Okay, got a 1990 f150 4.9l 2WD. Just turned over 100k miles. I was getting new tires put on and they told me that my left side upper and lower ball joints need replaced. They wanted 250 to do it, but i told them not to bother since i can get some lifetime warrantied ones for 30 bucks each at autozone. In about 5 months this will no longer be my daily driver, but i will still use it ocassionally. Should i replace all the ball joints, tie rod ends ect.. while i am in there? I would hate to do one side then have to have it realigned after the other side goes bad. Is it common for both sides to fail around the same time? What do you guys think????

I will also add, my steering is getting pretty loose, i would not mind that being tight again.

 

As long as you didn't mind doing it, go nuts. Sounds like the parts will be f.all that way it's done and over.

 

For about $250-300 you can do the upper and lower ball joints on both sides. Remember to get the camber kits for both sides before you start the job. THis will save you about $00-200 at the alignment shop. Make sure you get ball-joints that can be greased. You might as well do the tie rods while you have it ripped apart. Why pay for another alignmentand go through the hassles later?

 

While I don't have a F150 anymore I'll say this. My 98 Ranger about 6months ago, the drivers side lower ball joint was so loose, you could see it moving around in the spindle when pryed up with a crowbar. I just went ahead and did all 4 ball joints. I used MOOG greaseable joints, had the shop align the truck and never had problems since. I really don't trust anything from AZ except for a quart of oil or something small. -op-

 

Thanks for the replies. I was kind of thinking i should do em all too. So what are these camber kits?

So you dont like parts from AZ? I have never had a problem with most parts from there, and rarely beat the price. Where do you go??
thanks!!

 

check your tie rod ends i had some bad luck with mine when my friend put my new tires on for me he wiggled the tire and the tie rod end fell out... scarey..

 

SHouldn't a 1990 model F-150 have King pins?? or is there something I am missing? As far as i know all I-ebam front ends had King pins I could be wrong.

Scotty