I am curious what I will need for regular maintenance of my suspension system on a 2001 f150 extended cab. The truck has arouns 120k miles and runs great, but I know it is about time for suspension.

At this point if nothing is damaged would I just be concerned with replacing shocks and struts? Or would i want to do ball joints or other parts to avoid problems that may be coming in the near future?

thanks for all your help.

I found another thread that says basically shocks and ball joints.

 

If the ball joints have never been replaced before, do them now. These trucks are notorious for having short ball joint life. Same thing goes for tie-rod ends. Buy the ones with grease zerks in them. Check all the bushings on the A-arms and leaf spring shackles when you change the shocks.

 

THe idler arm is another high wear item on our trucks. Also, my ball joints were replaced under warranty at 60,000 miles. I notice the new Motorcraft ball joints have grease fittings now.

 

Is there any sense in replacing the bushings? Do they wear quickly on our trucks and how do you know when they need to be changed?

 

They will make noise and if you look at them they will look squated of cracked! there might be other things to look for but thats some. Also i know 2 of my bushings totally deteriorated

 

How log do you plan on keeping the truck?

If you want another 100K definetly replace the lower ball joints (mine went out right at 100K), replace the outer tie rods and idler arm too. Check the upper ball joints too, although they are integral to the arm so to replace you need new upper arms. As far as lower control arm bushings you are probably OK for now. I had 129K + and had no evidence of wear.

Good luck! Keep that baby on the road!

I chickened out on got an 08 this month! Nice ride but I will miss MY 01 (Paid for)! I couldn't pass up the incentives right now. And Gas prices really do not scare me. However, My 01 had 4.6L and the 08 has a 5.4L with 3.55 LS axle. I actually get about a mile per gallon better. Nice surprise!