Went to get my truck aligned so i could put wheels and tires on, and guess what, 560 dollars worth of problems, U joints and ball joints gone....... dang.... But, being i'm 16 and my dad bought the truck, he is paying for it..... This sucks. Could someone explain what they are or show a picture?


P.S. Check yours!!!

 

U-joints are in your axle in front and drive shafts. They allow shaft ends to rotate 360degrees at high speeds.
Ball joints hold your axle housing(s) to your steering knuckle. They pivot.
These items are common on all 4x4s. They commonly go bad to...welcome to 4x4 land.
Good news; once you replace an item its usually good for another 40-90k miles, depending on driver.

 

One other thing, i put new brake pads on a while back, when i press on the brake, it really, i mean really pulsates, you can tell because the truck moves with it! But, i won't be using 4X4 much, i used it tonight at the ball game to get out of a spot, but at least it worked, cus it like jumped, and scared me.....

 

Rotors often cause pulsation, when warped or corroded. Are your front end parts now on?
The jumping might be the hubs catching up w/axles and locking in. My truck always jumped (more like a bang) when I engaged in 4wd on an uphill grade. Haven't noticed since Warn manual hubs install.

 

I gotta take it back in sometime.....:o

 

the jumping may or might not be normal. Im not sure. after I realized the situation I always engaged when the truck wasn't loaded on a hill or half stuck in snow, so when everthing was clicked in it wouldn't bang to get going. Sometimes it couldn't be avoided. Tho it does seem better w/ manual hubs.
I think you'll be ok eventually. You're just a little behind on the 4x4 maintence.

 

I havn't had it long......my dad got it off of a local used car lot, it was kinda trashed, doors were hangin barly and it had a huge azz dent, rust over the rear wheel wells, i tell u what, i've pruced it up, ALOT!

 

Did I read your bio correctly? I used to live in Kirksville! I used to live on Ray Dr. and So. Halliburton(sp?). Back in the 70's

 

were you turning when the truck "jumped" If so that is normal, it is called binding. Nothing to worry about.

 

i don't think i turned.... Kirksville is 15 miles from me, i actually live in the country

 

LLoverCrazyJay-
How many miles are on your truck?

Take care,
-Chris

 

143,000.....

 

I have an update, my father and i checked it out, u joints are fine, and ball joints are fine, but the upper and lower things on both sides, they are like grommet thingys or something, they're lose

 

3/4 of fixing something is knowing what to fix (even though I have no idea which "thingys" you are describing ). Go get em.

 

lol, well, they let the wheel pivot, lol.....http://communities.msn.com/FordMusta...oto&PhotoID=33