Dodge 2500 van ball joints. How bad is it going to suck?

So I gave my old 2000 Dodge Ramwagon 2500 passenger van to my father a year and a half ago when I bought my Suburban. He called me yesterday saying it broke down, and the suspension on the front is the culprit. He said the tire was leaning in at the top really badly, and thinks it may be a ball joint. I agree, but I have yet to see it. I know I had a shop do all the ball joints a few years back as I didn't have the time, or the large socket for R/R of the ball joints. I bought the parts with all intentions of doing the job, but then paid someone as I really didn't have time. He wants to have the van towed to my house as his normal mechanic is locked up because of a DUI. I really don't have the time or the want to do this job, but I know I will be doing it anyway.

How bad is going to suck? This all depends on if I can get the large weird socket of course to spin the old one out. Of course it depends on where it is broken as well.

If memory serves, it is the tops that are screwed in, lowers are pressed after a certain year. If you have the correct socket and a 3/4 inch drive breaker bar, they are fairly easy. Clean as much rust and road swarf off the bottom as you can, screw it out, and then be careful to start the new one back in the same threads the old one cut.

When I was about 16, I did a pair with a pipe wrench on my 66 Plymouth. The socket works better.

Your local auto parts store should have the socket. Chrysler used these ball joints for a lot of years and models. If your parts store doesn't have the socket, check your local circle track shop. These ball joints were commonly used.

I have a 2001, and am trying to get around to doing the same job (your dad's van's failure is prodding me to get a move on). The uppers are indeed threaded in on mine and take that big, weird socket.

I got the socket from Amazon... I'm going to be really bummed if I end up farming the job out. Especially since I hate having to go to a shop and say "yeah, I already have that parts since I meant to do this myself..."

I'm also wondering whether it would have made more sense to just get the refurbed upper control arms. Then you don't have to buy the socket, which offsets some of the difference in cost. You then don't have to deal with the upper ball joints, and you get fresh upper control arm bushings... I don't remember what the prices were, I'm afraid.

I can't address your '01, but my 1987 had screwed in. After applying heat, some bad words and finally heat and a bearing press, I relized they were screwed in. Came out of there hot and pissed off!

The heavier duty ones I reinstalled could be put in with a large open end wrench.

Dan

Well it looks like Clifford the Big Red Dodge won't need a new ball joint or two after all.

That is because he is now dead. Turns out the upper control arm attachment point on the "frame" rotted off, and was basically up against the engine block. I got pics earlier, and will post them later on when I get a chance. I don't know why I said it was a 2000, as I know it is an 01, or I guess it was.

Keep your eyes open for a cheap van guys. Pops needs a new one, and he doesn't have much money.

Dad needs a new van. he has my Suburban today, but that won't be viable for long. Keep your eyes peeled for a used work van in decent shape.

Chris

What is the budget? Also, what part of Mass are you in? Any preference to bowtie, blue oval or pentastar?

Found these on quick search on Boston CL (nmna):

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/ctd/4046518134.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/cto/4046282888.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/cto/4029113610.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/cto/4043070385.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/ctd/3988143849.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/cto/4038185310.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/cto/4037658737.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/4047850221.html

http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/4021134771.html

I think he should get a gm van myself. After driving my 2011 work van now for almost 2 years after owning dodges all these years, I can say the gm van is way better.

We live in south eastern mass, just off of Cape cod.

Chris

Check out the stance yo!!!

ewww, How the hell was that attached? Reminds me of the Mercedes self removing spring perches that were held on by like 5 spot welds that rusted away in under a decade.

Wait, wasn't it Daimler Chrysler back in 2000? I think I found the underlying problem.