Hey, I'm new to the forum, and just bought my first diesel truck. I'm down in College Station, TX right now, but will be going to Quantico, VA in a few months. I've got a 2000 Ram 2500, automatic, 4x4, ext cab, with 206,000 miles on it.

On to the question: I went to a shop to have them flush the coolant/transmission, and get my tires aligned. They said that the ball joints on my front end, as well as my track bar, were shot and needed to be replaced. I jacked up the truck and didn't feel any play in the tires, so I need to know if there is some other test I can do to determine if I really need new ball joints/ a track bar, or if it was just some shop owner trying to make some extra money. Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome to the forums, good to see another diesel in CS.
As far as the balljoints and tracbar goes, does the truck drive smooth at all speeds? Also, if you lift the front up and check the tires for lateral movement (grab the top and bottom of the tire and move it back and forth), if it moves than you probably need ball joints, if it doesnt move then you probably dont need them. However I cant tell you without even looking at your truck. You can take it to another shop and get a 2nd or 3rd opinion though. Congrats on the new truck

 

I bet they are shot,its very common on these trucks.But obviously you have to check to be sure.Just dont be too dissapointed if its the case .

 

I have 260,000+ km on my factory ball joints and they are fine. Like TXaggie09 said, look for movement. A good test for checking the track bar is to have a friend move the steering wheel back and forth fairly quickly with the engine off, while you watch the track bar. If it is worn, you can see the movement in the ball joint of the track bar where it mounts to the frame on the drivers side and sometimes you will see the frame move side to side while the front axle remains stationary. Just a slow demo of what the "death wobble" looks like from under the vehicle. Get a second opinion by all means. Good luck and enjoy your cummins.

 

Thanks for the help, everyone. I jacked it up, and they aren't shot (yet). I really appreciate it.

 

Don't flush the tranny! You'll thank me later.

Dave

 

My ball joint's went out at 101,000 even with a alinement every 6,000 mile's.