1998 DODGE RAM 1500 Ball joint

LOWER BALL JOINT
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - LOWER BALL
JOINT
To properly diagnose the lower ball joint two read-
ings from the dial indicator are necessary, The two
readings must be added together to find a total ball
joint movement as identified in the steps below.
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Attach a dial indicator with the indicator rest-
ing on the flat part of the steering knuckle by the
lower ball stud (Fig. 11).
(3) Set the dial indicator to zero.
NOTE: Use care not to damage the upper ball joint
grease seal.
(4) Pry between the knuckle and the axle tube
yoke next to the upper ball joint, Record the reading
on the dial indicatorThis will be the first reading
(Fig. 12).
(5) Set the dial indicator back to zero.
(6) Set up a jackstand and use a long prybar to lift
the knuckle assembly (Fig. 13), pry upwards on the
flat part of the steering knuckle next to the ball joint
stud and nut (Fig. 14) using the jackstand as lever-
age. Record the reading on the dial indicatorThis
will be the second reading.(7) Add the two reading together for a total lower
ball joint movement, If this reading is above 2.29 mm
(0.090 in) then replacement of the lower ball joint is
necessary (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/
LOWER BALL JOINT - REMOVAL).
Fig. 11 DIAL INDICATOR POSITION
1 - STEERING KNUCKLE
2 - DIAL INDICATOR
Fig. 12 FIRST READING
1-PRYBAR
2 - UPPER BALL JOINT
3 - GEASE SEAL
4 - STEERING KNUCKLE
Fig. 13 SECOND READING
1-PRYBAR
2 - DIAL INDICATOR
3 - JACK STAND
2 - 34 FRONT - LINK/COILDR

REMOVAL
(1) Remove lower snap ring from the lower ball
joint (Fig. 15).
(2) Position special tool 8975±2 (RECEIVER) and
8975±4 (DRIVER) with tool C4212±F as shown to
remove lower ball stud (Fig. 16).
INSTALLATION
(1) Position special tool 8975±1 (DRIVER) and
8975±3 (RECEIVER) with C4212±F as shown to
install lower ball stud (Fig. 17).
Fig. 14 PRYING LOCATION
1-PRYBAR
2 - UPPER BALL JOINT
3 - AXLE YOKE
4 - GRESE SEAL
5 - STEERING KNUCKLE
Fig. 15 LOWER SNAP RING
Fig. 16 LOWER BALL JOINT REMOVAL
1 - SPECIAL TOOL
C4212-F
2 - SPECIAL TOOL
8975-2
3 - KNUCKLE
4 - SPECIAL TOOL
8975-4
Fig. 17 LOWER BALL JOINT INSTALLATION
1 - SPECIAL TOOL
C4212-F
2 - SPECIAL TOOL
8975-1
3 - BALL JOINT
4 - KNUCKLE
5 - SPECIAL TOOL
8975-3
DRFRONT - LINK/COIL 2 - 35
LOWER BALL JOINT (Continued)

UPPER BALL JOINT
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - UPPER BALL
JOINT
To properly diagnose the upper ball joint two read-
ings from the dial indicator are necessary, The two
readings must be added together to find a total ball
joint movement as identified in the steps below.
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Attach a dial indicator with the indicator rest-
ing on either the front or back sides of the steering
knuckle as close to the upper ball joint as possible
(Fig. 18).
(3) Set the dial indicator to zero.
(4) Grab the tire by pushing in on the top of the
tire and pulling out on the bottom of the tire. Record
the reading on the dial indicatorThis will be the
first reading(Fig. 18).
(5) Set the dial indicator back to zero.
(6) Grab the tire by pulling in on the top of the
tire and pushing out on the bottom of the tire.
Record the reading on the dial indicatorThis will be
the second reading(Fig. 18).
(7) Add the two reading together for a total upper
ball joint movement, If this reading is above 1.52 mm
(0.060 in) then replacement of the upper ball joint is
necessary (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/UP-
PER BALL JOINT - REMOVAL).
REMOVAL
(1) Position special tool 6761 (RECEIVER) and
8445±3 (DRIVER) with C-4212±F as shown to
remove upper ball stud (Fig. 19).
INSTALLATION
(1) Position special tool 8445±2 (DRIVER) and
8975±5 (RECEIVER) with C-42121±F as shown to
install upper ball stud (Fig. 20).
Fig. 18 UPPER BALL JOINT MOVEMENT
1 - UPPER BALL JOINT
2 - AXLE YOKE
3 - DIAL INDICATOR
4 - STEERING KNUCKLE FLAT
Fig. 19 UPPER BALL JOINT REMOVAL
1 - SPECIAL TOOL
C4212-F
2 - SPECIAL TOOL
6761
3 - KNUCKLE
4 - SPECIAL TOOL
8445-3
Fig. 20 UPPER BALL JOINT INSTALLATION
1 - SPECIAL TOOL
C4212-F
2 - SPECIAL TOOL
8445-2
3 - BALL JOINT
4 - KNUCKLE
5 - SPECIAL TOOL
8975-5
2 - 36 FRONT - LINK/COILDR

HALF SHAFT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
HALF SHAFT
CAUTION.............................20
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING................20
REMOVAL.............................20
INSTALLATION.........................21
SPECIFICATIONS.......................21
SPECIAL TOOLS.......................21CV JOINT-OUTER
REMOVAL.............................22
INSTALLATION.........................23
CV JOINT-INNER
REMOVAL.............................25
INSTALLATION.........................25
HALF SHAFT
CAUTION
CAUTION:: Never grasp half shaft assembly by the
boots. This may cause the boot to pucker or crease
and reduce the service life of the boot.
Avoid over angulating or stroking the C/V joints
when handling the half shaft.
Half shafts exposed to battery acid, transmission
fluid, brake fluid, differential fluid or gasoline may
cause the boots to deteriorate. Failure to heed cau-
tion may result in damage.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
Check inboard and outboard C/V joint for leaking
grease. This is a sign of boot or boot clamp damage.
NOISE/VIBRATION IN TURNS
A clicking noise or vibration in turns could be
caused by a damaged outer C/V or inner tripod joint
seal boot or seal boot clamps. This will result in the
loss/contamination of the joint grease, resulting in
inadequate lubrication of the joint. Noise could also
be caused by another component of the vehicle com-
ing in contact with the half shafts.
CLUNKING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION
This noise may be a damaged or worn C/V joint. A
torn boot or loose/missing clamp on the inner/outer
joint which has allowed the grease to be lost will
damage the C/V joint.
SHUDDER/VIBRATION DURING ACCELERATION
This could be a worn/damaged inner tripod joint or
a sticking tripod joint. Improper wheel alignment
may also cause a shudder or vibration.
VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS
This problem could be a result of out of balance
front tires or tire/wheel runout. Foreign material
(mud, etc.) packed on the backside of the wheel(s)
will also cause a vibration.
REMOVAL
(1) With vehicle in neutral, position vehicle on
hoist.
(2) Remove half shaft hub nut.
(3) Remove brake caliper and rotor.
(4) Position hydraulic jack under lower suspension
arm and raise jack to unload rebound bumper.
(5) Remove lower shock absorber bolt.
(6) Remove upper ball joint nut and seperate ball
with Remover 8677 (Fig. 1).
(7) Disengage inner C/V joint from axle shaft with
two pry bars between the C/V housing and axle hous-
ing.
Fig. 1 UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
1 - UPPER CONTROL ARM
2 - REMOVER
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
3 - 20 HALF SHAFTDR

(8) Tilt knuckle out and push half shaft out of the
knuckle (Fig. 2).
(9) Remove half shaft from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Clean hub bearing bore, hub bearing mating
surface and half shaft splines.
(2) Apply a light coating of grease to the front axle
shaft output splines.
(3) Install half shaft into the knuckle (Fig. 3).(4) Install half shaft on axle shaft. Push firmly to
engage axle shaft snap ring into the inner C/V hous-
ing.
(5) Install upper ball joint into the knuckle.
(6) Install upper ball joint nut and tighten to spec-
ification.
(7) Install lower shock absorber bolt and tighten to
specification.
(8) Install brake rotor and caliper.
(9) Install half shaft hub nut and tighten to 251
N´m (185 ft. lbs.).
SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Half Shaft Nut 251 185 -
SPECIAL TOOLS
Fig. 2 STEERING KNUCKLE
1 - STEERING KNUCKLE
2 - SHOCK
3 - HALFSHAFT
4 - DISC BRAKE CALIPER
5 - HUB/BEARING
Fig. 3 HALF SHAFT AND HUB/BEARING
1 - HUB/BEARING MOUNTING NUTS
2 - HALF SHAFT
CLAMP INSTALLER C-4975A
DRHALF SHAFT 3 - 21
HALF SHAFT (Continued)

CV JOINT-OUTER
REMOVAL
(1) Clamp shaft in a vise (with soft jaws) and sup-
port C/V joint.
CAUTION: Do not damage C/V housing or half
shaft.
(2) Remove clamps (2) (4) with a cut-off wheel or
grinder (Fig. 4).
(3) Slide the boot down the shaft.
(4) Remove lubricant to expose the C/V joint snap
ring.(5) Spread snap ring (1) and slide the joint off the
shaft (Fig. 5).
(6) Slide boot off the shaft and discard old boot.
(7) Mark alignment marks (1) on the inner race/
hub (2), bearing cage (3) and housing with dabs of
paint (Fig. 6).
(8) Clamp C/V joint in a vertical position in a soft
jawed vise.
(9) Press down one side of the bearing cage (3) to
gain access to the ball at the opposite side.
NOTE: If joint is tight, use a hammer and brass drift
to loosen the bearing hub. Do not contact the bear-
ing cage with the drift.
Fig. 4 BOOT CLAMP LOCATIONS
1 - C/V HOUSING
2 - CLAMP
3 - HALF SHAFT
4 - CLAMP
5 - C/V BOOT
Fig. 5 OUTER C/V JOINT
1 - SNAP RING
2 - SNAP RING GROVE
3 - SNAP RING PLIERS
Fig. 6 BEARING ACCESS
1 - ALIGNMENT MARKS
2 - BEARING HUB
3 - BEARING CAGE
4 - HOUSING
Fig. 7 BEARING
1 - HOUSING
2 - INNER RACE/HUB
3 - BEARING CAGE
4 - BALL
3 - 22 HALF SHAFTDR

(10) Remove ball (4) from the bearing cage (3) (Fig.
7).
(11) Repeat step above until all six balls are
removed from the bearing cage.
(12) Lift cage and inner race (2) upward and out
from the housing (1) (Fig. 8).
(13) Turn inner race 90É in the cage and rotate the
inner race/hub out of the cage (Fig. 9).INSTALLATION
NOTE: If C/V joint is worn, replace entire C/V joint
and boot.
(1) Clean all C/V joint components and shaft.
(2) Apply a light coat of grease supplied with the
joint/boot to the C/V joint components before assem-
bling them.
(3) Align the inner race, cage and housing accord-
ing to the alignment reference marks.
(4) Insert the inner race into the cage (Fig. 10) and
rotate race into the cage.
(5) Rotate the inner race/hub in the cage (Fig. 11).
(6) Insert cage into the housing (Fig. 12). Rotate
the cage 90É into the housing so the large bearing
hub counterbore is facing outwards.
Fig. 8 CAGE AND INNER RACE/HUB
1 - HOUSING
2 - INNER RACE
3 - CAGE WINDOW
Fig. 9 INNER RACE/HUB
Fig. 10 INNER RACE/HUB
1 - INNER RACE/HUB
2 - BEARING CAGE
Fig. 11 CAGE AND INNER RACE/HUB
1 - CAGE WINDOWS
2 - SNAP RING
DRHALF SHAFT 3 - 23
CV JOINT-OUTER (Continued)

(7) Apply the grease supplied with the joint/boot to
the ball races. Spread the grease equally between all
the races.
(8) Tilt inner race/hub and cage and install the
balls (Fig. 13).
(9) Place new clamps onto new boot and slide boot
onto the shaft to it's original position.
(10) Apply the rest of grease to the C/V joint and
boot.
(11) Install the joint onto the shaft. Push the joint
onto the shaft until the snap ring seats in the groove
(Fig. 14).NOTE: Pull on the joint to verify the span ring has
engaged.
(12) Position the boot on the joint in it's original
position.
NOTE: Verify boot is not twisted and remove any
excess air.
(13) Secure both boot clamps (Fig. 15) with Clamp
Installer C-4975A. Place tool on clamp bridge and
tighten tool until jaws of the tool are closed.
Fig. 12 BEARING CAGE AND HOUSING
1 - OUTER RACE
2 - BEARING CAGE WINDOW
3 - CV JOINT HOUSING
Fig. 13 BALL BEARING
1 - C/V HOUSING
2 - INNER RACE/HUB
3 - BEARING CAGE
4 - BEARING
Fig. 14 OUTER C/V JOINT
1 - SNAP RING
2 - SHAFT TAPER
3 - SNAP RING GROVE
4 - BEARING HUB
Fig. 15 BOOT CLAMP LOCATIONS
1 - C/V HOUSING
2 - CLAMP
3 - HALF SHAFT
4 - CLAMP
5 - C/V BOOT
3 - 24 HALF SHAFTDR
CV JOINT-OUTER (Continued)