A few ball joint questions
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 1997
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From: Littleton, CO USA
A few ball joint questions
Greetings!
in a few weeks I am going to be tearing apart my truck to install a skyjacker 6" suspension lift. My truck is a 2000 F-150 with about 110,000 miles on it. Here's my questions.
How long do ball joints typically last?
I was thinking of going ahead and replacing the ball joints even though they aren't bad yet, would that be a good idea, sine everything will be apart already?
I've noticed Ford doesnt' sell upper ball joints, they only sell the entire control arm that includes the ball joint... but I am looking at Moog and they seem to make an upper ball joint as well as a lower ball joint... so why doesn't Ford want the upper changed out? Would going to a completely new control arm be a better idea rather then just replacing that ball joint? I already am planning on replacing the control arm bushings (upper and lower) with energy suspension bushings, whether I get a new control arm or not.
Any special tips for changing out the ball joints? I will probably be utilizing hte "loan-a-tool" program unless they arent' very expensive in which case I'll just buy it and hope I dont need it later
.
in a few weeks I am going to be tearing apart my truck to install a skyjacker 6" suspension lift. My truck is a 2000 F-150 with about 110,000 miles on it. Here's my questions.
How long do ball joints typically last?
I was thinking of going ahead and replacing the ball joints even though they aren't bad yet, would that be a good idea, sine everything will be apart already?
I've noticed Ford doesnt' sell upper ball joints, they only sell the entire control arm that includes the ball joint... but I am looking at Moog and they seem to make an upper ball joint as well as a lower ball joint... so why doesn't Ford want the upper changed out? Would going to a completely new control arm be a better idea rather then just replacing that ball joint? I already am planning on replacing the control arm bushings (upper and lower) with energy suspension bushings, whether I get a new control arm or not.
Any special tips for changing out the ball joints? I will probably be utilizing hte "loan-a-tool" program unless they arent' very expensive in which case I'll just buy it and hope I dont need it later
.
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 1997
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 0
From: Littleton, CO USA
Argh I hate it when Ford makes things more complicated hten they have to be! Not certain on this, but from what I'm hearing elsewhere, it sounds like you can get "aftermarket" ball joints, but only after you replace the entire arm... I'm kind of lost, keep getting different stories from different people.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 42
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From: toronto
If I remember correctly, the upper ball joint is integral with the upper control arm. So if you want to change the upper ball joint, you will have to change out the control arm, as it has the ball joint already installed. Not a bad idea to do it while you have everything apart. I would recommend using an aftermarket greaseable unit such as the Moog. Good luck with your lift.
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 50
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From: Los Angeles
I have changed out the upper and lower ball joints from moog and I have updated the frontsway bar and complete A arm bushings to the energy suspension bushings...couldn't be happier just a little squeaky due to the polyurethane but all in all better handling feel...
4.6 geared up to 4:10's
24' katana azzad wheels
305/35 24" Kuhmo's
pro comp 9000's shocks front
pro comp 3000's shocks rear
rancho steering stablizer shock
K&N FIPK Gen II
BBK TB and Underdrive pulleys
Power programmer III
Flowmaste original 40 series SI/DO
Brembo cross/drilled slotted rotors
EBC 6000 Pads
Performance Plus Brakes Stainless steel braided Lines
soon to be supercharged by procharger ATI...
4.6 geared up to 4:10's
24' katana azzad wheels
305/35 24" Kuhmo's
pro comp 9000's shocks front
pro comp 3000's shocks rear
rancho steering stablizer shock
K&N FIPK Gen II
BBK TB and Underdrive pulleys
Power programmer III
Flowmaste original 40 series SI/DO
Brembo cross/drilled slotted rotors
EBC 6000 Pads
Performance Plus Brakes Stainless steel braided Lines
soon to be supercharged by procharger ATI...