I've done my whole front end suspension on my 04 Dodge Ram 1500 two-wheel drive twice and I'm about to do it for the third time and you don't need a spring compressor, you can just use the jack to lower the control arm, but what I do is tie a small chain around the spring to the frame just in case. And another tip is to leave the Jack under the control arm y-you're uninstalling it to take pressure off the bolts and also do it in reverse when you're installing raise the control arm with the Jack even so you can put the bolts on easier. The jack is your friend not your enemy. It also helps to take the wheel well guards off, it just gives you more room. Always do an alignment after suspension work.
Thanks guys! could use more commentary regarding tools used and socket sizes. But you did show me exactly what i needed to see. I was wondering how the spring would come out without compressing it first. Fixin to do the same repair on my ‘07 as part of my winter project. So, thanks again y’all.
Its safer using the jack method than a compressor. The compressor is sketch and could slip off in your hands. Also not many people really know how to properly use it and wind up renting a junkie cheap one from autozone. As long as you're infront of the truck away from the spring and let go slowly you'll be fine. Control arms are an easy job on 2wd, just gotta tighten everything and remember to mark the upper Control arms for an alignment
Just did my brother inlaws ball joints on the same truck yesterday. Wish I'd seen this video. Yall did the lower the easy way lol. I ground the lip of the ball joint and installed one with a snap wring.
Honestly its alot safer to drop the spring with a jack rather then the compressor. The compressor is sketch and could slip off in your hands while with a jack if you in front of the car like they were you'd be fine. Not many people really know how to properly use the compressor or want to buy it so they rent a junkie cheap one from autozone that's been beat up
On the bolt that’s close to the front end of the truck for your upper control arm you can bend back the plastic and you can get your ratchet wrench on there it’ll work. I always had that idea.
My 2003 RWD 1500 V6 3.7 clunks going over bumps,and shakes on freeway at like 65MPH lower control arms,sways been replaced,but not my upper control arms,and the boots leaked all the grease out when i just greased them?😊
The lower control arms with ball joint installed I saw are over 300$ I buy the ball joint alone for that. My upper ones I buy the control arm and ball joint installed it always seemed easier.
I got an 03 2500 and I think it has thus same problem it has a clacking noise when I go over hard bumps an it rides pretty rough steering also Jerks to the passenger side when I am going over 70 and hit hard bumps
I’d love to be a mechanic but man these hideous new vehicles even some American brands made stupid vehicles that just anger me. I can’t be a mechanic working in a shop or working in my own shop today with all this BS on the road. I’m glad you got a good old dodge to work on. These old dogs are easy to understand, you have room, they look good. I own a 2003 4x4 off road package rare model ram. 5.7 hemi. Man oh man I love that old truck I learned mechanics on it. I knew from TH-cam also.
I have a 2002 dodge ram 1500. That I'm thinking of getting rid of because the suspension is horrible, just wondering if I did all of what you did. Will it ride like new. ?
@@andrewcain6518 did u do it urself or have a shop do it? (If so how much did u pay) wondering if i should try doing it myself but if its not as much as i’d expect i rather pay lol
@@soxdavid801 yeah I did the rear shocks and driver's side front on a Saturday afternoon and the other side in about three hours on a Sunday. No air tools.
And that lower ball joint will press out. My control arm bushings were shot. So I had to pull them. But I was able to press the ball joint out. It didn't look replaceable but it was in my 05.
The wheel hub and upper A arm should have been the last to completely remove because it would keep the spring in place, all that jerking on the sway bar links you did with the spring able to go flying was sketchy, even had it bowed out with your face near it 🦷👀 be careful 👍🏻
Hi, Parker! We used upper and lower control arms, complete with ball joints and bushings, sway bar end links, and front shock absorbers. All of this was sourced from the local auto parts store. It's typically the easiest way to do it instead of beating the bushings and ball joints out and back in. -Tim
@@andrewcain6518 I just replaced everything recently and it wasn’t too bad. Had some help from a buddy and we knocked it out quick. But was in way better shape then what y’all were working on.
Beautiful, good job.
I've done my whole front end suspension on my 04 Dodge Ram 1500 two-wheel drive twice and I'm about to do it for the third time and you don't need a spring compressor, you can just use the jack to lower the control arm, but what I do is tie a small chain around the spring to the frame just in case.
And another tip is to leave the Jack under the control arm y-you're uninstalling it to take pressure off the bolts and also do it in reverse when you're installing raise the control arm with the Jack even so you can put the bolts on easier.
The jack is your friend not your enemy.
It also helps to take the wheel well guards off, it just gives you more room.
Always do an alignment after suspension work.
THAT jack was my enemy - it sucked, and was on it's last leg. We have a MUCH better jack now!
@@wornhub5568 y'all did a great job btw 👍
Thanks guys! could use more commentary regarding tools used and socket sizes. But you did show me exactly what i needed to see. I was wondering how the spring would come out without compressing it first. Fixin to do the same repair on my ‘07 as part of my winter project. So, thanks again y’all.
Its safer using the jack method than a compressor. The compressor is sketch and could slip off in your hands. Also not many people really know how to properly use it and wind up renting a junkie cheap one from autozone. As long as you're infront of the truck away from the spring and let go slowly you'll be fine. Control arms are an easy job on 2wd, just gotta tighten everything and remember to mark the upper Control arms for an alignment
Man I wish I had your attitude when work on my truck
This is great , feels like I'm holding the flashlight w the boys. Thanks for posting this
Just did my brother inlaws ball joints on the same truck yesterday. Wish I'd seen this video. Yall did the lower the easy way lol. I ground the lip of the ball joint and installed one with a snap wring.
Should you have the weight of the truck on the ground before you tighten the A-arm bolts?
Thanks for the video. I need to do this same exact job for my 05 Ram.
im about to do an entire overhaul on my 07 front end
@@vTacozzYT How’d it go?
Thank you for the very well done video. It is a great tutorial for me.
You are a fine mechanic! No way I am going to try all that on my truck though.
Thanks, Mr C!
Great video, thank you
Hey man. Great video with lots of information. 👍😁
Very useful for me, greetings from 🇲🇽!
Thanks, Fernando! -Tim
A lot of good work. Thanks
Our pleasure!
I didn't know you could drop the spring without compressing it. Thanks.
Honestly its alot safer to drop the spring with a jack rather then the compressor. The compressor is sketch and could slip off in your hands while with a jack if you in front of the car like they were you'd be fine. Not many people really know how to properly use the compressor or want to buy it so they rent a junkie cheap one from autozone that's been beat up
@@guacamoleweiner69 true
@@guacamoleweiner69another guy on here commented that he also drops the spring but ties a chain to the frame before hand.
On the bolt that’s close to the front end of the truck for your upper control arm you can bend back the plastic and you can get your ratchet wrench on there it’ll work. I always had that idea.
Great Work, Guys !
Buitiuful ,
My 2003 RWD 1500 V6 3.7 clunks going over bumps,and shakes on freeway at like 65MPH lower control arms,sways been replaced,but not my upper control arms,and the boots leaked all the grease out when i just greased them?😊
Good job bro
i have a question. i just noticed that my front end is sitting on its bump stops. is that a shock problem or a spring problem?
Could be both spring and
Shock, put it on a lift and see if any leaking oil from the Shock and if the springs are busted or worn
For the most part of it ... you did a great job
Good job amigo grasias dios los bendiga
The lower control arms with ball joint installed I saw are over 300$
I buy the ball joint alone for that. My upper ones I buy the control arm and ball joint installed it always seemed easier.
how long did the previous control arms last?
Did you replace those sway bar bushings? Sounded like they were still knocking!
I assume the only difference with a 4WD ram of a similar year, would be removal/replacement of the front half shafts?
I got an 03 2500 and I think it has thus same problem it has a clacking noise when I go over hard bumps an it rides pretty rough steering also Jerks to the passenger side when I am going over 70 and hit hard bumps
I’d love to be a mechanic but man these hideous new vehicles even some American brands made stupid vehicles that just anger me. I can’t be a mechanic working in a shop or working in my own shop today with all this BS on the road. I’m glad you got a good old dodge to work on. These old dogs are easy to understand, you have room, they look good.
I own a 2003 4x4 off road package rare model ram. 5.7 hemi. Man oh man I love that old truck I learned mechanics on it. I knew from TH-cam also.
Yeah this video is not for beginners no specs, tools name or sizes no close up views, some bolts we can't even see on this camera view🤦🏾
Hey what floor jack did you like? I am looking.
Harbor freight
I have a 2002 dodge ram 1500. That I'm thinking of getting rid of because the suspension is horrible, just wondering if I did all of what you did. Will it ride like new. ?
I just did this job, and I can't believe how good the ride is. The shocks were the most of it and are super easy to do
@@andrewcain6518 did u do it urself or have a shop do it? (If so how much did u pay) wondering if i should try doing it myself but if its not as much as i’d expect i rather pay lol
@@soxdavid801 yeah I did the rear shocks and driver's side front on a Saturday afternoon and the other side in about three hours on a Sunday. No air tools.
And that lower ball joint will press out. My control arm bushings were shot. So I had to pull them. But I was able to press the ball joint out. It didn't look replaceable but it was in my 05.
Around what price range would this come out to be for a customer? I need same thing done to my 2002 Ram
Did u manage to find an estimated price? Im getting this done on mine soon and wanted a good idea of how much
The wheel hub and upper A arm should have been the last to completely remove because it would keep the spring in place, all that jerking on the sway bar links you did with the spring able to go flying was sketchy, even had it bowed out with your face near it 🦷👀 be careful 👍🏻
Nice work fellows, it always helps to have assistance. What brand of lower control arms did you replace with? I have to do the same.
Roberto, we bought everything at AutoZone. Not a sponsor! - Tim
Good job guys
could you give me a list of parts used to replace the front end ?
Hi, Parker! We used upper and lower control arms, complete with ball joints and bushings, sway bar end links, and front shock absorbers. All of this was sourced from the local auto parts store. It's typically the easiest way to do it instead of beating the bushings and ball joints out and back in. -Tim
What are the nut torque specs for the ball joints and lower and upper control arms?
Till it smokes and back it off a 1/4 turn.
A1auto has a video with the torque specs and whatnot
about how long did it take for both side?
Took me 5 hours on the first side and half that on the second.
@@andrewcain6518 I just replaced everything recently and it wasn’t too bad. Had some help from a buddy and we knocked it out quick. But was in way better shape then what y’all were working on.
tims breathing like he just ran a mile
At 10:48 what the hell does Tim say?😁😁
Use jack stands if that jack slips or fails dude under the truck is gonna get hurt or dead.
Oh I see them jack stands now
@@tannerbegaye5648 - we ALWAYS use jack stands. In this video, the jack was only holding up the suspension so the coil spring wouldn't fly out. -Tim
Worthless
Much like your life, Putz!! You should stick to TelleTubby videos. . lol
@@BobSmith-mc7uq that’s exactly what this was shmuck . . Lol