I have a 1998 F150 that I need to replace the lower ball joints in and I was wondering if there are any tricks or tips i can use to make it easy because i have never replaced ball joints before. Thanks.

 

put the new one in the freezer the night before... take the old one out.. and run to the freezer and slap it in before it warms up... dont ask y it works but it contracts it just enough to make it go in a he// of a lot easier.

 

Thanks alot for the tip racerf150man I put then in the freezer because im going to put them in tomorrow. I will post how the whole thing goes.

 

Visit your local AutoZone and rent a ball joint press. Without it, you'll wear your arms out before the joint comes out!

And use the freezer trick. Works like a charm! A little heat on the control arm doesn't hurt either.

-Joe

 

Thanks Joe Im going to go pick one up tonigh because I didnt get to change them today but Im doing it tomorrow.

 

I did mine with the BFH and let me tell you Joe is right. I had to rest my arms. Next time I will use the press.

JMC

 

Th BFH method is hit-or-miss.... I had one on my Explorer I never thought would come out, and one that popped out after three whacks.... I'm hoping the ones on the F-150 go out under warranty. I'm all about $50 for ball joints and an alignment.

-Joe

 

the ball joint press is a waste of time. we cranked on ours soo hard that it messed the threads up and didn't budge the ball joint AT ALL.. the only thing that came in handy in the press kit is all the adapters which make it easy to use a BFH

 

I only use the BFH when loosening the joint from the knuckle. For the balljoints I use the press, and an impact wrench. That press would mangle the lower a arms before it would strip. Penetrating oil, the press, and it should pop out in seconds?,,,,98

 

This thread seems to imply that the ball joints on the F150 are replacable. Everything I have read (Chilton/Haynes) says they are integral with the control arms and the entire arm must be replaced to replace a ball joint. I have a '97 F150 Flareside, 2WD, 4.2L that needs lower ball joints. It sure would be nice if I didn't have to buy the control arms to replace them. What's the story on this? Can the joints themselves be replaced? Just lower or upper & lower? Thanks guys...

Paul

 

The upper arms joints are not, the lowers are. The upper balljoints only come as an assembly. The lowers you can buy, and replace them while the arms are still on the truck. You will need the press from Autozone, or other tool lending svc. It works really well, once you figure out all the pieces to use together. It takes a little playing around, but it's not difficult.,,,,98

 

Thanks for your input screamer. What holds the factory ball joints on the lower control arm? Are there rivets that need to be chiseled off? What do you use to hold the replacements on?

I definitely have one bad joint on the right lower. I plan to change both lowers. The uppers seem tight now. Should I replace them anyway at $65+/- for each ball joint/control arm assembly? Do the uppers experience less severe service operating conditions than the lowers? Or are the lowers just defective?

Thanks.
Paul

 

the lowers use a c clip and are pressed in, no rivets, a new c clip will come with the ball joint, the uppers do not support the wieght of the vihicle and last longer, but if there is play in them i would replace, i would replace with a moog replacement because they are greaseable and last longer if you take care of them, i use a 3 in 1 tool to install my lowers the atachments will make it easer to get it on and the use of a hammer might not even be necisary, good luck