I have a 98 F150 V6 5-Speed 2 wheel drive. I replaced all 4 tie rod ends 2 years ago. At that time, the ball joints were still acceptable.I just checked the front end and found that the tie rod ends were worn out again. I checked the ball joints and found the drivers side lower is quite loose and the passenger side lower is slightly loose. I found no play in the uppers. Is this a typical pattern of wear for the ball joints? I know that the uppers take less load than the lowers but I want to make sure that I'm not missing anything, I only want to take the ball joints apart once! If you have had your ball joints replaced, please let me know what had to be done. Thanks for the help.

GlennMc.

 

Well I have a 97 4x4 but only had to replace the uppers. sealed unit and you have to replace the upper control arm. I think the lower ball joint on 2wd are pressed in, but i'm not 100% sure on that. Make sure you buy aftermarket replacements like Moog. They come with grease fittings so you won't be replacing them every 2 years like your tie rod ends. Or if you do stay with OEM then make sure you stick a grease needle in the boots every once in a while.

 

MOOG tie rods carry a lifetime warranty. Go to ROCKAUTO.com and get your tie rods/ball joints there. The entire front end, including those parts, plus the Idler arm, and Control Arm Bushings, and Upper Control arms ran me a little over $400. Labor is about 2-3 hours per side. Bottom line, your stuff should have lasted longer.

 

Hello All;
Thanks for the replies so far. I did install Moog the first time around but they wore out again. I was greasing them at every oil change but I think I will do it monthly from now on. My main question still is, Is it common for the lower ball joints to wear out when the uppers show no wear? Like I said earlier, I want to make sure that I take this thing apart once and if I am not checking the uppers properly I would like to know. Thanks again, Glenn.

 

The upper control arms do not carry the loading that the lowers do. It is common for the uppers to be solid, and have the lowers worn by about 65k. This is not only my opinion, but that of my trusted Ford Service Mgr.
Backgroound:
I recieved my recall on my 97 for the steering shaft. Took it into my Ford guy and asked he check my upper and lower Ball Joints while he had it on the lift. (As I said earlier, I bought all of the front end wearable items from ROCKAUTO.COM.) Now this Service Mgr. told me to return the upper control arms, and control arm bushings that I bought, as mine are fine [82k on my 97 2wd] But I did indeed need Lowers replaced, and didn't balk at me while I told him I would be supplying the joints (MOOG) Now he could have remained quiet, and banged me for the extra labor $$ but he is an honest man.

There are some good service guys out there behind the Blue Oval sign.

 

Well the job is done. Here is what I found;

The Moog tie rod ends that failed after less than 2 years were an inferior design to the ones that they sell now. The rubber boot ,on the first ones that I installed, was not attached to the female side of the ball socket but just sat over the stud. This allowed dirt and water into the ball as it moved. The boot on the new ones are attached to the female side. I expect longer life this time.

I installed new lower ball joints. I made a press at work and it was actually an easy job. The uppers showed no measurable looseness. I used Moog replacements for the lower ball joints.

I installed 4 new Gabriel shocks. This was also a pretty easy job. It took about 1-1/2 hours to do all four.

The truck now steers and rides pretty well like new, which is pretty good after 180,000 kms (110,000 miles). Thanks to everyone for input. GlennMc.