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FRONT AXLE AND STEERING PARTS FOR 2003 & NEWER
DODGE 2500 AND 3500 4X4 TRUCKS

Restore safety and dependability to your Dodge with these top quality QuadKits™ for all 2003 and newer Dodge 2500 and 3500 front axles (all these trucks have the American Axle Manufacturing  AAM 925 9.25" ring gear 14 bolt front beam axle).  These comprehensive kits include the parts, tools, and chemicals to do a pro-quality job!   Need it in a hurry?  Expedited air shipment is available at extra cost.  Call 406-446-2427 for details.

BALL JOINTS Axle Assembly    
AXLE U-JOINTS      
BALL JOINT QUADKITS


QK4586 Ball Joint Kit


!!!!OPTIONAL!!!!!
QT1082 Ball Joint Press Set
Extra long reach ball joint press easily removes and installs the ball joints on your 2003-up Dodge. Also installs the lower ball joint seal. Included in our QK4612 and QK4613 Kits.  Also available as a stand-alone kit from our Dodge Tools Page. Adapters are available for many other applications

TSB4586 Photo

Why wait? DOWNLOAD to your computer now!
NEW!
Color Illustrated
Tech Service Bulletin
TSB4586DL
 
4x4 Dodge Truck Ball Joint Service 9.25 AAM Axle
Includes 6 pages, 22 Color photos, detailed step-by-step service procedures and torque specifications! 616KB.
Only $4.49


TSB4586
Printed Version
$7.99 ppd.
(mailed First Class to US addresses only)


Ball Joint Kit for AAM 925 W2500/3500 front axles.  Replace those worn ball joints on your Heavy Duty Dodge Truck yourself!  Each kit includes your choice of either 4 redesigned Original Equipment AAM Non-Greaseable replacement ball joints or 4 Premium quality GREASEABLE Dana made Ball Joints for heavy-duty applications like snow plowing.  All Kits also come with new locking nuts for the tie rod ends, cotter keys for the axle shaft nuts, Threadlocker, anti-seize, and synthetic brake caliper lube. 
QK4586C AAM 925 Ball Joint Kit NO tools for 2003-up 2500/3500 4x4


QK4586C.5  AAM 925 Ball Joint Kit NO Tools for 2003-up 2500/3500 4x4.  For 1 side only


QK4611C AAM 925 Ball Joint Kit with Socket Driver, 1/2" drive impact sockets for axle shaft nut and hub bolts plus a metric hex bit.


QK4612C  AAM 925 Ball Joint Kit Master Kit complete with Press Set, and the parts and tools included in our QK4611 Set.


QK4613C AAM 925 Ball Joint Kit with Press Set but NO other tools.


 
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Our TSB's and Manuals Make Great Gifts!!!

AXLE UNIVERSAL JOINT KIT for 2003-up Dodge Ram

TK40444 Axle U-Joint Kit for AAM 925 Front Axle
TK40444
Axle U-Joint Kit

 

 
*Download* Now!
TSB4597DL
Dodge Truck 9.25 AAM Axle Shaft Service

Includes 14 color photos, 4 pages, detailed step-by-step procedures and torque specs!  1.15 MB. Adobe pdf version. only $3.49


 

 

Axle U-Joint Kits  with PREMIUM  non-greaseable, factory lubed axle u-joints.   The AAM Front Drive Axle used on 2003-2009 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4 trucks uses axle u-joints that have a unique lock-up dimension.   However, even though the u-joints are very similar in overall size to those used on the Dana axles previously used by Dodge, the u-joints are not interchangeable which has led to some real problems from trying to force u-joints made for Dana axles into AAM axle shafts due to gross catalog application errors by almost all aftermarket u-joint suppliers.    Another problem is original equipment AAM brand universal joints have been associated with some durability problems, so until we introduced our QU40765 Axle Joint (QK4597) in 2006, there was no high-quality, properly sized u-joint available for the AAM 925 axle.   Now for 2009, we are introducing our New TK40444 Torque King® Cold-Forged, Factory Lubed Universal Joint and TK40446 Torque King® Cold-Forged, Greaseable Universal Joint for your most demanding applications. 

QU40765 Factory-Lubed Axle U-joints for 2003-up Ram 2500 and Ram 3500.  This Heavy-Duty, USA made, Universal Joint features metal backed, double lip seals, and a large grease reservoir in each journal.  $124.98


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 Torque King® Axle U-Joints for 2003-up Ram 2500 and Ram 3500.  Ultra-strong Universal Joints feature super-thick cold-forged cross with thick-wall journals for maximum strength, plus the triple lip cup seals are the ultimate for keeping grease in and water or other contaminants out.  Assembled in U.S.A. using both domestic and imported components. Available Now!


 
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WHEEL BEARING HUB KIT for 2003-upRam  2500/3500


QK10890Kit
Hub for Dodge Ram

Front Wheel Bearing and Hub Assemblies. The front wheel bearings on 2003-up Dodge 4x4 3/4 and 1 ton trucks are of unitized construction.  They are not serviceable and no replacement parts are available for them.  If your front wheel bearings are noisy or loose, you need to replace the hub and bearing assembly with one of these OEM quality hub assemblies. 

Wheel Hub Kit 2003-up Dodge Ram

QK10890KIT Front Wheel Hub for 2003-2009 2500 and 3500 4x4 trucks.  Includes one Hub Assembly with ABS pickup and wire, 8 studs, & chemical pack.  $374.95


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Inner Axle Oil Seal Kits
QK4685 for the AAM 925 Front Drive Axle installs the Inner Axle Seals on all 2003-2009 Dodge Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 4x4 trucks.  Kit includes T1143 Seal Installer, T1193 Thrust Plate, T1195 Press Screw Assembly, and (2) QU10945 Seals. Specifically made to easily install QU10945 Genuine AAM Axle Seals without damaging the rather delicate seals or your  Axle Adjuster Threads which are machined in the housing. $174.99


 
QU10945-2 Inner Axle Seals for AAM 925 front axles which are found on all 2003-2009 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4 trucks.  These high-quality, USA made, oil-bath type Seals are genuine AAM parts. $62.98  


TS4685 Tool Set Only is available from our Front Axle Shaft Seal Tools Web Page.  Same as QK4685, except this Kit does NOT include the Seals.  
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Differential Parts for AAM925 Axles in 2003-up Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4 Trucks
  QU50248  Internal Differential Gear Set for 2003-up AAM 925 front axle in Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4 trucks.  Includes 2 Side Gears, 2 Pinion Mate Gears, 4 Thrust Washers, Cross Shaft, and Lock Bolt.  $239  
  Good Used 3.73 Ring and Pinion Set  
Good Used Loaded Differential Assembly for AAM 925 front axle. Out of Stock.


 
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  Good Used Differential Cover  
Good Used Right Axle Shaft with new universal joint.  Shafts are in good condition, tin slinger is slightly damaged. Out of Stock.


 
  Good Used Right Steering Knuckle  
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Small Parts


Axle Shaft Nut & Washer Kit

QK4732 Replacement Axle Shaft Nut and Washer package for all 2003-up Dodge Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 4x4 trucks.  Use to replace damaged or worn nuts or washers. Made in U.S.A.  Kit includes 2 nuts and 2 washers. $25

Note:  For torque specs download TSB4586 above left.


QK4732.5 Axle Shaft Nut & Washer.  Includes 1 Washer & 1 Nut.  For 1 side only. $14.97  


 
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QU10863 AAM 925 Pinion Nut QU10863 Pinion Nut $6.50


 
QU10862 Crush Sleeve AAM 925 QU10862 Spacer $3.95


 
QU10864 AAM 925 Pinion Washer QU10864 Pinion Washer $1.75


 
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QU10865 Pinion Seal AAM 925 QU10865 Front Pinion Seal for 9.25 AAM Axle. $19.95


 
     
     
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Individual Ball Joints for AAM 925 2003-up W2500/3500 Front Axles
  QU50111 Lower Ball Joint, non-greaseable.  (Order QU50112 Seal separately.) $59.95 each


  QU50112 Lower Ball Joint Seal for QU50111 $7.95 each


  QU50110 Lower Ball Joint Nut for QU50111 $5.95 each


  QU50109 Retaining Ring for Lower Ball Joint QU50111 $5.65 each


  QU50108 Upper Ball Joint, non-greaseable.  Includes ball joint seal. $69.95 each


  QU50107 Upper Ball Joint Nut for QU50108 $4.95 each


  QU50217 Lower Ball Joint, greaseable.  Also includes ball joint seal, nut, retaining ring, grease fitting, and grease plug.  $114.95 each


  QU50218  Upper Ball Joint, greaseable.  Also includes ball joint seal, nut, and grease fitting. $114.95 each


  QU10685 Lock Nut for Tie Rod.  (Non re-useable.)  $6.95 each


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  Hub Retaining Bolt Set/td>
  Pinion Seal Kit

Dan the Gear Man® Tech Note:
Worn Out Ball Joints on 2003-up Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Trucks

Premature Ball Joint failures on 2003-up Ram Trucks is a reoccurring problem that will probably plague these trucks for their entire life due to the size of the Ball Joints and the steering geometry of the AAM 9.25" axle. 

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 inline or parallel to each other.   To compensate for the different arc of each Ball Joint during turns, the modest sized, straight shank, 7/8" diameter stud of the Upper Ball Joint is vertically free-floating in a 1" long sleeve.   Consequently, the Upper Ball Joint does not support any weight, it merely keeps the knuckle in place.  On the AAM axle, the upper Ball Joint is not really a Ball Joint at all, instead it is a floating King Pin that is about the same diameter as the 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..

The Lower Ball Joint is load bearing, in fact, the two Lower Ball Joints carry 100% of the front axle weight on your 2003 or newer Dodge Ram truck.  Dimensionally, the outside diameter of the Lower Ball Joint is only 4% 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 AAM front axle steering geometry using differing Ball Joint angles, no preload is possible, therefore, any wear means loose Ball Joints. 

Yes, lack of  lubrication with the non-greaseable factory AAM Ball Joints can be a factor, however very few of the failed 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 quad4x4.com, plus there is even an offset upper Ball Joint 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 AAM axle, chances are you will need to replace the Ball Joints on your 2003-up Ram 2500 or Ram 3500 4x4 truck every two to three years.  One would not mind the 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.

I found it very interesting that the 2003 Dodge Ram Truck Service Manual does NOT give any specifications for allowable Ball Joint movement or looseness, yet later manuals allow for up to an amazing 0.090"  of vertical movement and 0.060" of horizontal play.  You can interpret this information any way you want, but my experience has been that anything more than a fraction of the amount of play Dodge says is permissible will adversely affect steering and tire wear on the AAM 925 axle.  (Note: 1/16" = 0.0625")

*1994-1999 Dodge Ram trucks with the Dana 60 Front Axle have Lower Ball Joints that are nearly 10% larger than the AAM 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.

Cutaway of AAM Upper Ball Joint** from 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4

  1. Plastic Thrust Washer
  2. Ball Joint stud has approx. 5/16" of  vertical free play to compensate for movement of Knuckle during turns
  3. Thin Ferrous Metal Bushing with bronze inner lining. Bushing is subject wear from impact loads occurring under "normal" driving conditions.
  4. Vertically free-floating, 7/8" Diameter straight shank stud does not support any vehicle weight.  Design does not have any way to compensate for wear   Ball Joints should be replaced anytime there is side-to-side or back and forth play (Vertical only movement is normal)

** Upper Ball Joint is really a floating King Pin

Cutaway of AAM Lower Ball Joint
from 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4

Ball is surrounded by a thin plastic bushing.  There is no preload on ball to dampen "Death Wobble" or to compensate for normal wear. The Ball Joint shown here was from a 1 year old truck with only 5,400 miles on it.  The lower Ball Joint was full of grease, but already slightly loose.

 

Lower Ball Joints carry all the front end weight of these vehicles.

Outside diameter of Ball Joint Case is only 4% larger than that used by older and lighter 4x4's such as the Jeep CJ and Ford Bronco. All 4 ball Joints on those older vehicles were weight carrying.

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