04 XLT 2WD 5.4L scab. Drivers front shock was completely blown out. Took it in to have shocks replaced and the mech. tells me both of the upper ball joints are bad.

I attribute this to 2 things, non greasable parts. And that stupid 2.5" leveling kit I had installed for a year. I hated the way it manipulated the front end, and removed it. Unfortunately not soon enough.

I'm sure guys will chime in saying they had a leveling kit for XXX miles with no problems. Good for you. How else would you explain a 2WD that doesn't have big tires, or go off roading to go bad so quick?

Sorry, just a bit ticked off that I'm not even at 80k mi and need to replace front end parts already.

 

Leveling kits mess up the geometry of the front end, hence void a Factory Warrantee!...........

 

I don't like the way the AS changes the angle on the upper ball joint but I love the way it looks. So I guess you got a pay to play. Ball joints are not that expensive so if I get 80k out of then I'll be happy.

 

Agreed.

How much did the replacements run you xlint1?

- NCSU

 

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I have an 05 FX4 and replaced the Lower ball joints 2 months ago with 64k on them. No leveling kit at the time and running stock size tires. The Stealership charged me $320.

 

You can probably do them yourself! Is it just the upper A arm or do you have to press out the joint and press in a new one I can't remember?

 

On these new trucks you have to buy the whole upper a-arm. So it makes it cost a little more than just replacing the ball joint itself but should make it easier to change(I hate pressing it ball joints). I would say if a person can install a leveling kit themselves then the upper a-arm should be a breeze. I priced the a-arms before I put the AS in and they seemed to be about $90-$100 at advance auto.

 

Psh well worth the money then to be able to tuck the 35's

 

I havent had any problems with my autospring kit. I have heard of other people with the bbs going out but when the time comes I have to agree i am just going to do it my self even if it is the whole upper a-arm.

 

Go to directford.com They sell`m for about 71.00 Complete uca w/ ball joint. If you installed the kit yourself, you should be able to do this with no problems.

Don`t feel bad. I`ve replace both lowers at about 81,000 and uppers at about 92,000. Now close to 99,000 need to replace 1 of my lowers.
(I do a lot of heavy loads & towing )

 

What are the tell-tell (or is that tale-tale) signs of upper or lower ball joint failure?

 

On my old ranger I would hear the occational pop/clunk when turning. Also when I would have a front tire off of the gound I would grab the top and bottom of the tire and push and pull on it. It would have a small amout of play in it. Then you can have someone look at the ball joints when you are pushing and pulling and see if that is where the movement is coming from. Anytime the Ranger had in play in the wheels it was either the ball joints or wheel bearings.

Since I went through alot of ball joints in my ranger, I assume from running larger wheels/ tires and off roading, I'm just in the habit now on every vehicle when it is up in the air I yank on the tires to see if there is any play in it.

 

80,000 miles isn't bad, I had 20,000 miles on my 2004 F150 before the ball joints were trashed.

 

I put on the AS 2.0 at 24K and upgraded to the rancho 4" lift at 50K.

I must say you could see the signs of wear the AS kit did.
Most of the wear seemed to be at the tie rod ends... not so much the balljoints. The rubber boots on the top ball joint and tie rod end seemed to be deformed and leaky. The tie rod ends seem loose.

The ride sucked with the AS 2.0 and I am glad it is gone!

Would I do it over again? No way!