Replacing upper and lower ball joints is somewhat involved on any 4-wheel drive vehicle (if not very involved) depending on your mechnical expertise. You do need certain non-routine tools to do the job right. Of coure you need an alignment too once they are together. If it were me, I would have a professonal do it as you don't want to get it wrong since it is someting that can spell disastor.

 

Im not 100% on the offset but definitely go with the better quality, you get what you pay for (most of the time) and ball joints are not something you want to penny pinch on. If you plan on doing ALOT of off roading, check out Carli Suspension's web site, they have quality, rebuildable ball joints that are race proven.

 

Look for the Moog joints, they are greasable, which for the life of me, I can't see why chrysler didn't allow for any kind of servicing on them.

 

I'm not sure about the newer models, but on my second gen, the ball joints were riveted on.
I changed mine a couple of weeks ago, and it took forever.
I had to grind off the heads of the rivets, drill them out, and then pound them out with a hammer.

I would take it and get a quote.
If, like me, you were quoted $1400, do it yourself.
But if you get a quote for less than $600 or $700, let the shop do it.

 

I agree...look for MOOG or NAPA ball joints which are greasable.

It's pretty straight forward. If you have the originals they are probably press fit in and riveted so you'll have to press the old ones out.

Good luck!

 

Moog, they are the best.

Changing them is not too hard, but I suggest taking it to an alignment shop once back together, and have it checked.

 

Thanks for all the info and help. I went with MOOG ball joints. I also need front drive axle U-Joints and it doesn't look like MOOG makes those. Is there any brand I should look for on those? Thanks again.

 

Spicer has worked well for me over the years.

http://www.spicerparts.com/driveshaft/automotive.asp

 

Quad4x4.com, google search they have u-joints and ball joints for the AAM axle.

 

It is not that hard to change them I did all 4 on a 1995 1500 4x4 in about 5--6 hours and saved like $800 hay learn how to do it yourself and you dont have to pay someone else $80 per hour to do it Yes you will have to get it alignment after just my 2 cents