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Old 05-03-2018, 06:15 PM   #21
BamaRam
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I just put a new front end under my 04.5 at 102k. I ordered the parts and did it myself. Moog Upper and lower CAs, tie rod ends, sway bar links and bushings, spring insulators, OEM springs and brakes, Monroe reflex shocks.

The intent was to get rid of the "lubed for life" parts and several grease boots were rotten. As far as wear, I found the left lower ball joint had about .025 play. I imagine this was the occasional pop i had when hitting a bump at certain radius turns. Additionally the LCA bushings were rotten and cracked. Could not get any play out of them, they just looked toasted.

Before i started my truck pulled to the right and the wheel was off to keep it straight. And it was raked to the front indicating weak springs.

I marked the UCA bushing mount position before tearing down and mounted the new ones in the same spot. The alignment tech didnt have to touch them. Just had to set the tow. Says a lot for Moog parts.

I don't know if you have a 2wd or 4wd, but if it's a 2wd and you want to replace the springs, no one (that I could find) markets them but Supersprings (SuperCoil). I didnt buy them because when I pulled the label off the stock springs, they had different part numbers. This tells me that one side of the truck is heavier than the other and the Supercoils don't compensate for it like the OEMS. I didnt want to take a chance.

The result of all this is it's like driving a new truck. Lifted front end about an inch and holds the road.

UCA and/or LCA bushing may be the problem with the camber. It difficult to determine if they are bad unless out of the truck or bolts loosened.

If you have a 2wd and decide to do it yourself let me know and i can give you some pointers.
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Old 05-03-2018, 06:41 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by V2wings View Post
Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I HAVE a 2005 2500 Ram with 78900 miles that I just had to rebuild the whole front end. It JUST seems that it should have lasted longer that that. I'm worred that it might be an expensive on going problem.
Those lube for life components don't last for life. If the installer used parts with grease fittings and you grease them you should be good for a while. Did they install new springs?
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Old 05-04-2018, 06:27 AM   #23
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No new springs. Also the truck is a 4x4
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Old 05-07-2018, 10:45 AM   #24
Nlambert
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Yep...

I've got a 2012 Ram 2500 with 84k miles. Between 50-80k I have replaced:

Both front hubs
both tie rods
both end links
both sway bar bushings
track bar
Installed a steering stabilizer brace
steering dampener
shocks

The only thing left at this point are ball joints. The truck is good and tight now but it took me 2 years to get it there.
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Old 05-08-2018, 05:00 PM   #25
SleepsInLakes
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I had a 2006 Ram 1500 MegaCab which shares a limited amount of parts with the 2500 as they are on the same chassis.

At <5 years and 48k miles - Both front sway bar links were replaced. Was notified steering rack was leaking at both ends.
3 years later at 72k - Steering rack was replaced
1 yr later - Steering pump replaced
10 yrs old - 100k miles - Ball joints and other front end components needed replacing. Traded in truck on a new one.

My truck was a gasser.
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Old 05-08-2018, 05:13 PM   #26
mcomeaux
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Had a 2002 2500 5.9 needed lower ball joints and tie rod ends after 21K dealer did it under warranty....drove another 100k with no further problems..
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Old 05-08-2018, 05:31 PM   #27
BamaRam
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SleepsInLakes View Post
3 years later at 72k - Steering rack was replaced
1 yr later - Steering pump replaced
I know it's a little late for you but maybe this will help someone. Some 3rd gen rams have power steering caps that don't vent. Pressure builds up in the PS reservoir and causes excess pressure in the system. When the engine is not running, pull the PS cap off and see if it releases pressure. If it does the cap is not venting. A replacement cap may or may not fix the problem. I repaired my cap and the rack stopped leaking.
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Old 05-09-2018, 01:46 AM   #28
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Other than Racebug, it looks like most of the problem trucks are 3/4 ton Rams.
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Old 05-09-2018, 08:38 AM   #29
gkainz
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I had my guy rebuild my front end on my '07 Ram 2500 CTD with 3500 front end parts - tie rods, drag link, etc ... all a direct fit replacement except the knuckles had to be reamed out to accept the larger tie rod ends.

The other upgrade I did on my '97, and considering for my '07 is the DSS ... Dodge Steering Brace or originally Darin's Steering Brace.
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Old 05-30-2018, 11:01 AM   #30
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Have a 2012 Ram 3500. Replaced the ball joints at about 130,000 miles. Seem to be still tight at 170,000 miles.
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