Play in Lower Control Arm Ball Joints

[RamCares]

UPDATE - My lower control arms have been replaced very much to my satisfaction!

Huge shout outs to @RamCares, Carrie at RAM/Stellantis, and Quirk CDJR in Marshfield MA. After a couple discussions, it was decided that my control arms would be replaced under warranty with just a $250 deductible! Took a while for the control arms to come in, but they're installed and all is well.

I have to say I was most impressed with RAM in how they treated me and my issue. Genuinely took interest, understood my complaint, and took pretty decisive action quickly. All around, one of the best customer service experiences I've ever been a part of, professionally or personally.

My general PSA - before you get to 36K miles on your truck, get the lower control arms inspected, just in case. They would be covered under the bumper-to-bumper warranty and you might not be as lucky as me.

Hey there!

Thank you for the tag! We're so glad that you got your vehicle fixed and had a great experience!

Callie
Ram Cares

 

[CaptainCJ35]

Hey there!

Thank you for the tag! We're so glad that you got your vehicle fixed and had a great experience!

Callie
Ram Cares

You guys made it possible. Can't thank you enough.

 

[RamCares]

You guys made it possible. Can't thank you enough.

So happy to here it!

Callie
Ram Cares

 

[JCLAYTON13]

Appears to be a lip on the top and bottom of the ball joint so I just don't see how it's possible to press it out. Maybe if I get bored I will experiment with it a little bit.
View attachment 127122 View attachment 127123

Appears to be a lip on the top and bottom of the ball joint so I just don't see how it's possible to press it out. Maybe if I get bored I will experiment with it a little bit.
View attachment 127122 View attachment 127123

We are attempting this right now! Everything I have researched has said this ball joint is a replacement.

 

[JCLAYTON13]

We are attempting this right now! Everything I have researched has said this ball joint is a replacement. View attachment 177594 View attachment 177595

I also verified the vin with partsgeek.com

 

[Jeffjad]

We are attempting this right now! Everything I have researched has said this ball joint is a replacement. View attachment 177594 View attachment 177595

Nice, keep us posted. I have two perfectly good LCA's sitting in my garage that could use some new ball joints.

 

[JCLAYTON13]

Nice, keep us posted. I have two perfectly good LCA's sitting in my garage that could use some new ball joints.

It worked, just grind the top of the old ball joint off where it is pressed over. Then press it out and press in the new one. Then cold shot the top of the newly installed joint to keep it in place like anyone replacement.

 

[Jeffjad]

It worked, just grind the top of the old ball joint off where it is pressed over. Then press it out and press in the new one. Then cold shot the top of the newly installed joint to keep it in place like anyone replacement.

What do you mean by "cold shot the top"??

 

[JCLAYTON13]

What do you mean by "cold shot the top"??

What do you mean by "cold shot the top"??

Flare the top of the new ball joint just a little like the OEM one to prevent any movement.
What do you mean by "cold shot the top"??

 

[kapinallinen2]

It worked, just grind the top of the old ball joint off where it is pressed over. Then press it out and press in the new one. Then cold shot the top of the newly installed joint to keep it in place like anyone replacement.

So, a 20 buck ball joint and a cold shot kit v.s a complete lower control arm that has not been "hacked "with?
Curious mind want`s to know...

 

[skyhawk42]

Pics of new ball joints in old control arm? I didn’t think this was a possibility and mine might need replacing soon.

 

[JCLAYTON13]

So, a 20 buck ball joint and a cold shot kit v.s a complete lower control arm that has not been "hacked "with?
Curious mind want`s to know...

It works! I have put a couple of hundred miles on the new replacement with no issues.

 

[JCLAYTON13]

Pics of new ball joints in old control arm? I didn’t think this was a possibility and mine might need replacing soon.

I will try to get a picture tomorrow, truck is filthy with the early winter thaw.

 

[JCLAYTON13]

Pics of new ball joints in old control arm? I didn’t think this was a possibility and mine might need replacing soon.

Here is a picture of the OEM ball joint on the passenger side and the replacement that we did on the driver side.

 

[skyhawk42]

so did you grind the old ones or just press them out? Is there a clip on the new ones?

 

[JCLAYTON13]

so did you grind the old ones or just press them out? Is there a clip on the new ones?

So the top of the OEM has to have the tops grounded down to be pressed out. The replacement I bought didn’t have any clips. So it was just pressed back in and “cold shot” which is you just take a punch and hit the edge out a little to act like a retaining clip.

 

[Scram1500]

Peen might be the proper vernacular in this case

 

[JCLAYTON13]

Peen might be the proper vernacular in this case

If that’s the word you would prefer…. Then yes “peen” the top. There are other ball joints that have a retaining clip that is installed on the top side but they are usually sold out. I was lucky enough to have bought the last two for backups just incase I need to do another one.

 

[Jedi9]

Is the press in fit a tight fit?

 

[JCLAYTON13]

Is the press in fit a tight fit?

Yes no play