A few years ago the tire shop said I needed Outer tie rods then and inners before too long. I got the outers done and am now going to do the inners. My cousin usually does work on my truck that I am unable to. My steering seems fine. My question is, while I am having him replace the inner tie rods, is there any reason to replace the ball joints or anything in the suspension while he's at it, just for avoiding repeat labor? 2003 Ram 3500 2WD 220,000 miles.

Your lucky you dont have a 4x4. Look up Dodge death wobble. At 220K miles I would be looking at rebuilding the entire front end.

I would replace the ball joints at 220k. I've seen what happens when one fails and the tire assembly falls off. It would be especially bad pulling a trailer. Agree with above poster and would rebuild the front end.

I wouldn't have them replace the ball joints unless they check them and there's play in them.

At 220K I would replace everything if you plan on keeping the truck.

IMO you might as well do it all while you have it in the shop having front end work done anyway. Ball joints aren't all that expensive, but if you have to have it done on the road, it can cost lots more. Penny wise, pound foolish.

Front end work | Good Sam Community

donn0128
Explorer II
Nov 13, 2018
Your lucky you dont have a 4x4. Look up Dodge death wobble. At 220K miles I would be looking at rebuilding the entire front end.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Nov 13, 2018
I would replace the ball joints at 220k. I've seen what happens when one fails and the tire assembly falls off. It would be especially bad pulling a trailer. Agree with above poster and would rebuild the front end.
ib516
Explorer II
Nov 13, 2018
I wouldn't have them replace the ball joints unless they check them and there's play in them.
Tyler0215
Explorer
Nov 13, 2018
At 220K I would replace everything if you plan on keeping the truck.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Nov 13, 2018
IMO you might as well do it all while you have it in the shop having front end work done anyway. Ball joints aren't all that expensive, but if you have to have it done on the road, it can cost lots more. Penny wise, pound foolish.
transamz9
Explorer
Nov 13, 2018
You normally have to buy upper control arms the first time you change ball joints. Not a big deal though.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Nov 13, 2018
Not alot of repeat labor to unhook the tie rods in the future. Like 5 minutes a piece.
albow
Explorer
Nov 14, 2018
donn0128 wrote:
Your lucky you dont have a 4x4. Look up Dodge death wobble. At 220K miles I would be looking at rebuilding the entire front end.
Yeah, I've heard about that.
albow
Explorer
Nov 14, 2018
Well, it looks split on the ball joints, which was what I was thinking maybe on too. My cousin said he'd check them while fixing and I'll wait if still good. Thanks.
albow
Explorer
Nov 14, 2018
Hey, there are several different looking pics of inner tie rod ends that supposedly fit my truck. Not sure which I need. Is this it? It says so but with all the different looking pics I don't know. https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1057062&cc=1413559&jsn=2408&jsn=2408&jsn=2408&jsn=2408&jsn=2408

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