I need to do upper and lower ball joints on a 2012 ford f550 superduty 4x4 diesel. its a single cab with dually rear not sure if that matters. . I need procedure and torque specs and any special tools. I've done ball joints on my jeeps but not on a truck like this with all the 4x4 stuff. Thanks

 

This will give an idea of what you need and how.
2004 F250 Ball Joint Replacement

 

thanks but how much is relevant to the 2012 model and on a bigger truck

 

I don't have access to the specs for a 550 but for a 350 the torque specs are below and I attached the all data guide.

Lower 0-1.0 mm (0-0.04 in)
Upper 0-0.6 mm (0-0.024 in)

 

exactly lol Thanks yeah I've done some work on 2003 f550s but not 2012 and would need like to know procedure torque spec and recommended replacement parts like seals or whatever and if i need any special tools. it seems like most guys aren't doing this type of job on their own on this vehicle so I'd have to get lucky with a mechanic getting me the info

 

looks like alldatadiy.com has the 550 manual if you plan to do most of the work on the truck yourself it may be worth the investment. 1 year subscription for 1 vehicle is 26.95 and 5 year is 44.95

 

You need the seal driver for the 05+ and a long nose snap ring pliers.

Other than that just take it apart and put it back together.

 

seal driver has been on my mind also . any special ball joint adapters needed?

 

Have you gotten a quote on what a shop would charge you? It might be worth it to have it done in a day. You'll have to rent a ball joint press, perhaps buy special ball joints (Amazon doesn't sell anything over f-350, and with the f-550 10-lug semi tires, they might be too weak), power tools to make stuff quicker, a vacuum sealer (if it's vacuum-operated, don't know, 4 wheel drive might not engaged properly). Gonna have to have a grease gun, grease, they say an alignment (though you can get away without it), and a bunch of time on your hands. The moog ball joints come with directions and torque specs.

 

Where are you in NJ? I just did the ball joints on my 06 and I have the seal installer. I rented the ball joint press from Advanced Auto, they have 2 kits, you need the set with more pieces. I also have the snap ring pliers needed.

 

Only 4 years old and the ball joints are already bad? Seems like premature failure to me. Ball joints should last longer unless you run larger tires than stock or have the truck lifted. In ether case let your parts guy know and get the best ones you can get

 

Huh?
Chris, you make it sound so easy. Review Shawn's spec pages of the parts needed and tools required.
Rent the c press from Autozone, don't bu the Harbor Freight unit that bends.
We used the freezer and heat to help the process, not to mention a sledge where required.
It's not a newbie project for those trying something new for the first time.
Many won't tackle this project unless they have a press.

 

I didn't find it to be that difficult. I live in MN, land of rust and salt and I didn't need a sledge for mine. A press isn't needed, but yes the ball joint tools are.

If somebody wants to try working on their truck for the first time, ball joints are pretty hard to screw up.

 

Chris, now it sounds like changing oil and changing ball joints are both "beginner" type jobs.
If someone starts this job as a first timer, completing this job without help, could be a bigger challenge then first expected.
Maybe you're just that good at replacing these so easily, but I don't want anyone to get the opinion that it's a piece of cake kind of job, like an oil change, fuel filter change, or the like.
That just isn't the case.

 

It still isn't rocket science....