I know theres already a ball joint thread, but I rather not hijack the thread since my question is different. Got a 2005 f150 lariet 4x4 with 51,000 miles. My right driverside upper ball joint is bad and needs to be fixed. Since one side is out I plan to go ahead and replace the other side since it shouldn't be too far behind in needing replacement. While I have everything removed I decided to go ahead and also replace both lower ball joints. I noticed the bad joint this weekend and it makes alot of bad noise and I know its toast. My question: I am in college and live about 100 miles away from home. I have some tools here, but most of them are back home. Would it be safe to drive slowly back home this weekend to fix? I rather not have/pay someone else down here to change it and charge me alot when I know I can do this myself. I plan to use moog parts and have 100% confidence that I can do it myself. I WONT do any driving while at college this week because of the joint, but would it be ok for me to drive 100 miles slowly back home to fix? I understand its had to say since none of you have seen it, but I just recently noticed it this weekennd by the steering to have a TINY bit of play. Is it ok? Thanks alot! -John

**Also- I have to purchse an entire new UCA right? From what I understand you cannot replace just the joint on these models, but the entire UCA. So I have to get a new UCA and just the lower ball joint, right?

 

Once I found out my joints were bad I drove around for an additional 300 miles till I had the time to replace them. I used all MOOG as well and the job took me about 3.5 hours so you should be able to do them fairly easy.

So my opinion would be that you should be alright if you just started to notice the play.

Yes, you are correct you much purchase the whole UCA.. Good luck!