Lower Ball Joints
Greetings, my 1998 F150 4X4 developed an interesting squeak last night as I pulled my truck into the parking lot. Upon inspection, I found it to be the lower ball joints. Can this be fixed by mortal man, or do I have to be in possession of a large press? Your help is greatly appreciated.
Tim:beers: |
Did mine in the drive way with a press from autozone and a good impact gun.
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yupp as long as u can rent the ball joint press its simple...still got to do mine some day soon
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Autozone and the modular myth
Well, I called autozone after reading my Haynes manual. According to the Haynes manual, the lower control arm and ball joint are a modular unit. The ball joint cannot be removed and be replaced. Autozone said that this is false, so did Napa. I called another Autozone, and they said under the special instructions tab, it stated that it is a modular unit. I need some Ford clarification. 1998 FordF150 4X4 4.6L high performance machine.
Thanks, Tim |
you can replace the lower ball joints without replacing the lower control arms.
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upper control arms are a one piece with the upper ball joints.
lowers are separate from the lower control arms |
More help...
Originally Posted by focal271
(Post 3716808)
Did mine in the drive way with a press from autozone and a good impact gun.
thanks, Tim |
You just prob the axle up and out of the way
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Thanks!
Originally Posted by Swackly
(Post 3728668)
You just prob the axle up and out of the way
Again, Thanks to all. Tim |
Originally Posted by T.C.Barrett
(Post 3730293)
I made this way more difficult than had to be...first time working on a front end. I appreciate all the advice. The '98 now rides like a Cadillac. Those ball joints had to have been bad for years.
Again, Thanks to all. Tim I'm glad I found this post...my front end developed a squeak like yours and my truck shakes like hell at certain speeds, so I think my ball joints may need replaced and possibly tie rod ends since the boots are busted. Where did you purchase the ball joints and price please? |
I just replaced mine. They were pretty loose and adding the lift and bigger tires I wanted to make sure I was good to go. I installed MOOG greaseable lower ball joints in mine. Got them from O'Reily auto parts. If anything - they are better than oem (at least that's what I've been told). Was a PIA job to do but I got it done!
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Got mine replaced by my mechanic....and a hair under 800 bucks later, no more squeak. Getting my heater core replaced on wednesday too. There goes another 800.
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Originally Posted by JD790
(Post 3766110)
I just replaced mine. They were pretty loose and adding the lift and bigger tires I wanted to make sure I was good to go. I installed MOOG greaseable lower ball joints in mine. Got them from O'Reily auto parts. If anything - they are better than oem (at least that's what I've been told). Was a PIA job to do but I got it done!
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I got all 4 replaced at the same time. If one goes out the others are sure to follow suit fairly soon.
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Any hints to make this job easier? The rubber boot on my lower right ball joint is shot.
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