QK4510 Ball Joint Kit for 2000-2002 Dodge Ram 2500, 3500

QK4510 Ball Joint Kit with Dana OEM Ball Joints for 2000-2002 Dodge Ram 2500, Ram 3500 includes Genuine Original Equipment Dana-Spicer Ball Joints (upper Ball Joint is Greaseable, Lower is factory lubed). Each Kit includes 2 Upper Ball Joints, 2 Lower Ball Joints, Ball Joint Hardware, Cotter Keys for the axle shaft nuts, 2 new QU10602 Self-Locking Nuts for the factory tie rod ends, Cotter Keys for aftermarket tie rod ends, QU40090 Axle Shift Unit Gasket (2000-02-1/2 with CAD), QU50048 Hose Clamp for vent hose, (2) S9978 Threadlocker, S81343 Anti-Seize, QT9404 Cosmic Brush, S82194 RTV Sealant, & (1) S20356 Brake Caliper Hardware Lubricant. QK4510 Ball Joint Kit fits all 2000 Dodge Ram 2500, 2001 Dodge Ram 2500, and 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 trucks. QK4510 Ball Joint Kit also fits on all 2000 Dodge Ram 3500, 2001 Dodge Ram 3500, and 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 trucks.

Need More Info? Use the handy Links below to access over 40 years of Dan's product and vehicle specific Tech Notes to easily get the information you need for your vehicle's repair, maintenance, or upgrade project!

Dan the Gear Man® Tech Notes:
Tools
Ball Joint, Upper Design Details
Lower Ball Joint Design Details 
Ball Joint Options 
Ball Joint Play 
1994-1999 vs 2000-2002 
Axle Disassembly 
Axles with CAD 
Inner Axle Seals 
Also Check 
Matching Parts
Applications

Tech Note 1: Tools
Dan the Gear Man® Recommended Optional Special Tools for This Kit: TS1065 Ball Joint Press Set, QT1008 Axle Shaft Nut Socket, QT1027 or QT1022 Hub Bolt Socket, QT1103 Driver Handle or QT1073 Air Hammer Attachment, and QT9216 Hex Bit Socket.

Tech Note 2: Ball Joint, Upper Design Details
The Upper and Lower Ball Joints on these axles are at different angles, in other words the vertical axis of the Upper and Lower Ball Joints are neither in-line or parallel to each other. To compensate for the different arcs of each Ball Joint during turns, the modest-sized, straight shank, .855" diameter stud of the greaseable Upper Ball Joint is vertically floating in a plastic sleeve. Consequently, the Upper Ball Joint does not support any weight, it merely keeps the knuckle in place. On these axles, the Upper Ball Joint is not really a Ball Joint at all, instead it is a floating King Pin that is smaller in diameter then King Pins found on 1966-1981 Ford F100 4x2 1/2 ton trucks and light 3/4 ton trucks with GVW's of 4,700 lbs-6,900 lbs.

Tech Note 3: Lower Ball Joint Design Details
The non-greaseable Lower Ball Joint is load bearing, in fact, the two Lower Ball Joints carry 100% of the front axle weight on your 2000-2002 Dodge Ram 2500 or 3500 truck. Dimensionally, the outside diameter of the Lower Ball Joint is only 3.5% larger than the Ball Joints used on 1972-1986 Jeep CJ's (and other light-duty models of that era) which has somewhere between 1/4 and 1/3 of the front axle weight of the Dodge Ram, plus both the Upper and Lower Ball Joints on the CJ are load bearing. In addition, the Ball Joints used on older models like the Jeep CJ and 1994-1999 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500* shared the same vertical centerline axis and were pre-loaded to compensate for wear. With the 2000-2002 front axle steering geometry using differing Ball Joint angles, no preload is possible, therefore, any wear means loose Ball Joints.

Tech Note 4: Ball Joint Options
Yes, lack of lubrication with the non-greaseable factory lower Ball Joints can be a factor; however, very few of the failed lower Ball Joints we cut apart are suffering from a lack of lubrication. Replacement Ball Joints in both greaseable and non-greaseable versions are available from us, plus there are even offset upper Ball Joints out there (which in my experience is both short-lived and of limited use). Installing Greaseable Ball Joints and regularly greasing them may provide longer service life, but with the 2000-2002 axle, chances are you will still need to replace the Ball Joints every three to five years. One would not mind the relatively short Ball Joint life so much if these trucks steered better than previous models, were not subject to "Death Wobble", or had longer tire life.

Tech Note 5: Ball Joint Play
I do not find any allowable Ball Joint tolerances in my Factory Dodge Ram Truck Service Manuals. Generally, with a solid axle, any side to side play is grounds for replacement. Some slight vertical play is probably acceptable for these years.

Tech Note 6: 1994-1999 vs 2000-2002
1994-1999 Dodge Ram trucks with the Dana 60 Front Axle have Lower Ball Joints that are nearly 10% larger than the 2000-2002 axle. Average Ball Joint life for 1994-1999 trucks is close to 150, 000 miles or 7 to 10 years. All 4 Ball Joints for those years carry weight and are pre-loaded to compensate for wear and dampen steering shocks. 

Tech Note 7: Axle Disassembly 
To replace your ball joints, you must remove the brake rotor, wheel hub, axle shaft assembly, and steering knuckle from the axle.

Tech Note 8: Axles with CAD 
If you are replacing the right ball joints on an axle with Central Axle Disconnect (CAD), engage four-wheel drive before starting disassembly. This will slide the CAD shift collar to the left and onto the differential output shaft splines. If you pull the shaft in 4x2 mode, the shift collar will drop out of position. If this happens, remove the CAD shift unit from the axle and align the collar. Always replace QU40090 CAD Housing Gasket if you remove the CAD Shift Housing.

Tech Note 9: Inner Axle Seals 
Given the era of trucks this Kit fits, it is recommended you replace the inner axle seals which can become hard and brittle with age. For Inner Axle Shaft Seal Kits with oil seals and installation tools see: QK4621 2000-2002 with CAD. and QK4802 2002 non-CAD. 
Left Seal, All Years: Pressed into the left axle tube next to the differential for all years. Differential removal is required. Use QU40298 Seal. 
Right Seal, 2000-2002.5 with CAD: Pressed in the axle tube outboard of the CAD shift unit. CAD shift unit and right axle shaft removal required to replace seal. Use QU40271 Seal.
Right Axle Seal 2002 without CAD: Pressed into the right axle tube next to the differential. Differential removal is required. Use QU40298 Seal.

Tech Note 10: Also Check 
When replacing your ball joints, ALWAYS inspect your Axle Universal Joints and Wheel Bearings/Hubs for wear or damage. The extra time needed to replace these components is minimal since you already have the axle apart to do the axle seals. Another thing to look for is evidence of oil on your inner axle shafts or in the axle tubes. If oil residue is present, it may mean your inner axle shaft oil seals are failing and should be replaced.

Tech Note 11: Matching Parts
Matching Parts for QK4510 Ball Joint Kit:
QK4776 Greaseable Replacement Ball Joint Set
QU30332 U-Joint with greaseable Hot-Forged Cross
TK40715 Premium non-greaseable U-Joint with Cold Forged Cross
TK40724 Premium greaseable U-Joint with Cold Forged Cross|
QU40090 CAD Housing Gasket for 2000-2002.5 with Central Axle Disconnect
QU40298 Inner Axle Shaft Oil Seal fits left side all 2000-2002 and right side on 2002 axles without CAD
QU40271 Right Inner Axle Shaft Oil Seal for 2000-2002.5 axles with CAD
QK4732 Outer Axle Shaft Nut and Washer Kit 
QU40359 18 Spline Right Inner Axle Shaft for 2000-2002 with CAD
TK40574 32 Spline Right Inner Axle Shaft 2002 without CAD
QU40469 Left Inner Axle Shaft 
QU10943 Differential Output Shaft 2000-2002.5 with CAD, 32 splines inboard x 18 splines outboard
QU40485 32 Spline Differential Gear Kit 
QU10963 Right Brake Shield for 2000-2002 Ram 2500, Ram 3500
QU10964 Left Brake Shield for 2000-2002 Ram 2500, Ram 3500
QU10594 Hub to Knuckle Bolt 
QK4555 Wheel Hub Kit for 2000-2002 Ram 2500, Ram 3500 with 4 Wheel ABS
QK4574 Wheel Hub Kit for 2000-2002 Ram 2500, Ram 3500 with Rear Wheel ABS
QU40367 Dana Original Equipment Model 60/70 Differential Cover Pan Gasket
QU42029 Dana Reusable Model 60 Differential Cover Pan Gasket 
QK4802 and QK4621 Inner Axle Shaft Seal Kits with Installation Tools
Dodge & Ram Shop Manuals

Applications:
Dodge Ram 2500, Ram 3500 4x4 Trucks: 2000, 2001, 2002