Need to replace lower ball joints. Would you replace the ball joint or lower control arm?

[Cajuntec]

Looking at Rock Auto - LBJ's are available by themselves (Suspensia or Delphi), but would require me to press them out. I don't have the tools necessary to do so, but I think if I looked at Autozone, they probably have something I could rent (maybe).

I'm also seeing lots of complete Lower Control Arms, with LBJ's already installed, for about $160 each (same brand - Suspensia).

Is it worth the couple hundred dollar savings to just get the LBJ and press them out myself, or go with the complete assembly?

Also considering some aftermarket on Amazon, factory from Ram (super expensive), and might also do the UBJ's / Whole UCA at the same time.

By the way - related to this - Anyone know what the little connector on the upper control arm is used for? My truck, two neighbors trucks, and just about every one I've seen in the parking lot at work have it, but nobody knows what it's for. It's the little nub that looks like a lift assist arm would attach to (like what holds up a hood, trunk, boat storage locker, etc...). No idea why it's there or what it's for.

All the best,
Glenn

 

[OCD Solutions]

I'll cheap out on some things but suspension is not one of them. I usually go with Mopar or Moog for parts that keep me alive. I haven't looked at these components for my 19 yet but Moogs for the older models were typically fitted with replaceable ball joints. So you swap out the entire control arm this time but you can replace just the ball joint in the future.

The little connector is where the ride height sensor attaches for trucks equipped with the air suspension.

 

[boogielander]

change the whole unit. Pressing things out are just pain in the butt.
Also if you wanna buy auto parts from Scamazon, be sure to Google the brands. Too many "brands" on Amazon do not exist - no result returned on Google, no storefront, no location, no website. Even if the item is listed as "Made in USA" do the search because I can just photoshop "Made in USA" on my iPhone but in reality it is not.

 

[CHeYeNNe71]

Look at Mevotech full LCA Supreme or TTX. I'm running the TTX myself. This way all new bushings. Might be worth swapping the UCA as well, since you'll need a new alignment

 

[1791]

change the whole unit. Pressing things out are just pain in the butt.
Also if you wanna buy auto parts from Scamazon, be sure to Google the brands. Too many "brands" on Amazon do not exist - no result returned on Google, no storefront, no location, no website. Even if the item is listed as "Made in USA" do the search because I can just photoshop "Made in USA" on my iPhone but in reality it is not.

the units he is referring to are from ROCKAUTO not the jungle store, so probably okay.

 

[bigdodge]

By the way - related to this - Anyone know what the little connector on the upper control arm is used for? My truck, two neighbors trucks, and just about every one I've seen in the parking lot at work have it, but nobody knows what it's for. It's the little nub that looks like a lift assist arm would attach to (like what holds up a hood, trunk, boat storage locker, etc...). No idea why it's there or what it's for.

All the best,
Glenn

have a picture of what you are referring to above?

 

[boogielander]

the units he is referring to are from ROCKAUTO not the jungle store, so probably okay.

i know. just offering additional information since he did say he is also considering amazon stuff.

 

[boogielander]

have a picture of what you are referring to above?

it's the arm for air suspension.

 

[1791]

i know. just offering additional information since he did say he is also considering amazon stuff.

100% be VERY careful with amazon or feebay for that matter
they don't list any for 2wd but they actually but are the same part number on mopars website just throwing that out there for any 2wd guys and i bet the limited control arms are the same