Ball joint separation

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

masand

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2018
Posts
14
Reaction score
5
Location
Atlanta
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I’m considering a leveling kit that only uses spacers. I’ve seen some people comment about upper ball joint separation because of the geometry of the stock UCAs.

Has anyone had this happen? What is the failure mode? Is it catastrophic?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

ksn240

Senior Member
Joined
May 30, 2018
Posts
264
Reaction score
166
Location
Texas
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I doubt anybody has had it happen on a 2019 yet. The 4th gens were notorious for coming out of their socket. The 2019 upper control arm and ball joint is all new so nobody knows how it will hold up yet. I wanted piece of mind so I did the Readylift leveling kit with new UCAs.

If the ball joint fails and pulls out of the socket, the top of the spindle would be completely loose and generally the top of the wheel will fall toward the inside. Could be dangerous.
 

Accountant

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Posts
481
Reaction score
409
Location
CA
Ram Year
2019
Engine
Laramie Hemi 5.7L
Not 100% verified but many have commented that the uca that comes with the mopar 2" lift kit seems to be the exact same as the stock uca (part numbers are not the same) which would imply that stock uca is okay with a leveling kit.

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk
 

troutspinner

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Posts
1,256
Reaction score
435
Location
Gilbertsville, Pa
Ram Year
2019 Big Horn Crew Cab
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I’ve seen pictures of rams leveled without the arms and you can definitely see the angle compromised. Is it enough to have an issue? Who knows but I know for me, I wanted the arms to be certain I’d never have to worry about it. These trucks sticker for $50k+, to spend an additional $400 for the arms is change.
 

AnthonyD1978

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Aug 1, 2018
Posts
132
Reaction score
122
Location
N. Arizona
Ram Year
2019 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4
I’ve seen pictures of rams leveled without the arms and you can definitely see the angle compromised. Is it enough to have an issue? Who knows but I know for me, I wanted the arms to be certain I’d never have to worry about it. These trucks sticker for $50k+, to spend an additional $400 for the arms is change.

Agreed. We compared pics here on the forum when I did my Mopar 2" lift. There is defintely a difference between the UCAs.

Stock UCA with leveling kit:
0570d589-a2ba-4c2c-afe9-51d21d5fba18-jpeg.137448

Mine with Mopar UCA and lift:
539d2101-dbdf-4a0f-a02f-bde18d05d9de-jpeg.137454
 
OP
OP
M

masand

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2018
Posts
14
Reaction score
5
Location
Atlanta
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Thanks for the opinions everyone and especially for the photos, Anthony.

A picture is worth a thousand words.


2019 Laramie 2WD, 5.7 Hemi

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Jesus Deluna

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2018
Posts
4
Reaction score
12
Location
Texas
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7
I reached out to my local 4 wheel parts over this subject and they told me the uca that come with the 2" mopar lift are exactly the same as the stock uca. Not sure what to think....
 

troutspinner

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Posts
1,256
Reaction score
435
Location
Gilbertsville, Pa
Ram Year
2019 Big Horn Crew Cab
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I reached out to my local 4 wheel parts over this subject and they told me the uca that come with the 2" mopar lift are exactly the same as the stock uca. Not sure what to think....

There was a post on another forum that explained that they are not the same. While they look identical, the ball on the 2” lift arms rotate further.
 

Pull Ya

U.S. MARINE VETERAN
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Jan 16, 2012
Posts
15,787
Reaction score
23,056
Location
Cedar Creek, Tx
Ram Year
2015
Engine
5.7 Hemi
The last I heard is that 4 wheel parts will not install a "lift kit" ie; Bil. 5100's without also upgrading the UCA. Might just be the one here in Austin but they made it sound like a company wide policy. I agree that it is just good insurance.
Jay
 
Top