hey guys , 2004 f150 fx4 190000kms . i put a 2.5 leveling kit on about 6 months ago and now i have a bad upper ball joint . i know that you have to change the whole arm out .... do i need to completly remove my shock and spring to get the arm changed? i researched the suspension forum and found everyone taking their hub assemblies and axles off due to changing the lower one as well . my lower is fine . also will i need to get it re-aligned after doing this .. i had it re-aligned after the lift was put in . thanks for all input!

Neil

 

Take the weight off of the front end, get the tires off leaving the frame on jack stands. Undo the upper control arm bolt and pound the bolt up through the knuckle. It is easier to remove the upper arm bolts if you remove the strut assembly but not totally necessary. It literally is that easy...Taking the strut out is only a few extra minutes of work...

 

What he said^. And at a bare minimum get the alignment checked but chances are you'll have to get one.

 

I will tell you from experience that you DO have to take off the strut assembly to get the upper arm out. The way the loosened bolts come out they hit the spring perfectly with a 2.5" level making it impossible to get those bolts out. Without a level the bolts will slide in between the springs fine.

 

He is probably correct about removing the strut, I have coil overs which have a smaller top portion, I can get mine out but either way it only takes a few minutes to get them out....Not a big deal...

 

^X2....the strut will have to be removed...know from experience !..

 

Anybody have any write ups with pics on doing this? I have to change mine out as well....

D

 

https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...er-shocks.html