1996 Dodge Ram 1500 2wd 318/ci

the answer is yes. use the snap.
if no snap ring grove , ?that is a chinaa clone?, junk or wrong one.
why not tell maker and model new joint to make this 10x more easy
gee, you do not want to have any joint fail at 85mph, right.?
(dallas freeway way legal),grin.
i found the ring is there for using new joints, to old worn arms
may car dealers only use new arms to avoid this. danger.
but aftermarket sellers add the ring for those using old arms,
and add a snap ring for added safey,<<< here is your answer.
best is ask , the joint maker this, of many,
I'd bet the all say use the SNAP. on old arms. every time.



I can not see your old one or new one. nor.
no maker of new ball told.
Lower joint
let me guess not from dodge?
lots of 3rd party brands.
there is no one joint here, at 3 types, some are listed as
lots of variants, but less 4wd,
I like this maker, , old tried and true records USA.

MOOG, eCATalog shows

https://www.moogparts.com/find-my-part/find-my-part-results.html?type[value]=2&type[label]=Light%20Duty&year[value]=1999&year[label]=1999&make[value]=40&make[label]=Dodge&model[value]=2760&model[label]=Ram%201500&subBrand=bcch


moog.com show 4wd + snap
Part No: K8195T


https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/dodge,1999,ram+1500+pickup,3.9l+v6,1354126,suspension,ball+joint,10070

Most common issue would be worn Universal Joints on the drive shaft.

Replacing ball joints can be a big and dangerous job. I would recommend taking your truck to a good mechanic to get the job done.

where did the replacement come from and did they give you the right one...repost

jack up truck support truck remove brake caliper and support the caliper dont let it hang by the hose remove cotter pin from bottom of ball joint remove castle nut from ball joint use ball joint press to push ball joint up and out then use press to push in new ball joint make sure you grease them when you are finished both uper and lower press up and out.

I have a 98 dodge ram 4wd, and i am an auto mechanic. I replaced all 4 ball joints and both axle joints and did my front end alignment in about 4 hours. The ball joints are pressed into the front axle yoke holes. If you have a ball joint press tool (which i used) it works out pretty easily in a decent amount of time. Otherwise if your lucky, you could use a hammer, which is not nearly as easy. Also, sometimes depending on how long and rusted the front end is, you might have to heat up the area a little with a torch.I also recommend using the best ball joints you can afford, because it would **** to have to do it all again after another 10,000-60,000 miles.

check torque on hub bearing nut sounds like bearing not seated all the way

they are pressed in youll need a ball joint press to get them in or out can be rented at a rental place or some auto parts stores...

I highly recommend that you have a press available, they dont screw in unfortunatly.
To change uper ball joints; Remove tire Pull codder pin and remve nut Tap ball joint out of wheel/ brake assembly Remove upper control arm compleatly Use Press to push old ball joint out of controll arm.
A torch may be nessisary to heat controll arm. Press new ball joint all the way into controll arm Reinstall every thing Get a professional front end alignment. 

Good lcuk and hope this helps.

 just tare the axels down and pull the brake callipers and brake disks, to get to the ball joints. un bolt the nuts and take the peice holding the ball joints in and  then press out . But you need a ball joint press if you wanna do it on your own