I apologize that I didn't take the time to get pics, but if anyone has any questions about replacing the lower ball joints on a 97 F150 4x4, ask away. I just did both sides and now know my front suspension intimately. I did some searches on this forum (and others on F150online) but could not really find a good thread about this. It would be my pleasure to actually help someone as opposed to always looking for answers.

I still have some finishing things to do, maybe I'll get some pics to at least generalize the steps I had to take to get this done.

 

I did one of mine on my 97 one time. I didn't realize that it would need to be pressed out and new one pressed in. It was somewhat of a nightmare but got it done.

 

Checker auto "loaned" me their tool. You pay for it up front but you get it all back when you return it. It was right at $200, but really it is a free tool rental. And yes, everything was a bit rusted in, and was not a whole lot of fun.

 

I have to do this on a 98 soon. Can you not beat them out with a ball joint separator anymore?

 

Nope, I'm pretty sure the point of a ball joint seperator aka pickle fork is to remove it from the knuckle as they are sometimes really seized to it. Our's are tapered/pressed in and you need a ball joint press. Like 97 said go to your parts store of choice (I went to O'Reilly's) and get your ball joints there and they will loan you the press. Just got done doing both lower ball joints as well as a new passenger side wheel hub this past month myself, the process itself is pretty straightforward but like usual I ran into a few snags here and there with some stuff that didnt want to seperate, nothing a BFH can't fix tho

 

Thanks I'll study up on that, I've got to do it within 3 weeks, as it is going back to school

 

Good description for replacing lower ball joints on a 4X4 ...

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/36...f-150-4x4.html

 

is ti very hard to change out the ball joints, i just did a leveling kit and went to get it aligned and the told me my joints are bad... i can get all the parts from advance auto for 250, tires plus wants 800 to replace them, so i want to do it myself, how hard is it i have almost 0 experience with working on my truck, but i feel fairly confident now that i successfully did the leveling kit.
also is mevotech a good brand apparently moog dosent make joints for the 2wd