I went to get an allignment last week and instead they gave me a list of parts that need replacement, I have three questions, Here are the specs of my truck and my questions below:

2001 R/Cab F150 5.4L XLT 2WD
6" Fabtech Susp Lift. (Stock Control Arms)

1) They said my upper ball joint and upper control arm are one piece, and that in order to replace the ball joint I need to replace the whole damn arm... true or false?

2) I was told I have to replace the Idler arm... I have no idea where that is located, can anyone provide me with a diagram of where it is? I looked up the part so I know what it looks like, but I don't know where it is on the truck itself... Also are there two of them? One per side? And with my 6" Fabtech lift are these stock idler arms?

3) I will also be replacing the lower ball joints, those can be removed from the stock control arms correct? Do I just need a pickle fork to remove them?

If anyone has replaced any of these items in the past and has any input or tips feel free to let me know, I will be ordering these parts online and changing them myself.

Thanks for your help

 

anyone???

 

the upper control arms do need to be rplaced for the ball joints, not exactly sure where the idler arm is and the lowers can be removed by a press if i am not mistaken hope i helped a little

 

great thanks, I appreciate it. All I have left to figure out is where the damn Idler Arm is. Apparently it is related to the steering, and there is only 1 Idler arm. But again if anyone can explain to me or show me a diagram of where the IDLER arm is located on the vehicle I would greatly appreciate it. Otherwise I will just crawl under there with the new one and look for a similar peice to swap out

 

I don't know how to describe the idler arm. I went to Advance Auto's website and looked one up to be sure of what it was.

 

Idler arm is on the opposite side fram rail of the steering box, Looks like this"link" You will use the stock with 6" lift.

http://www.toyheadauto.com/J-pegs/7577IdlerArm.jpg

 

"Bigdad" Thanks soooo much! I am going to crawl under there tonight and find it when I get off work. There are two sizes of IDLER arms for my truck, one is 63mm from center to center and the other is 87mm. I need to measure my current one before I order the new one. now I know how to find it under there.