Ball Joint Trouble

[Vbruck]

Hi there,

2016 Ram 1500 5.7 4WD
I got a couple new ball joints for my front lower control arms (Mevotech CMS25150). They are not the right size for the arms. I have attached a couple photos. You can see the old ball joint we took off, and the new one we ordered. You can see where the clip goes is lower on the old ball. The new ball joint has a 1/4” gap between the knuckle and the clip when seated. I have triple checked and according to Mevotechs website we have the correct ball joints for this arm. Is this normal? Is it even safe?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[barkingspider]

I don’t think it’s safe to use the new ones. Mevotechs are not good. Get OEM or moog.

 

[dogememe]

Don't use that part, sorry, but I'd say that's definitely not safe.

 

[spasm3]

I don't see how that will work as designed. I'd get oem.

 

[bdcardinal]

I wonder if on a Mevotech control arm, the ball joint they use is specific to that arm.

 

[bdcardinal]

I don't see how that will work as designed. I'd get oem.

Just a quick glance through listings on the Rock, all the lower ball joints listed look like OP's with the snap ring groove at the end of the arm. Which makes me think that a Mevotech arm uses a bespoke ball joint to that arm.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Definitely not right, nor safe.

The old joint is greasable. was that OEM? Possibly the whole arms have been replaced at some point?

 

[Vbruck]

Thanks for all your replies. The lower control arm was replaced with a Mevotech supreme a couple years ago. I was just replacing the shot ball joint. According to Mevotech I have the right ball joint for this Mevotech arm… which makes no sense and has left me so confused. I got 2 ball joints and they are both like this.

 

[Hirev]

No way I would use that. Doesn't matter what Mevotech has to say... that is not the correct part for your application.

 

[D60]

Doesn't the weight of the vehicle push it up? Where's it gonna go?

If you know anyone with a lathe cutting a new groove would be a simple affair

 

[Kira]

First things first, Welcome to the Forum. We'd love to hear about your Ram and its Hemi.
Does it tick? See, we've been waiting for you.

Yours was a weighty initial post featuring mistaken parts and eminent danger.
You are just a parts return away from joy.
Some wasted time and effort and shipping.

Joke response:
Be safe! Have it amateurishly welded in place...then, down the road, your truck can be featured in a "Just Rolled In" video.

 

[ms21043]

The pics here are the Mevotech control arm you have and a Mevotech ball joint for 2 wheel drive Ram 1500. Notice the snap ring location on the ball joint and the serations. Wonder if Mevotech is using a 2 wheel drive style ball joint in thier 4WD control arm?

 

[ms21043]

I also have a 4th gen Ram 1500 4x4 that I replaced ball joints on about 4 months ago. I have the OE control arms that are aluminum, the Mevotechs look like forged steel and are thinner in the ball joint mounting location. Replacement ball joints probably are made to work on aluminum control arms, the Moog joints I used have the same distance from the flange to the snap ring groove as that Mevotech one in your Pic.

This is the new ball joint installed on my control arm, they were a tight press fit and the snap ring is against the control arm.

 

[Kruse]

There is a big difference in the side-by-side comparison.
There is no way that I would have even tried to install the new part.

 

[Snagglefoot]

The part number you want is Mevotech MS25545 for front lower with 4WD.

 

[Snagglefoot]

So, what’s the history here. Did the parts person give you the wrong part? Your part number matches with a control arm, not an individual ball joint.

 

[bdcardinal]

So, what’s the history here. Did the parts person give you the wrong part? Your part number matches with a control arm, not an individual ball joint.

I would check the number on the box and then there is always a misbox issue.