Hey guys, searched around really couldn't find anything on this. I took the truck to get aligned yesterday it's been eating tires, and they told me I needed all my ball joints replaced. A quote for 405 dollars later I left laughing I don't doubt they need replacing the truck is 02, 2wd with 175K+. So I was just wondering how hard is this to do? And I know some trucks you have to buy the whole control arm is this the case with our F150s? Or can I just go get the ball joints? Thanks for the help guys.

 

From my experience, Ford's come with some crap awful ball joints. We have a 98 and an 01, both have needed them.

I do believe you have to buy the control arms for the ball joints if the ones currently installed are from the factory. I couldn't really tell you if they're particularly hard or not; I had a friend do mine on the cheap.

 

IMO 405$ isnt that bad for all balljoints installed. uppers you have to replace the whole upper a arm unless you have moog ones. Lowers are pressed in. The parts cost 150-200$

 

Ball joints are not that bad to replace, but do require some wrenching ability. I looked at Rockauto.com for you and the Moog stuff is as follows:
Moog Upper Control Arms - $56.00@
Moog Lower BJs - $30@
So parts are ~$175.00 and you can "rent" the BJ tools for free at most auto parts stores (with deposit).

Someone posted this on here a while back and there are tons more on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkXYXgWBzSg

Good luck!

 

Just watched this again and saw he pounded out the lower bj with a hammer. Although it works, the bj tool can be used to press it out rather than having to pound it...
You will also need a front wheel alignment when done.

 

If they quoted you $405 then that's a really good price. And being as that's an alignment shop i would guess that it includes alignment as well? If so and you aren't too sure about doing the work yourself I would definetly have them do it. A year ago a shop quoted me $300 to just change out the lowers and that was without an alignment.

 

Thanks for all the info guys. Still thinking about tackling this though and just being out the price of the parts. I'll keep you updated on what I do.

 

i had a ball joint go bad on the right side of my truck(which also wore the stabilizer joint as well) after 29k

 

Ball Joints on the 2wd f150's from 97-03 have to be by far the some of the easiest ball joints to replace. I work at an alignment shop do em all the time, id give em a shot honestly just cause if that shop is anything like ours we charge a 200% markup on parts and 100 bucks an hour on labor...you can buy the balljoints yourself and change em in no time flat and save yourself a pretty penny

 

Yea there easy, I just did mine last month on my 98 2wd took about 2HRs from very begining till clean up. Mine was free though because I have already done it once and the first time I replaced them I bought the lifetime warranty ones at autozone haha and yes I know the moogs would have been alot better guys but I don't plan on having it much longer. But if u have basic mechanic skills and an understanding on how the front suspension works and how to properly take it apart or support the lower control arm so the spring doesn't attack u on breaking loose of the ball joints lol then do it yourself and save 200$!

 

For sure, anything under $500 to do all 4 ball joints is dirt cheap.

...and just for myself, I apprecaite all the info you guys have posted. I had someone do the passenger side bj on my truck, but now the driver side needs it. I think I might wait till a little warmer weather....

 

Guys the dreaded popping is happening from the front end when I am turning the wheel. I can feel it too (ughhhhhhhhhhh). I just had my front suspension replaced and alignment done (which is fantastic). 2007 Lariat 5.4 2WD. Popping occurs when turning the wheel at low speeds. Just rolled 62K and I have never heard anything good about Ford ball joints. What am I replacing next fellas?

 

What was exactly replaced out of your front suspension? Other than balljoints, you'd probably be looking at tie rod ends. I'd also look at bearings, but popping is usually the result of bad bj's. The issue with the Ford bj's is that they are not serviceable, although some have used grease in a syringe and injected grease directly into the rubber boot.

 

you wanna talk about getting quoted a high price.... lol. i went to have mine aligned after i added some more lift to my truck and the place said my lower ball joints were shot. so i went and took a look for myself, and yes one was pretty bad, the other not so much. but i was going to replace them both while i was at it. im doing it myself but just for fun i asked how much they would charge and they were talking about buying whole lower control arms for both sides and to install would be over 950 dollars. i laughed in their faces. they said they had trouble installing ball joints on the newer fords lower control arms and it was better to just replace the whole thing. i told them they were crazy and i wasnt stupid. lol. i can get parts and install them myself for around 100. im not fimilure with the older body style fords ball joints but the newer style really isnt all that bad if you have the right tools and press.

 

I remember the BJs being pressed into the upper control arms ergo you were supposed replace the control arms. I did Moog on my last F150. Today the popping occurred when I would move from a parked position with our turning the wheel . But it is minimal. I was guessing driver side tie rod but not to sure yet.
If I had a lift then I would just go out there and tear into her LOL. I don't think I have a zerk fitting to grease the bearings but I will double check. I will probably drop her off at the shop next week.
Thanks again fellas.