[dodge.ram]

About a month ago my upper ball joint popped out of the socket. Needless to say serious damage was done but only on one side.

Ive rebuilt the entire front end and the truck is riding absolutely terrible. Think lawn tractor with no suspension type ride.

Admittedly I haven't gotten a professional alignment yet but I know how to get it damn close myself. I find it hard to believe that a minor alignment adjustment would cause this.

More details on the ride- if you hit a bump the steering wheel will jerk violently to one side or the other. The truck won't drive straight over a rough patch in the road you will be all over the place. And God forbid you drive it in the rain cause when the passenger tire hits a puddle it's like you have spun the wheel a quarter turn to the right instantly.

2006 ram 1500 2wd

Steering rack damage internally maybe?

 

[Sixfive]

Maybe the rack or a a severe castor issue. Get under the truck and have someone turn the steering wheel back and fourth slowly and look at the steering shaft for slack before the tierod moves

 

[MisterGDRam]

That sounds bad.

 

[huntergreen]

ball popped out ? no warning? never heard of this.

 

[dodge.ram]

ball popped out ? no warning? never heard of this.

Search for my previous threads. There's pics of the damage

 

[canadian.bacon]

^
I had the same issues, over rough patches the truck would almost "shift" from one side to the other, violent steering movement too. it felt quite unstable.
After I got my alignment properly done, it all went away. It rides like a dream now.
They changed my steering wheel and screwed up my alignment big time.
I had bad camber, bad toe and bad caster.

 

[Omac]

I agree with the post above. Get the truck aligned you will be amazed what a difference it will make.

 

[dodge.ram]

I'll try to get it aligned tmrw. Thanks