Ball joints from the US
 

I can order upper and lower ball joints from the US complete with the matching retainer nuts for USD$123 + freight at 30%, so USD$41 = USD$164 = about AUD$160

The local Ford Dealer wants $325 for the 'Aussie' parts. Just over double - doesn't that figure :( !

I've got a 2005 Brazilian made F250 7.3 4WD, so I have to order the US parts for a US 2003 7.3 4WD. The Aussie/Brazilian VIN won't run through the US supplier site to verify that the parts being supplied match my truck.

Time is not an issue, happy to wait weeks before tackling the job.

Would you go for:

A) parts shipped from the US for 1/2 price, but no recourse if something gets stuffed up between me ordering the parts and me getting them; or

B) pay up $325 at the local dealership and know that the parts will be right even if they're not first time.

I've decided to order from the US. Will post how I go with shipping, receiving the parts, and fitting. Stay tuned but don't hold your breath, it could be a few weeks.

Which ones did you order from the states? Genuine Ford ones, or Moogs?

I hope you spoke to Clay first ???

No, didn't talk to Clay as those parts aren't listed on the Riff Raff site.

So I used PartsGuyEd which was routed through to WWW.HORIZONPARTSGUY.COM

On the site it says:
Genuine Original Equipment Replacement Parts

I know Clay and the guys there talk to each other.

Of course I ordered my 4" aluminised MBRP exhaust and Ezi-down tailgate strut through Clay!

lol. I think thats Clay any way

Hahahah already got mine mahahahaha:p

I remember Clay saying that the Ezi-down struts were a good idea at our GTG. Just had to get around to doing my next RR order.

Previously, back in 2010, I had asked Clay to find me an oil filler cap after I lost mine. I topped up the oil after the EBPV delete mods - which were in turn necessary because I stuffed around with the CCV and ended up blowing the pedestal EBPV actuator rod seal.

After I'd emailed Clay chasing a replacement cap I was on the US forum and followed the PartsGuyEd link and ordered another one. So I had 2 caps on order. I was pretty desperate as I'd lost my filler cap and didn't want to drive around with a rag stuck in the the cap hole. So I didn't care if I ended up with 2 as I just wanted one fast and would have whichever came 2nd as a spare.

So I was quite surprised when the PartsGuyEd-Horizon Ford place sent me an email saying that they'd cancelled my order because Clay had sent me one.

Anyway, the cap came from Clay and all was good. Then about 6 months later I'm cleaning behind the HPOP and see this big thread and wonder what it was. Out I pull the original oil cap. So, after all, I have a spare stowed in behind the back seat just-in-case.

At the time people said look in the valley, anything lost ends up there. I did have a really good look but couldn't find it. Maybe it was trapped somewhere higher and gradually worked its way down.

Anyway, when the ball joints and my order from Clay comes in I'lll take the lot down to my local garage and get them to fit the ball joints and do a wheel alignment. I'll probably get them to fit the exhaust as well.

I would love to get these trucks steering better. Any progress on that front?

Yeh, replace the nut behind the wheel:-X24

:-X22 :-X24:-X24:-X24:-X24

Ha ha, that's what we say at bicycle races. What's the most important part of a bicycle?

The Nut holding on the handlebars.

FFS bicycle races,good lord man..:(

I use to do that when i was a 12 year old down big fekkin hills,grow up and take ya EFF truck in the bush and push some tree's over or sumptink..

Bicycle races,keep that tish up and i'll call you Cpt CT again.:-X19

call me what you like cept fat, old and/or slow!

Bryan, you're speaking like someone who 'peaked in high school' and is proud of it.

Action shot FYI:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1077641...04802943412738

Right, now back to ball-joints. Here's what I found:

Aussie Stealership Upper:$117.62, Lower $207.86 (lower should contain steering knuckle)

Fleabay: Eagle Auto Parts Upper$82 + $10p&h Lower $89 + $10 p&h see:
eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d
Parts show ball joints with threaded grease nipple port and separate grease nipple.

PartsGuyEd to Horizon Ford (link above) Upper $50 Lower $70 +$40 freight
Note that with Horizon Ford the retainer nuts had to be ordered and are included in the above - no picture of part so I'm not sure if the steering knuckle is included, probably not as it is not mentioned.

Ball joints arrive
 

Genuine parts, order the joints and the retainer nuts. No retainer circlips came though. Can the old ones be reused?
$50 freight. Still cheaper than flea-bay or strealership.
Top ball joint is made in Canada.
Bottom ball joint is made in Mexico.