Well after a couple of months of procrastination and just being busy with work and other things I started to tackle the upper and lower ball joints. Since I knew that the driver's side was probably worse I decided to start with it today. Truck just crossed over 200k miles recently and the popping/crunching noise from the front end was getting bad. I sure found out how bad it was. Took off the upper and lowers and discovered very sloppy play and better yet on the upper control arm/ball joint the boot and grease was non existent! Just have to torque everything down on the driver's side and will be starting with the passenger side tomorrow
Check out this driver's side upper control arm/ball joint. You think it needed replacing?

 

 

Just got done with installing new upper and lower ball joints. Here is the aftermath of what was in the truck. I think that these were original with the truck. Nice little metal on metal and the rubber boots busted out and gone. Truck runs so much better and no more squeaks/clunking noise.

 

photos of truck bottom / frame show the advantages of living in FLA compared to Rust Belt !!

 

Steve,

Yes Florida is more brutal on the interior/exterior paint because of the sun but yes with the snow forget it. I lived in NJ for over 25 yrs and still remember all of that road salt and CONSTANTLY cleaning it off my family's vehicles.