Ok well i have a regular that comes to the restaraunt often and was wondering if i could help him fix a bad ball joint on his 94 F150 4x4. He's and older guy and cant really do all the work!

Ive never done a ball joint but told him id be glad to help. I told him id ask on here and find some info out. I did a quick search and really didnt have time to read though all the threads.

My question is:

Difficulty of Project...

Any Tips...

Special Tools... Ball Joint Puller, Ball Joint Compressor??

Anything i might run into on the way?

Im eventually be doning mine when i add my suspension lift so it will be good to know anyway!

Thanks Guys!

 

Difficult... no, but very time consuming

Mark your upper ball joint alignment pucks as far as orientation so that they will go in the same as they were removed and you will not need to get the truck re-aligned from replacing the ball joints.
It is highly recommended that after any front end parts replacement that you get the vehicle re-aligned though.

A ball joint press will be very helpful if not outright necessary.
You'll also need:
Assortment of sockets, rachets and wrenches (air tools make life easier)
4x4 hub nut socket for the correct year style
Pick or small screwdriver to remove 4x4 hub outer safety ring.
Snap ring pliers to remove the snap ring on the stub axle
All the normal tools you would need for front brakes to remove and replace.
Pickle Fork for the ball joints.
Lastly a smaller sledge hammer to loosen the tie rod ends. Use the sledge to hit the knuckle beside the tie rod after removing the tie rod nut. The tie rod is a tapered fitting and this will pop them loose so that you can re-use the old tie rod ends. (using a pickle fork will ruin the ends)

While your in there look at the radius arm bushings.. particularly on the passenger side. The exhaust heat usually deteriorates these long before the ball joints go out.

You are a very helpful/generous individual by offering to do these for somebody.
I wish there were more like you out there.

 

ok so im looking at a little bit of work here 5-7 hours depending on how bad they are.

seems like something i can handle. though i did not initially realize that the 4x4 hub would have to come off!

ill check all his other bushings as well! thanks agian!

 

Here is probably the most detailed writeup on how to do Balljoints on the 80-96 4x4 trucks I have seen:

http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...ljoint+writeup

 

its like everybody else said, its not hard but it does take some time but i dont think 5 hours. i did mine both sides upper and lower in about 3hours. the job is pretty straight forward.

 

thanks guys!