Had the truck in for brake service at the dealer and they also discovered that the ball joints are shot. I checked myself and they are pretty bad. I figured I would get at least 100,000 on them but at 78,000 they are completely gone. Does this sound right? I avoid pot holes and bad roads at all costs.

So, my Ford dealer quoted me $1200 for parts and labor. That includes new upper control arms, new ones pressed into the lowers, and an alignment. Sounds a little steep to me. I mean I could do it myself but then I'd still have to take it in for an alignment. I hear about Moog parts a lot and the service guy said it would be cheaper if I just bought the parts from Moog and then had the dealer install the parts. What else is prone to go out on the front suspension? Should I just rebuild the whole thing while I'm that far into it?

Thought about just getting a new truck but I have so much invested in it with new parts its unbelievable (thou$and$). Ill have just made it nice for somebody else if I dump it now. I hope Ill be seeing light at the end of the tunnel soon. After the front suspension I can only foresee the transmission going out.

 

I have a 2008 as well. My uppers were creaking at about 70k and needed to be replaced. Did them myself.

Just did the lowers a little over a month ago. Lowers cost about $20 each and you can get a press loaned to you from a parts store for free. It's not hard at all.

I don't remember the price of the new ucas, but check rockauto and go with Moog problem solver. You can do the job yourself for right around $100.

I'd never ever pay $1200 for that job.

 

Yeah that sounds insane for what it is.

 

of it were my truck and I wanted to keep it a while, I'd replace just about everything. Upper and lower bj's, inner and outer tierods, shocks and sway bar links.

I've done all that stuff myself. Im by no means a mechanic, but nothing was too hard.

 

I agree, do it yourself. In fact, my UCA's and struts just came in today. I less than half of what the dealer quoted you. Here's what I got:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003KF...7qL&ref=plSrch

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FJW...zsL&ref=plSrch

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FJW...8GEA06R6HFN12Q

 

I just put those Monroe quick struts on my truck too. I like the ride! I also did Moog problem solver ball joints and tierods so everything is fresh.

Ps, don't forgot to check the sway bar links.

 

$1200 is at least twice as much as they should charge for that job. For a professional it's about 2 hours labor.

I just replaced the LCA ball joints, 4 tie rod ends, idler arm, sway bar end link bushings, and a bearing hub. My UCAs were okay. I have 134k on my 02.

There are lots of videos on the web showing how to do it.

 

I just went to Rockauto and found I could get all the parts for 243.00. All Moog greaseable ball joints, a- arms, plus bushings for the lower control arms which the dealer didn't include. The dealer wants more than double that for the crappy replacement ball joints. I think I'm going to do this myself. Should be able to handle it on a Saturday. $300 all in with the alignment isn't bad. Way better than $1200. Thanks guys

 

Good choice! Just make sure to grease the ball joints every oil change. Doesn't take much, just one to two squirts.

 

Hey I have 2001 f50 4wd. It looks as if my lower ball joint broke and the control arm in on the ground. Will replacing the ball joint fix this or did something else go wrong. I'm not much of a suspension guy so I'm in the dark here.

 

You would have to show us some photos for us to know exactly what happened.
Are you saying the lower control arm is no longer attached to the spindle?

 

This is the only picture I got right now but the back bushings are still attached but where the from attaches to the ball joint is broke off. Everything else seems to be attached still

 

Yikes! It's hard to tell, but it looks like the ball joint popped out of the lower control arm. If so, you'll probably need to replace that as well.
No matter what, I would get a jack on that side. The upper control arms and ball joints aren't meant to support the full weight.

 

It's on stands now but it doesn't look like I need a new control arm just the joint

 

But my axle wiggles a little of I make it slid it suppose to do that. Only wiggles on the side with it is coming from the front diff at that big boot??!