'04 Screw Lariat

Last week out of nowhere my truck started handling goofy, weird front end problem. Yesterday noticed the tires are wearing on the inside and feathering

Today I jacked up a wheel and lifted up and down on it with a prybar, I could feel play very easily. Was able to lay on my side and lift the prybar with my foot and saw the bottom ball joint move.

Do most people just replace the lowers? I called Advance Auto Parts and they said the upper is all one piece and you cant just replace the joint. I didnt see any play in the joint when I was lifting it with my foot. If I dont have to, I dont want to add $200 to this project for the uppers as well....but also dont want to do this again in another month.

As for replacement, is it pretty much like other series of Ford trucks? Will the ball joint press you can rent from the parts stores do the job? Anything else I need to lookout for or check out while I am in there?

 

It's pretty much the same as the older trucks. Press out the old ball joints and press in the new. Rent the tool from the auto parts store or buy if from harbor freight. You probably won't need to replace the uppers. Well at least I didn't need to.

 

Cool, I have done this a few times on previous Ford series trucks. Rented the tool from Advance.....now have to run to town after breaking an impact socket getting the front wheels off

 

Or replace the control arm they come with the ball joint.


impact9, I think your truck needs to be on that storm chasers show!

I'm not making fun aLWAYS THOUGHT DOING THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!

But not to many major storms to chase in Chicago

 

to check the uppers, i pried between the upper and the tire and looked for play

 

I just had the lower ones replaced with a set from MOOG.