Noticed horrible squeeking/grinding on my passenger side suspension lately. It does it when I steer and when the suspension flexes. Its not my bearings and everything else appears to be good. I think it might be ball joints. The lower one has a snap ring on it and looks fairly simple.

The upper ball joint on the other hand; Do I have to replace the whole arm with the joint in it? It doesen't look like the ball joint comes out. Has any one done the upper ball joint? If so do I need a press?

 

Upper is one piece. Aftermarket replacements come in one piece and with replaceable ball joint. I went with one piece because it was cheaper. Just make sure it has a grease fitting which the stocks do not.

Jack the truck, pull the tire, pull the strut, pull arm. Pretty strait forward.

 

Thank you much...I thought it looked like one piece but wasn't sure.

 

I keep looking at this upper setup. I know you said about it being one piece, But there is no way the factory can cast that arm with the ball joint in it. They (factory) would of have had to press the joint in at some point, Right?

 

You have a valid point there! I'll look to see if I have the old one still laying around. I did the left upper, it was around $55 at Oreilly for the assembly or 30 ish for the ball joint. The right side was 100 and something. I don't know why it was more.

 

I dont think it is a ball joint pressed in, I think the body of the ball joint is the arm. So its not like they press a ball joint into the hole in the arm, rather they just put the stud end of the ball joint into the hole, and put a cap on one side and a dust boot on the other.

 

Gotcha, I guess I will be going with the whole arm replacement. Thanks

 

I just had my upper ***** replaced today to the sum of $761.39 One arm was $266.83 and other was 243.78 Ford parts 2 hours labor @$80.00 freight $18.20 HST@12%(harmonized sales tax here in B.C.) $81.58

 

Wow, That seems really high for some reason. I am definetly going to do it myself. I think I'll do both while I am in there. I only have 40,000 miles on my truck, But I think the 2.5" Leveling kit might be taking its toll.

 

Hey Magnet1,
How did this job go for you? I just got all my parts in today and am going to do the work in two days! I ordered Dorman uppers for both sides online and Moog press in lowers for both sides. I think my leveling kit (2.5") is doing it's toll with my 35" tires on 18" offset rims as well. The passenger side I noticed was starting to show wear when had to throw stock tires back on for a move. It showed in movement and the tire I took off was rebalanced and was quite off in comparison to the rest. I am just replacing the same on both sides so have a good baseline and also just doing lowers since in there. Anything I should look out for?
Thanks!
-Justin