Well guys, I figured out what the damned squeaking was. I'm replacing the upper and lower ball joints on my 1997 Ford F150 4x4. Anyone done this? I'm wondering how hard it is, and if I need any specialty tools. I've done some pretty serious wrenching before, engines and transmissions on my car, and my old truck, but I haven't really done much in the way of suspension.

 

I just did both lower on my 97 4x4. They are not too bad to do. You can use two hammers or a pickle fork to remove them from the spindle. A ball joint press makes it easy for the lowers to remove from a-arm. Local autozone's lend them for free around me. Uppers come as a ball joint already in a A-arm unit and will add some work. I found a noisy wheel bearing/hub and replaced that while it was apart and fixed that too. A`1/2 day job if you have decent skills and things go well.

 

Okay. Any reccomendations on what ones to get? First real suspension problem, and 151,000 miles on the clock, so I think I'm doing pretty good, I wouldn't mind seeing another 150,000 out of it.

 

Moog for all suspension parts.

 

Yep.
Just get moog lower ball joints and you probably want to go ahead and replace the uppers too. You cannnot just replace the upper ball joint unless it is already an aftermarket control arm. You will prolly have to replace the whole upper control arm. I would recomend it while you have everything apart. Also look at the sway bar bushings and link kits while your down there. Better to replace as much as you can while having it all apart. Good luck!