I had my 2000 F-150 in for a service. They said the lower left ball joint has some play. What I want to know: "Is it better to fix it now? Because if I don't it will cause dammage to other components? OR...can I leave it until it gets a little worse with out any concern?

 

thats funny im in the same boat anyone else have advise for the 2 of us.

 

Well its up to you if you want to change it now. You can either bite the bullet and do it now, or wait until your front wheel falls off


The wheel studs are connected to the bearing assembly
The bearing assembly is connected to the knuckle
The knuckle is connected to the ball joints
The ball joints are connected to the axle

SING IT WITH ME NOW!!!!!


Anyhow, yes if the ball joints fail the wheel, along with the brakes, etc, will come off and at highway speeds...........well you get the picture. Its up to you, but I know the choice I'd make.

 

Fix ball joints now or have the body shop fix them while they are repairing the rest of the truck after the front wheel separates from the truck.

 

Just about all components develop some play with time. The question is how much play does YOUR ball joint have. Do you know how to check it? If not then how are you going to tell how much longer you can get away with it? Do you know the dif between acceptable play and excessive wear? If you don't then you'll have to rely on the person who actually looked at YOUR truck. Nothing wrong with getting a second opinion if you think their just trying to sell you stuff you may not need.

 

I was hoping I wouldn't get a string of comments like the first 2 but I guess some people just love to patronize. I know the function of the parts in question. I just want to know if that is something you should fix immediately becuase it will damage other parts or can it wait till the next oil change. The service department is very good to me so I know there probably is (slight) play. My huch is not to worry about it but I would like others opinions. However, as*holes need not reply.

 

Hmmm.....I keep wondering why I even bothered coming back to this place. I left for about a year because of all the asshats that were showing up and getting pissed off when you didn't give them an answer they liked.


I answered your question as to what can happen if not done, though not necessarily the speed which it will fail, as thats impossible without seeing the truck. Given the what you asked and the way you asked it it is very easy to assume that you don't know a whole lot about trucks. Alot of people on here don't have alot of knowledge, especially newbies to the boards like yourself. The way I described the parts was humor, I'm sorry if your sense of humor is MIA It wasn't any kind of a shot at you, if it was it would be alot more blatant. I'm really starting to think this website is becoming a waste of time again. Least I know my ******* status is still intact, I thought I had lost that