Lower ball joints 03 4x4

[AnEngineer]

I was reading in my Haynes manual about doing the lower ball joint on my 03 4x4 1500. It claims that you have to remove the lower control arm completely which involves taking the torsion bar out and a whole lot additional crap that I would like to avoid. Why can't I remove the knuckle and strut assembly and leave the lower arm on there and press the broken ball joint out like on the 4x2 model? Am I missing something?

 

[HeavyD]

do you have the factory service manual?

There is a link here somewhere for free copies.

 

[HeavyD]

& heres a vid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLKG-k9Yq44

 

[Hemi Ram]

I would just replace the lower control arms. A few bucks more but also will replace the bushings. If you live in the rust belt expect the eccentric bolts that hold the control arm on to be permanently rusted in place.. then just do the ball joint. I bought Moog lower control arms for my 06 for $ 65 each.

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