2003 SuperCrew, 5.4L
Is this normal???????????
TonyC

 

Sometimes.... I replaced mine at 100K, seen other posts where they were replaced as early as 25K.

 

Yep - replaced lots. My truck has 39K and the lower ball joints just needed to be replaced last week.

 

225,000 miles and mine still fine

 

Kind of makes you say HUH? doesn't it. I know that during my last visit to a dealership[had no choice] I was informed that my lower ball joints were shot. If I did not replace immediatly my then new tires would be ruined in no time. I had just replaced the original tires at 65,000 miles with no odd wear what so ever. I now have 7,000 on the new tires with no odd wear. Gosh, they wouldn't just sell work, would they?

 

Just picked up my truck at the repair shop. The ball joints were definately bone dry and very loose; a lot of slop. What I liked about the replacements were that the mechanic put grease fittings on this set. The originals didn't have them. Maybe these will last now that there is a way to lube them. Cost me $315.00.

 

Some '99s and 2000 Super Dutys suffer ball joints that get tight and make steering hard, and some get loose in the typical manner of worn out joints. The Ford replacement joints are greasable, which is good. My truck (bought used) has greaseable joints on the driver's side, and factory non-greaseable on the pass side. Sounds like someone was too cheap to just replace all the joints at the same time!

 

Auto Zone has greaseable lower ball joints for $16. each. just put mine in two weeks ago at 128,000 miles

 

Replaced my lower ball joints at about 105,000. They were seriuosly eating up my front tires. Had grease fittings put on the top ones. 132,000 later now the top ones need to be replaced. Wished i had done them both at the same time, oh well the labor was free. Lowers definitely went back in with grease-able fittings. 97 F-150 4x4