I have my ball joints on order and the tool to do it all from rockauto.com. I have a 2004 ram diesel 4X4. What else do i need? any special torx or allen sockets for caliper bolt removal, seals for hubs? possibly u-joints but what else? im trying to gather as much stuff as possible so i can finish the job in a day or so and not have my truck apart for weeks ordering tools and parts. any axle seals? Special nut for the ball joints like a 12 point or something?metric imperial etc....is there a DIY for a 3rd gen on this?

 

grease, cotter pins, never seize, possibly brake pads since im there etc..

 

Sorry I cannot recommend anything as I have never done balljoints on a Dodge Truck. I am sure I will need to a some point as I have 86k on the truck now. Let us know how you make out.. How many miles on your 2004.5?

I will be watching this thread for future reference.

Thanks, Jeff

 

193000 km now. running better and better

 

does any1 know yet what ill all need? i guess ill order once its apart. b4 hand would be nice so i can get it done in under a month

 

I did my hubs at the same time. Other then that you should be good to go. No special sockets needed. Those u-joint will go for along time, but you will know once they are apart. If you take the wheel hubs off be prepaired for a fight, big hammer needed(only if you are replacing them). The job is pretty basic I think you want to install the top ball joint first but play with the tool to see how you would get the top in with the bottom already installed. Does that make sense?

 

yes. does knuckle come off axle easy? or do i need pickle fork?

 

just did my front end. you need 1 11/16" socket for hub nut. ball joints separate from steering knuckle easier if you use two pickle forks large one for bottom. the biggest problem is getting the hub assemblies out if seized. You need a puller or use the steering press method. Puller may destroy hub, steering press method saves hub. i used both at the same time, lost one hub $300 touch. I removed top joint last, put top joint in first. It worked better that way for me using the press. The knuckle has nothing to do with axle it's the hub that will cause you grief, it will come off the axle easily, but not out of the knuckle. give yourself 4hrs; (I have a bad arm so it may take way less for you); each side thats if everything comes apart nicely. ball joints take less than 1hr to R&R most of the time is taken removing the hub assembly without destroying it.

 

I would do the axle u-joints while there. the unitized bearing assembly is pretty costly from dodge . napa sells them now about $245. if you know where to buy skf products, they make them and can be bought cheaper direct. the last one I done had napa parts all greaseable joints.

 

I’d do the U-Joints while you have it apart. Nothing came apart to easy when I did mine so I put U-Joints in. I wrecked a bearing too, lol. When you put the bearings back in use lots of anti-seize for next time.

 

I bought my hub/bearing from parts plus auto for $250. Its a timken unit with a life time warrenty. Call 800-830-2885 and talk to Rick. Hope this helps.

Jim