Hello.. nice forum! I have a 2002 F-250 with just a little over 80K miles. When I am on a bumpy dirt road, or if turn the wheel REALLY sharply to the left, I hear a knocking or ticking sound from the front end. I am thinking that maybe the u-joints need to be replaced, but not sure. Any ideas on what the problem may be? Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

Sound like somebody is knocking on your floor board right?
Replace the front sway bar bushing with a set of Energy Suspension bushings. I got mine from Summit.

Or is it only when turning?

 

Yup.. I think you hit the nail on the head. Do I need a press to put the new bushings in? Any way to do it without a press??? Thanks for the reply!

 

No, you do not need to press the new bushings in (you'll see what I mean when you buy the kit). Instead, you must press the old bushing out. Go to an auto parts store and use their free loaner program. Get a ball joint PRESS, not a puller. It will look like a big C clamp with a bunch of random sizes of short tubing. I tried to get one of the old bushing out for an hour and it didn't budge an inch, so I broke down and spent the next hour running around town looking for the ball joint press.

Remember, the front wheels of the truck must be off of the ground when you remove the sway bar.