I took my '01 Supercrew to the alignment shop after putting on some 33'' tires and turning the torsion bars. I drove it like this no more than maybe 200 miles before taking it to the shop. My truck just turned over 50,000 miles. When I went to pick the truck up they told me that I needed new lower ball joints! I haven't had time to crawl under the truck with a prybar to check them yet. Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem with low miles like this? Seems crappy that ball joints are going out on a truck with only 50K easy all highway miles! The guy at the shop said that he has done several of these trucks and that most of them has less than 70K on them.

 

My 99 Ranger was like that. Sure hope the 05 Lariat does better.

It's utterly ridiculous to need ball joints at that low mileage.

 

Ok, sounds like I'd better check my 01 Supercrew, as I have 55000 miles on it. Enlighten me on how to check them, as I have never had to before.

 

So I jacked up the front of my truck last night and took a prybar to the a-arm to test for any looseness. I also took the tire and tried putting pressure on the ball joint to see if there was any problems. Everything looks pretty tight. I really think that the alignment shop was trying to put the screws to me. Pretty sad that you can't get an honest opinion anywhere these days. Good thing I'm half a$$ mechanically inclined...

 

even though they dont move they can get stuck in one postion . watch your tires for wear

 

i had to replace them on my '98 at about 70K.

 

Ford replaced a lower on my 02 lariat fx4 4x4 w/ about 33k on it.

 

make sure ur steering wheel was unlocked... and grab the outter tread line and wiggle back and forth if there is any play that is noticable it could be tie rods, balljoints, or wheel bearings.... a couple places have a free suspension and steering eval. service... i know sears ( i work there as a tech) does them for free and i believe a couple check auto shops will do them free as well.

 

Remember to be sure that you "unload" all pressure off the ball joint when you check it for play. With the vehicle jacked up and the wheel off the ground and hanging, the ball joints are "streched out tight". Place a jack under the lower control arm with a wooden block near the lower ball joint, jack it up so the weight of the vehicle in on the jack. The Upper control arm should be raised up a little off the stop. Now you can pry the lower ball joint with a prybar to check for play. I put a dial indicator on it to measure the amount of play. Technically, if it has ANY play, it is worn and needs to be replaced, however I run mine with a very small amount of play with no ill effects and the alignment stays tight enough. I consider 1/32" play to be the maximum acceptable amount of play (.032"). When play is more than that, it is time to replace the both lower ball joints. Upper ball joints usually don't wear as fast, as they don't have as much load on them, so they usually do not need to be replaced until VERY high milage. My 1997 Explorer did not need lower ball joints until 136,000 miles, had .050" play in the lower ball joints. My 2000 Explorer has 110,000 miles now, and had .032" play in the lower ball joints at 100,000 miles. It should be ready for ball joints in 2006.

 

It seams to be a known fact that our trucks have week front ends. 50 or 60,000 mi. on a 4X4 is about normal.

 

I just had all 4 ball joints replaced with Moog greaseable fittings. My 99 X has 56,000 miles on it. Ford is making good money on non greaseable replacements!Good luck!