I've looked at the situation and it looks like I might have to pull the whole knuckle off to get at the ball joint. also I am starting to understand that I will have to do the lower joint in order to get at the upper.I looking for a %26quot;how to%26quot; to walk me through changing out an upper ball joint on a '97 dodge ram 3500 4x4. Can?you do have to pull the complete knuckle assembly off it to get the ball joints off, the problem you,ll have will be the bearing assembly is going to be frozen on it and it will probably ruin it by the time you get it off,even soaking it real good with penetrating oil may not help it that much,there's also the issue your going to run in to on removing the axle from it,if your not real careful you,ll damage the inner seal in the differential unit and it will leak real bad once its put back together again,and you will have to remove the lower ball joint because the press wont have enough room to clear and press both of them out,and be real careful which one you put back in first,or else you,ll wind up taking one of them back out to get the other one back in,i did one this week and im telling you the bearing isn't going to fall strait out in your hands,its not going to be easy,good luck.I looking for a %26quot;how to%26quot; to walk me through changing out an upper ball joint on a '97 dodge ram 3500 4x4. Can?in fact you do have to pull the knuckle off to do the ball joints. and yes you have to do the lower ball joint to do the upper one. you need a ball joint press and the cones for the truck. not too bad of a job but can be a hassle if things are rusted and seized in there.
take off tire.
disconnect brake caliper and rotor.
disconnect tie rods.
loosen ball joint nuts but leave them on.
smack knuckle with hammer at ball joint to release ball joints.
take off axle nut.
disconnect three bolts for bearing. (back side of knuckle).
position the ball joint press to press out upper ball joint.
position ball joint press to press out lower ball joint.
re assemble in reverse order.
