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There are a lot of components that make up your car. Some are small, and some are big, but they all have a part to play, and your car would function without either one just like your body. A ball joint is an example of a similar component that plays a vital role in a car’s movement. Here we will look at the best ball joints for dodge ram 2500.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Ball Joints For Dodge Ram 2500
- OUR TOP PICK: Detroit Axle - 4PC Front Upper and Lower Ball Joints
- RUNNER-UP: A-Team Performance Kit
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: MOOG Chassis Products K500316
Comparison Chart of the Best Ball Joints For Dodge Ram 2500
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What Do Ball Joints Do?
Like we mentioned before, a car has many components that have to go in exactly their right place in order to work. A ball joint is attached between that car’s control arm and its steering knuckle. The control arm, in turn, is connected to the car’s load-bearing frame or chassis. The steering knuckle, on the other hand, is part of the car’s wheel hub. This part is where your tire is placed, and the knuckle on it is around which your wheel will rotate.
So, basically, the ball joint is the connection between the tire and the rest of the car. A bad joint can result in unsteady driving and clunky noises.
Are Ball Joints Universal Across Dodge Ram Trucks?
Ram trucks or dodge ram pickup trucks are part of the Ram Truck Division of the FCA US LCC. Over the years, they have made many models of this truck, including the 2500, 1500, Ram Chassis Cab, and more. A ball joint, though a very small part, needs to be strong and precisely build according to the vehicle it will go on.
It should perfectly fit into the steering knuckle and the chassis connection, and there should be no loose parts as it has to support the weight of the car. Therefore, the ball joints differ across different models of cars and trucks.
Review of the Best Ball Joints For Dodge Ram 2500
Now that you know the importance of these products, you know that having a subpar or damaged one will just not do. Let’s dive right into the reviews of the best ball joints for dodge ram 2500.
Best Overall:
Detroit Axle - 4PC Front Upper and Lower Ball Joints
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
For the price, these items are great. You can grease them as well, which adds to their life, and you get more out of your money. They fit perfectly in the dodge ram 2500 and some other models as well. Everything needed for installing them in the car like snap rings is included, which is very convenient.
Why it Stands Out to Us
These ball joints have been through rigorous testing regarding impact, wear, and fatigue to make sure they will withstand any harsh conditions and outlast even the OE or original equipment parts. You can also grease it, so it is easy to maintain. With a 10-year warranty backing it up, you can expect that your money will not go to waste.
Who Will Use This Most?
This ball joint kit has been precision-made to fit 4WD Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 of the extended crew cab body type. For more exact fittings, the sub-model compatibility includes Laramie, SLT, SXT, Power Wagon, Sport, TRX4, Crew, SLT big horn, Tradesman, Lone Star, R/T, Outdoorsman, SLT Sport, Laramie Longhorn, Laramie Limited, and Big Horn.
Bottom Line
Overall, this is our top pick for dodge ram items because it has been made according to OE quality and fit. It has compatibility with virtually all dodge ram trucks of 1500, 2500, and 3500 models. And despite all that, it has a very reasonable price.
Runner-up:
A-Team Performance Kit
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
These products seem of very high quality and are well-built. You can notice an improvement in driving after you install them. They fit perfectly and give no loose parts. For their reasonable price, you get a lot out of them and long life as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
These replacement ball joints have been designed and tested to outlast your OE parts, and they have a million-mile warranty. For ease of maintenance and durability, they have upper and lower parts that can be greased. This kit contains four ball joints, including both upper and lower clips and everything to install them.
Who Will Use This Most
Well, these items are precision-designed to fit the 2003-2013 dodge ram 2500 and 3500. It will not fit the 1500 model. For specific fitments, you should check with the manufacturer before buying. If you are looking to replace old parts, then these will be the perfect fit.
Bottom Line
In short, these are another one of the budget-friendly items. They will fit many of the dodge ram trucks, including the 2500. They are easy to maintain and service and promise to outlast your original ball joints. So, you shouldn’t need to replace these anytime soon.
Best for the Money:
MOOG Chassis Products K500316
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users report that this product gets installed very easily and quickly on the dodge ram 2500 truck. They seem to be well-built and provide a perfect fit for the truck. They are also very easy to maintain with their side grease fittings.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This ball joint has a pressed-in cover plate that keeps out any debris or contamination that might be harmful to the product hence increasing its life. The studs have been heat-treated to improve their resistance to fatigue. For lubrication, it has a design that you can grease and a gusher bearing metal-to-metal design that lets the lubricant in for reduced friction and smoother function.
Who Will Use This Most
This package contains only the upper ball joint for dodge ram 1500 4WD (2006-2008), dodge ram 2500 2WD/4WD (2007–2010), dodge ram 3500 2WD/4WD (2003–2010), ram 2500 2WD/4WD (2011–2013), and the ram 3500 2WD/4WD (2011–2017). Make sure that it is only the front upper ball joint that you want to replace.
Bottom Line
These ball joints have a comprehensible coverage for both domestic and foreign nameplates. They have been well-tested for a variety of conditions and promise to outlast your original parts. They have been carefully designed to absorb impact and make lubrication easy.
Best Moog Ball Joints:
Moog K7467
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
These ball joints do the job well. They are not the most durable, but given the price, they are a good tradeoff. A lot of people suggest freezing them overnight to make installation much easier. It will give you around 60 to 80 thousand miles if you install all four and not just one.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Moog makes high-quality aftermarket products that they do rigorous testing on to ensure they will give you long-lasting performance. Like the previous Moog ball joint that we reviewed, this one also features a pressed-in cover plate, heated stud, and slatted gusher bearing. The gusher bearing is powdered to make it more resistant to wear.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a front lower item, so make sure you insert it in the right place for a proper fit. This will fit in the dodge ram 1500 4WD (2006-2008), dodge ram 2500 2WD/4WD (2007–2010), dodge ram 3500 2WD/4WD (2003–2010), ram 2500 4WD (2011–2013), and the ram 3500 2WD (2011–2013).
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a low priced replacement joint, then these will do the job. They will fit the dodge ram 2500 and will offer consistent performance for a reasonable number of miles. It is suggested that you install all four ball joints to get the most out of them.
Best Dynatrac Ball Joints:
Dynatrac CR92-2X3050-A Pro
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
These are very high-quality ball joints, and you can tell that when you start driving. The difference is noticeable. They are very smooth and will fit perfectly. Their installation is very straightforward. They cost a lot more than others, but you definitely get the payback with their performance.
Why it Stands Out to Us
One of the top features of this product is that it is re-buildable. That means that you can change some parts (if they need changing) without having to completely remove the item. They are made using billet steel and have been heat-treated for durability. They also have seals to keep out contamination, and the internal wear points have been coated with Teflon.
Who Will Use This Most
This particular set is made for 2003 to 2012 dodge ram 2500 and 3500 4WD. It contains all four ball joints for front and back wheels with bolts and everything else you need to install them. They are more expensive, but if you are looking for a high-quality replacement that will last you longer than any other, then this is a better investment.
Bottom Line
Dynatrac has made these ball joints to not only replace OEM parts but also to improve upon their many shortcomings. Their product is made using only the best material like stainless steel, Chromoly steel, and Teflon coatings. Being adjustable is what gives them an upper hand over many other ball joints.
Best Adjustable Ball Joints:
Synergy MFG Ram 03-13 HD
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers’ reports show that buyers loved these. They are pretty high priced, but you can see that in their quality. Even if you do heavy-duty work like towing a vehicle, these ball joints will remain intact and not lose their performance.
Why it Stands Out to Us
They have been made using 4140 steel, and heat-treated, induction hardened, and ferritic nitro-carburized for durability and strength. They also include an adjuster tool for the lower joint. They also have dust boots to keep out debris. For ease of maintenance, the design can also be greased.
Who Will Use This Most?
This kit will fit your 2003–2013 Ram 2500 4WD, 2003–2012 3500 4WD, and 2006–2008 Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4WD. This kit contains all four ball joints for your truck and is re-buildable, so you will not have to change the entire ball joint ever again.
Bottom Line
Adjustable ball joints are always more convenient. They make things easy in case you need to change some parts but not the entire product. Their price makes some buyers drive away, but it is definitely worth the price down the road, and it is better than having to constantly change ball joints.
What Do I Need To Know Before Buying?
These are very small parts of your car, but a lot of design and manufacturing goes into making them. Before buying and installing them on your trucks, you should know if the model is exactly what you need.
Lower and Upper
A car has four wheels, and you need a ball joint for all of them. Not all kits will have all of them. Some might only have one or two. Lower ball joints are larger and wear out faster than upper ones because a lot of the frame’s weight rests on them.
Adjustable
Not all ball joints are adjustable. Adjustable models mean you don’t have to remove the control arm, and you can make A-Arm adjustments at the track.
Lubrication
Ball joints are often compared to the hip joint bone in our bodies. They are attached to the parts that are responsible for movement. This means they need to be frictionless and smooth for better movement. This is why you should check whether your ball joint has a good grease flow and if you can easily grease it.
OE
OE means original equipment. This refers to the original parts that come with your vehicle. The aftermarket parts that are designed according to OE parts are always a better option because each car has a different design, and you want your ball joint to fit perfectly and be tight.
A-Team Performance Kit
How to Replace Ball Joints on a Dodge Ram 2500
If you want to install the ball joint yourself, it is not too difficult. You can follow these steps to get the job done.
- Raise your vehicle up using a car lift or a floor jack.
- Take off your caliber and caliper bracket with a ratchet.
- To take the bearing assembly out, you have to take out four bolts on the top and bottom.
- Use ball joints press to remove the retaining clips.
- Install the new ball joint and put everything back together.
You can watch the video below for more instructions and tips.
Conclusion
Now that you know what you are looking for, you should have a better idea about what will fit in your truck and if a higher priced model is what you need or not. All these ball joints have been selected because they will fit your Dodge Ram 2500 perfectly and provide an improvement to the older ball joints.
People Also Ask
If you are still confused about ball joints and their functionality, read through these frequently asked questions below.
How Do You Know if Your Ball Joints Are Going Bad?
Three big telling signs of a bad ball joint include clunking noises from the front, excessive vibrations, and unsteady steering.
How Much Does a Ball Joint Press Cost?
A ball joint can cost somewhere around $30 or more, depending on the quality and your vehicle type. If you buy a full four-piece kit, it will cost more, i.e., in the hundreds.
How Long Should a Ball Joint Last?
On average, a good ball joint will last for 70,000 to 150,000 miles and maybe more.
Should I Replace Upper and Lower Ball Joints at the Same Time?
It is not necessary to replace them all at once. If you only have one defective ball joint, then just replace that. But you can do them all if you want.
Can You Replace Ball Joints at Home?
You can replace the ball joints at home. There are many helpful tutorials, and if you have done it before, it should not be too difficult.
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