Ball Joint Question
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
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From: NY (not the city!!)
Ball Joint Question
How long do ball joints usually last? I know there are different factors for different people. My truck has 39000 miles on it. At its last service, there was a note that the ball joints were showing signs of wear. I didnt have time to talk to the person who made the note. I like to keep ahead of issues like that and am curious about other's experiences. I drive on some very rough roads but I dont speed. Truck is all stock. Have not noticed abnormal tire wear, which is what I really want to avoid. Its been too cold and snowy to jack the truck up at home and check them myself. Im just trying to plan ahead as I purposely give myself a limited budget and dont like to take money out of savings, unless its for a real emergancy. Thanks.
Last edited by nnero; Feb 8, 2011 at 12:58 PM. Reason: It makes sense now
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
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From: RVA
Ball joints can show "signs of wear" in 5 miles after installing. It's the level of wear that is concerning.
You pointed out a few things that will assist ball joints in wearing prematurely: rough road surfaces, snowy conditions (read: road salt)
Jack the truck up at home, just enough to have the tire clear the ground. Put your hands at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions and see if you can rock the wheel/tire in that motion, back and forth to your body. If you can, then you have some premature wear.
Normally you'll notice this while driving. They'll emit a knocking noise, especially on rough terrain while turning (like on a cobblestone street).
Get them done earlier rather than later so that you're only replacing the ball joints, and not ball joints AND new tires due to cupping.
You pointed out a few things that will assist ball joints in wearing prematurely: rough road surfaces, snowy conditions (read: road salt)
Jack the truck up at home, just enough to have the tire clear the ground. Put your hands at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions and see if you can rock the wheel/tire in that motion, back and forth to your body. If you can, then you have some premature wear.
Normally you'll notice this while driving. They'll emit a knocking noise, especially on rough terrain while turning (like on a cobblestone street).
Get them done earlier rather than later so that you're only replacing the ball joints, and not ball joints AND new tires due to cupping.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Rouleau, Saskatchewan
MC beat me to it. I do alot of off pavement driving with my truck and the last time I checked everything was still tight, that was at about 60k. I don't think you can see signs of wear on ball joints, the way I was soon was to jack the tire off the ground give the tire a shake and see if there is any movement. If there is up and down movement the ball joints are wearing. If it is side to side it is the tie rods. The other way is by tire wear, like you said.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
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From: NY (not the city!!)
Thanks. I just went in the filing cabinent and reread the sheet, and its says "May require future attention" with ball joints circled. My truck get a multi-point inspection with every service, and it was never mentioned before. Im assuming its up and down movement of the wheel but I will verify this on a nicer day. It gets inspected in March, so that would be a great time to replace them if need be. The road salt absolutely destroys vehicles here, people cant seem to be able to actually drive in the snow, it drives me crazy. Especially knowing that I probably wont be able to keep my vehicle as long as i would like because of it. Thanks again
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Ojai California
Hi,..I posted a thread a few weeks back on this,..I took my '04 150 at 96,000 miles, in for a balance and align check,..tech pointed out that my fronts were wearing slightly on the insides,..I had no idea.
Tech came back and said he was feeling play in lowere ball joints, and was going measure the play,..I went out and watched,..anh he got underneath with a gauge, with the tire about 2" off the ground, while a 2nd guy puulled up on the tire with a 2x4,..took a while,..and he said it wasn't too bad,..but beyond spec. and neede to be repaced before he aligned it,..
apparrently some vin numbers have non replaceable ball joints, my vin number was one that they could be pressed in,..left it next day, and they did it for $120.00 in parts, and $180.00 labor,..plus alignment..I had gone over some VERY rough desert trails not too long ago,...
Tech came back and said he was feeling play in lowere ball joints, and was going measure the play,..I went out and watched,..anh he got underneath with a gauge, with the tire about 2" off the ground, while a 2nd guy puulled up on the tire with a 2x4,..took a while,..and he said it wasn't too bad,..but beyond spec. and neede to be repaced before he aligned it,..
apparrently some vin numbers have non replaceable ball joints, my vin number was one that they could be pressed in,..left it next day, and they did it for $120.00 in parts, and $180.00 labor,..plus alignment..I had gone over some VERY rough desert trails not too long ago,...
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Elder User
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From: NY (not the city!!)
So the non-replaceable ball joints must be part of the control arm? That would definately add some expense. How do I tell if mine can be pressed out or not? If I'm not mistaken, the lower control arms are aluminum. Does that have something to do with ball joints being non-replaceable? Thanks.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 538
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From: Ojai California
So the non-replaceable ball joints must be part of the control arm? That would definately add some expense. How do I tell if mine can be pressed out or not? If I'm not mistaken, the lower control arms are aluminum. Does that have something to do with ball joints being non-replaceable? Thanks.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2010
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I have a 2004 F150 4x4 with 50,000 miles. Just got new tires and the tech said my passenger side upper and lower ball joints were bad. They showed me the movement. They wanted 575 dollars to replace them. I went to rockauto.com and got the upper control arm with ball joint and the lower ball joint. You need your vin and on my 04 the 11th character in my vin was N. Put them in myself...watched a utube video and had the book and tools. Got a loaner ball joint press from autozone. Took a bit of time but I'd rather have the 475 dollars. Watch the F150 ball joint video and it could give you an idea about whether you want to try it.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Sunapee NH
Some less the reputable dealers play the "may need in the near future" in hopes that you'll say. Oh just replace/fix the issue now, even when you don't need the work done.
Since the northeast is enjoy some chilly weather, I'd suggest you visit a different shop and ask them to check the ball joints. I'll bet there's nothing wrong with them. Heck I've got 107K on my 07. I also drive on some rough roads, I plow and work my truck pretty hard. I don't have any signs of needing ball joints any time soon. Granted every truck is different but 39K seems way too early.
Since the northeast is enjoy some chilly weather, I'd suggest you visit a different shop and ask them to check the ball joints. I'll bet there's nothing wrong with them. Heck I've got 107K on my 07. I also drive on some rough roads, I plow and work my truck pretty hard. I don't have any signs of needing ball joints any time soon. Granted every truck is different but 39K seems way too early.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 538
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From: Ojai California
Some less the reputable dealers play the "may need in the near future" in hopes that you'll say. Oh just replace/fix the issue now, even when you don't need the work done.
Since the northeast is enjoy some chilly weather, I'd suggest you visit a different shop and ask them to check the ball joints. I'll bet there's nothing wrong with them. Heck I've got 107K on my 07. I also drive on some rough roads, I plow and work my truck pretty hard. I don't have any signs of needing ball joints any time soon. Granted every truck is different but 39K seems way too early.
Since the northeast is enjoy some chilly weather, I'd suggest you visit a different shop and ask them to check the ball joints. I'll bet there's nothing wrong with them. Heck I've got 107K on my 07. I also drive on some rough roads, I plow and work my truck pretty hard. I don't have any signs of needing ball joints any time soon. Granted every truck is different but 39K seems way too early.
yea,...hard to imagine worn out at 39,000,,was hard enough for me at 96,000,..but I made two round trips to a desert off road racing site,...and there were many spots I hit so hard I slammed the crossmember,..and I did witness them measure the wear,...I just hate premature tire wear...
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Ojai California
Awesome !!!!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 328
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From: Top Of The World, TN
"04 with 182,000 miles ... Just replaced mine a couple of weeks ago. Actually, I did a complete front suspension rebuild. It wasn't bad -- but it was starting to show a little uneven tire wear. The ball joints had moderate wear -- not bad at all, considering mileage and 2-1/2" leveling kit.
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Elder User
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From: NY (not the city!!)
Well, I only take it the dealer because I have free oil changes/service and inspections. I would never have them actually do any work on my truck. I am insterested to see what BS they come up with at my "free" NYS inspection next month. This dealer does have a good reputation in our area though, so who knows. I will check the ball joints myself, I watch my tires and keep them properly inflated anyways, and will bring it to our local shop, who we trust, for confirmation of any issues. I also need to get over the "scary" factor of working on this truck. It seems intimidating, especially compared to my 95. Thank you to everyone who has responded thus far. I will keep posting any relevant/future info on this thread.
Last edited by nnero; Feb 10, 2011 at 06:46 AM. Reason: None of your business, haha
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 538
Likes: 24
From: Ojai California
Well, I only take it the dealer because I have free oil changes/service and inspections. I would never have them actually do any work on my truck. I am insterested to see what BS they come up with at my "free" NYS inspection next month. This dealer does have a good reputation in our area though, so who knows. I will check the ball joints myself, I watch my tires and keep them properly inflated anyways, and will bring it to our local shop, who we trust, for confirmation of any issues. I also need to get over the "scary" factor of working on this truck. It seems intimidating, especially compared to my 95. Thank you to everyone who has responded thus far. I will keep posting any relevant/future info on this thread.
This might be hard to believe, but the third time I took off the intake,..i did it in 15 minutes, from an engine that had just been running,..don't be intimidated at all,...very easy engine to work on,..I will be glad to answer any questions,..Randall