Dodge RamCharger Central banner
Cancel

ball joints

2247 Views 20 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  78magnumxe, 
M
my ball joints on my 89 ramcharger need to be changed and i was wondering if i could do it my self or should i send it to a shop to get it done if u have already had it done how much did it cost??
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 3 of 21 Posts
KThaxton
Yeah, get the preload socket. They put that adjuster in the upper ball joint for a reason.
Don't skimp on the ball joints either. I bought some cheaper ones and 3 of the 4 wore out in the first 9 months!
Reply
Save
Like
KThaxton
auwing said:
I dont see this peload deal in my service manual for my 83 rc what am i missing? Getting ready to do this
Click to expand...
My 86 FSM doesn't show any pictures of it either, it just mentions it in the description in "removal" and "installation".
Reply
Save
Like
KThaxton
Due to manufacturing tolerences of the tapered studs on the ball joints and the tapered holes on the yoke, and the fact that the knuckle and the yoke are fixed lengths, you need to be able to compensate for these differences.
The preload adjuster evens up the load so each ball joint does its share. If the adjuster wasn't tight enough, the lower ball joint would be required to hold more than its share of the weight. If it was too tight, the upper would be carrying more weight.
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 3 of 21 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Dodge RamCharger Central
RamchargerCentral.Com is a Dodge truck community built by a vast number of experienced owners. Whatever you're thinking about doing from routine maintenance to full-on restoration, odds are somebody around here already has. Originally focused on the Ram Charger / Trail Duster, our members own, drive and wrench on Mopars from the 40s to the current day. It's not what you buy, it's what you build.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Vehicle Help Open Discussions Technical Discussion Ramchargers, Traildusters, Durangos and other SUVs Rams, Power Wagons, D/W 50s, Dakotas and other tru
Top