How to Remove and Replace Lower Ball Joint?
We are working on my son's 2002 Dodge 1500 5.9 2WD pickup. The lower ball joint need to be replaced. The new ball joint we purchased has a snap-ring to be intalled on the top after the ball joint is pressed in. However, the ball joint now installed has cover over the top with 4 small notched cut into it which does not allow access to the top of the ball joint. We tried to remove the cover be were unable to. Does the cover come off and it's a snap-ring under it or is this style of ball joint be replaced?
Did you ever get an answer to this question? I'm faced with the identical situation right now, and can't seem to find an answer to how to remove the lower ball joint.
from reading this, it sounds like you have the new ball joint in right? well i have a 96, and just replaced all four ball joints, i noticed that two of them came with snap rings, but there wasnt enough room to put them on so i left them out, now, not having ever worked on anything newer than my truck, i dont think you have to use the snap rings
have you replaced your ball joints yet? if not, the only thing i can suggest is swinging the hammer harder, its a pain, but if your replacing them, then you dont need to worry about being gentle on the old ones
the snap rings keep your ball joint from not pulling out. ive only done them on my 4x4 ram but i burned mine out with torches
I just did all 4 on my 1998 B-1500 (RamVan) I didn't get Snap Rings With my Lower Ball Joints, However I'm going to spot weld them into my Lower Control Arms (Before Alingment), when I Pressed the New Lower Ball Joints in it just seemed to be too easy. Safety First, I also think it's sort of an upgrade as the old Ball Joints weren't secured at all! That is my Opinion.
2007 1500 1/2 ton. Same problem. Cant get it out!! Posted photo. I tried a 6ft. Breaker bar, nothin!
GuruGHR1S Did you get the ball joint out? I have the same kind of ball joints and i was stumped, I did a hell mary and used a cut off wheel and cut the top off smooth with the face and hit it a few times with a healthy hammer it knocked it loose and i got it out, the new ball joint went in with the ball joint install tool and the snap ring fit perfect. hope this helps. I worked for me
I had to chisel that 4 notch ring looking f-n thing as much as I could, and it finally came out. What a pain in the ass.
