:cool.....:

 

Thanks for the instructions! Used them last night to change out a front axle u-joint. Luckily the dealer mechanic who did the ball-joints under warranty 40k miles ago greased the unit bearing before he put it back on, it came off no problem (must've thought I'd be back ).

Oh, the tools needed are a 1-11/16" (43mm) socket for the axle nut, 15/16" for the lug nuts and 18mm for the caliper and unit bearing bolts (plus a breaker bar and lots of PB blaster for each).

 

I'm needing to do the balljoints on my wife's '03 and this is got to be the best thread. I have a service manual for my '01...is it the same axle/set-up as the '03?

 

i wanna say that since 00, the front end has been the same. someone correct me if i'm wrong.

 

In 2003 they switched from Dana to AAM axles. I don't know if the ball joints would be that different, or not.

 

Different part #'s from Orielly's but I just assumed that the procedure would be the same as the '01?

 

Yes, guessing you can use the same OTC press also

 

I was told by my local alignment shop that my ball joints were bad, two years and 30k miles ago. They had some up and down play. Dealer said they were OK. Moog said a little up and down is OK. I guess the dealer was right. I have been injecting the ball joints with grease with a needle and they still feel good. I have a free spin kit waiting to go in and will closely inspect and pack them with grease when I do that. No rust here in So Cal either.

 

I have some play up and down and can feel it in the floorboard. I checked the shock bolts first and then everything else...ball Joints are all I can come up with. I had them replaced on my '01 @ 100K ago and used it as a reference for the '03 and I have no up/down movement on the '01.

 

From what I have been told up and down is ok but any side to side it is time to change them. I just did the free spin and should have done my ball joints since I had her apart. Quad 4x4 sells a ball joint tool for $300 and more $$$ for an american made tool they have the appropriate dies for each year too. I am sure you can find something cheaper elsewhere but you will get the right tool and dies from them.

 

Just curious if anybody knows if the OTC 8031 tool will work on a 2006 Ram 3500?

 

Yep and also on the 2006

 

Thanks MR Gadget. Excellent write up

 

just found this, doing my buddies front end today! hopefully it helps out. Was wondering what the torques are on everything?

 

Mr Gadget, just wanted to thank you for the great write up! I replaced my ball joints today and your thread really helped me out!!

10sec72, I dont know definate torque numbers but whatever it took to get them off is what I torqued them back to.... plus red locktite.
axle nut 260 lbs (I read this somewhere)
brake assembly 150lbs
unit bearing 150lbs

Ball joints:
out of manual

torque lower to 35 lbs
torque upper to 70lbs advance to next slot and insert cotter pin
torque lower to 140-160lbs advance to next slot and insert cotter pin.
hope this helps.

-Mike