We have a 2012 Ram 2500. Just turned 30,000 miles. Brought it in for a recall and oil change, and found that both upper and lower ball joints are shot. Does that seem right? We only haul our 5th wheel about 300 miles total per year. That's the only workout our truck gets.

Not right in my experience with two Rams. I'd get another opinion from a front-end guy I trusted.

We have it at a local shop that we trust. We'll see what he says, but my husband did say when the guy at the dealer showed him, there was play in the ball joints.

Could be. The cummins is a very heavy engine

Stock sized rubber or over sized tires?

Do you drive on lots of rough roads? I'm guessing yes, seeing you are in Michigan. Do you have a habit of turning the steering wheel while at a dead stop? This will also accelerate wear.That said.... Isn't it covered under warranty?

New ball joints needed at 30,000 miles? | Good Sam Community

coolbreeze01
Explorer
Dec 28, 2015
Not right in my experience with two Rams. I'd get another opinion from a front-end guy I trusted.
nano
Explorer
Dec 28, 2015
We have it at a local shop that we trust. We'll see what he says, but my husband did say when the guy at the dealer showed him, there was play in the ball joints.
rmoparman
Explorer
Dec 28, 2015
Could be. The cummins is a very heavy engine
45Ricochet
Explorer
Dec 28, 2015
Stock sized rubber or over sized tires?
carringb
Explorer
Dec 28, 2015
Do you drive on lots of rough roads? I'm guessing yes, seeing you are in Michigan. Do you have a habit of turning the steering wheel while at a dead stop? This will also accelerate wear.

That said.... Isn't it covered under warranty?
mkirsch
Nomad II
Dec 28, 2015
Wear items like brakes and ball joints are not covered under warranty.
DougE
Explorer
Dec 28, 2015
Were you experiencing any directional stability problems or is this just on the word of your dealer mechanic? (Yes, some dealer shops are predatory too!)
goducks10
Explorer
Dec 28, 2015
Not impossible but kinda rare with those miles if you're running stock tires. I read the Cummins forum and the majority of ball joint issues are guys with larger tires.
Got 32,000 on mine and no BJ issues.
rickeoni
Explorer
Dec 28, 2015
mkirsch wrote:
Wear items like brakes and ball joints are not covered under warranty.

I have never heard of ball joints not being covered by warranty.

Rick
Hannibal
Explorer
Dec 28, 2015
I replaced the ball joints on both of my 3rd gen 2500HD Rams before 100k miles. One Hemi and one Cummins. 300 lbs more on the front won't wear out ball joints prematurely. Lack of lubrication and no way to properly lube them will.