staarma

Just dropped 930$ on ball joints over the weekend and that was for Moog joints not Carli or dynatrac. Truck has 26k on it for miles and treated like a queen. Not very happy. My 2000, 2001 and 04.5 were not this bad at all. In act my 04.5 had 67k on it when I sold it and the shop checked the front end over and everything was still tight like new. This 12 has had more trouble than all of my other dodge cummins powered trucks put together. Might hop back in time and buy a 3rd gen for crying out loud or pick up a low mile 7.3

Danderson

The 3/36 warranty wouldn't cover it?

staarma

I doubt it. I think those are a wear item like brake pads, etc. aren't they?

Sierra1

This is disappointing to read because I had the same issue on my new 2003 back in the day....I would like to think that Dodge would have addressed the issues by now. I was told by the service manager that the reason why my 3500 SRW truck was eating ball joints "is because you run 80 psi in your tires, and that is beating the ball joints up." I quickly replied that they are 10 ply tires, and the sidewall calls for 80 psi for max payload capacity. He replied "that's too much air pressure, you should run 50-60 psi max." That conversation was over 12 years ago and I remember it like yesterday. I ended up going through two complete sets of ball joints before the truck had 36k miles on it. I subsequently traded the truck on a 2005 Silverado 3500 and never looked back. That was the first year for common rail injection, and that truck was a total piece of junk....it was always in the shop with one issue or another! Since then I have bought Chevy and Ford trucks and have recently just went back to the Ram to give it one last chance...I hope I did not make a mistake doing so??? I'm scared to say so, but thus far it's been a good truck, and the MPG has surpassed my every expectation thus far.

LHarper

If you are within the 36,000 miles and 36 months, think that is a warranty item. Really strange how some ball joints seem to last better then others.

Grit Dog

Starrma, how did you determine they were bad?
Reason I ask, is I think ALOT of shops do an alignment and if every parameter with caster and camber is not within their "spec" they are "bad".

I've had my 07 in for one alignment at 60-70k mi years ago and was told mine were out of spec on caster and too much free play in them. I recall having a little play in them since early on (when you move the tire in/out off the ground). At 130kmi, they seem to have about the same "play" in them.
I typically judge worn ball jts by tire wear if toe is correct and if tires aren't wearing funny, then the bjs are ok.
Truck is 80% pavement queen, 20% trailer puller/camper hauler/off/dirt road.

Danderson

Jack your truck up and use a tire iron under the tire. If you feel a metallic clunk like my passenger side bj emitted it's time. My driver's side was tight. 63K

staarma

Tire iron under a jacked up tire. You could actually see it and not just feel it. They were shot.

04ctd

4x4 or 4x2?

all four, or just bottoms/tops?

i think my 4x2 2006 lasted ~100k miles, but yeah, it was around $500 to do just the uppers?


did you check on warranty covering it? or was this at the dealer?

RyeThomas

This is why when I purchase a Ram/Dodge truck I always purchase an extended warranty that covers Ball Joints. I had them done before 40k miles on my 06 Mega, and I will darn sure be having them done before warranty coverage is out on my 12. Sorry for the bad luck but if you own a Ram truck, I don't care what year your gonna need ball joints sooner than later.

I'm interested to see how the newer frame and front end on the 13/14 and up trucks hold out???

staarma

Truck is a 4wd. Has 26k on it. Was told ball joints were not covered on the warranty just like brake pads....wear item.

Both upper and lowers were shot.

Danderson

I'd call Dodge support.

RyeThomas

Odd, I have had Ball Joints upper and lower both sides replaced by an aftermarket warranty Company. I would imagine if they could have gotten out of it they would have. I'd fight that one.

Gry113500

My stock BJ's died at 36k, you could see them move too!

torquefan

Most ball joints have a wear spec and the only way to check them is with a dial indicator. Many are allowed quite a bit of movement (like upwards of .100") before they are considered to be out-of spec. I think there are lots of ball joints out there that are getting replaced long before there's anything wrong with them.