from both places.

I have heard many GM owners complain about replacing ball joints, tie rod ends and even wheel bearings at that mileage figure, but I've also heard on many more that did not.

[Jdrobone]

Caliche roads. Aren't they in Peru?

[LonnieB]

I don't know about Peru, never been there, but here in New Mexico and West Texas they are everywhere

[scductman]

My 96 has 150,000 miles on it and the ball jts are good but the rubber dust covers have rotted away. they have started to squeak alittle but still drives great. the factory ones dont come with grease fittings but they can be installed with not much trouble. the good new ones come with the Gfs but they are expensive. I would get another op before replacing JMHO.
bobby

[clutch]

Saddly the ball joints are the price one has to pay to get the nice smooth ride of a 3rd gen Dodge. On first and second gen trucks they lasted a long time but that is not the case with the 03 and newer Dodge.

[bigmurf]

I have a 2004.5. Ball joints @ 35K (warranty). Again at 74K ($1100.00 with U joints)
Be sure the replacement units have grease zerks and a lifetime warranty.
BTW. You can look forward to a lift pump before 100K

[ray fischer]

Thanks for all the replies. Went to the garage, they showed me the play in them. Had them replaced. Whats done is done. Thanks again, Ray

[sreigle]

Ray, I guess I'm too late to say I second the notion of a second opinion. I don't know how the ball joints work on the Dodge Ram but I remember a Firestone dealer trying to tell me when I was in college that my 1964 Pontiac Le Mans needed ball joints and I was likely to end up in a ditch if I didn't let them replace them. I had no money so drove the car home. My dad about had a cow. He jacked it up and showed me how the ball joints move with no load on them. Looks like they're going to come apart. And that's normal on that car, with no load on the joint. I have to wonder if the same is true on these trucks.

[ray fischer]

Steve, I trusted the shop from previous experience, so I was too quick to say OK. I wish I would have went for a second opinion. Next time I will. Thanks, Ray

[farmboy]

I have an 2004.5 2500 2wd and had mine replaced by dealer under warrenty(extended) at a little over 80,000 miles last April. They also had to replace the torsion bar down links. The bushings were gone. No lift pump yet and have 1100 to go to get to 100k.