All 4 of my ball joints and the front drag link ends on my 2001 F250 are worn out with only 70,000 miles on the truck. The left ball joints are worn enough to cause a significant clunking noise when I apply the brakes.

I understand this has been a weak link in this trucks design, but 70,000 miles and they are shot? I plan to use ball joints with grease fittings so they should last a bit longer, but am I looking at replacing them again in another 70,000 miles?

The dealer has quoted me $1,800 for this job... I understand it can be a big job, however this is a bit more than I would expect. Anyone have the ball joints replaced recently?

Edmo

 

1800 NO
800 maybe
Read this
Ford F250 F350 Super Duty ball joint replacement article.

 

I found my balljoints failing between 60K - 70K miles.

My very expensive dealer in very expensive NJ quoted something like $1800. I did not stick around to hear the details. I, like many others, did the job in my driveway ... using guides such as the above mentioned one and RacerGuy's orginal in this forum's tech folder.

I replaced the oem joints with greasable NAPA Premiums ..... and I got even less miles out of them. They have been replaced with MOOG joints .... I'll see how they last.

I do not beat my truck off road .... but it does go off the road sometimes.

Good luck.
2002 F250

 

those are the next balljoints to go in my truck. i've killed my new balljoints in 60,000 miles, but i do run larger tires, offset rims, and wheel it. apparently the moogs have a spring in them to keep the cup pressed against the ball, so it wears evenly. more expensive, but i'm told they should last long enough to make it worth it (not to mention not having to tear it all apart again, lol).

 

I just did both sides on my 2000 F250 4x4. It cost me $260 for all Spicer parts including upper and lower ball joints, inner(axle to tube dust seals) and outer seals(axle shaft to knuckle seals). It took me 5 hrs including taking a lunch break and a Pepsi now and then. You will need basic wrenches/sockets and a few specialty tools(ball joint press, snap ring pliers, 1/2" universal, torque wrench, 1 5/16 x 1/2" drive socket, a bench mounted vice, impact wrench, pickle fork) It is a little labor intensive, but nothing you couldn't do if you follow the directions. To be honest its quite easy to do with the appropriate tools and you get to use the BFH( Big F----N Hammer).

 

put new ford greasable ball joints on 2-27-09......theyre bad already 10k later my buddy who is a mechanic at a suspension shop said they have no luck with aftermarket, but the ford ones suck too!! im going to get these warrantied and grease them myself monthly. ive onle changed the oil twice in the last year and thats when it was done, well see what happens.

 

Everyone I've talked to seems pretty happy with the Moog greasable fittings. Granted, I've got a 2wd, but did all mine and the front bearings for around 300. Time consuming, but worth every penny saved.

Check the local parts shops to find out which ones will rent you a ball joint press - everything else you can find in the suggested thread.

Tip: It's a long thread - use the key-word search to find the specific information you're looking for.

 

I TOTALLY agree.....$800 is about right. I believe the parts alone are about roughly $450, and it's a hard job. I have an 03 and just did the uppers and lowers. My truck has 75K as well. Moog's are the best and are greaseable.

 

The large seal that fits into the knuckle? You got an aftermarker Spicer part for that? Where did you get it from?

Thanks.

 

I'll check the package they were in. I got them from a local 4x4 shop, they might just be Motorcraft. I know the balljoints were Spicer as were the inner dust seals. I'll get back to you.

 

The ball joints come as a pair under part#700238-2x ($90.00), the axle tube seal(dust seal) part #50381 ($9.50 ea.)are individually boxed, both of these part#'s come in Spicer boxes. The knuckle seal comes in a blister package with part#50491 ($27.00 ea.) it looks to be a Spicer number as well, but I haven't searched online as of yet. I hope this helps. Todd

 

where can I find a procedure? I have an F350 4 X 4 Crewcab that needs a lower ball joint replaced.

 

Google F250 ball joint replacement and it should come up with an article about ball joint replacement on www.superdutypsd.com give it a try and see if this helps.

 

I am having the ball joints replaced on my 2002 f250 tomorrow, I dont have a garage and its been pretty cold out up here in MA. I was quoted 700-800 by a local shop with parts included. I called back and told them "Hey I just remembered I already bought ball joints for this truck, would you be willing to use those ones? I don't want to lose the money on them, I can't take them back" surprisingly, they will use them so the labor is like $300.00 and I bought moog ball joints for about 200.00. So my total will be around 500.00. Not bad considering i dont have to sit outside in the freezing cold and pull everything apart under there.

 

Having done it once, for $300 in the middle of winter where you are.... I'd let a shop with a lift do it for me too. :-)