ball joint blues
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 215
Likes: 3
From: oo-tah
ball joint blues
the tags on my truck expired so after work i took it in to get inspected and... i need all four ball joints replaced
. the steering has been a little lose for a while but lately it has felt really funny to drive. they quoted me $900... so after i scraped my jaw off the ground i decided i'd tackle it myself. how bad should it be?
. the steering has been a little lose for a while but lately it has felt really funny to drive. they quoted me $900... so after i scraped my jaw off the ground i decided i'd tackle it myself. how bad should it be?
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 973
Likes: 2
From: Texas
$900 is alot when you could do it pretty easy for nothing more then parts and a deposit on a ball joint press.
I'v never heard of an inspection including ball joints. and unless they jacked the truck up and carefully inspected it, they wouldn't be able to tell. And i don't see much of a reason to jack the truck up for a normal inspection.
As far as changing the ball joints. Its a pretty easy job. 2wd is easier then 4x4, but either way you have to take the tire, break caliper and hub off (If its a 4x4 you will need a special tool to remove the spindle nut that holds the hub on, then take the spindle off and pull the axle out) then remove the bolts on the ball joints themselves and hit the knuckle down with a large hammer. Once the knuckle is off you can use the rented press too push the old ball joints out and the new ones in. Replace everything in the reverse order.
I did help a friend of mine do this in a aprt parking lot with minimal tools so it should be pretty easy if you are a little more prepared.
I'v never heard of an inspection including ball joints. and unless they jacked the truck up and carefully inspected it, they wouldn't be able to tell. And i don't see much of a reason to jack the truck up for a normal inspection.
As far as changing the ball joints. Its a pretty easy job. 2wd is easier then 4x4, but either way you have to take the tire, break caliper and hub off (If its a 4x4 you will need a special tool to remove the spindle nut that holds the hub on, then take the spindle off and pull the axle out) then remove the bolts on the ball joints themselves and hit the knuckle down with a large hammer. Once the knuckle is off you can use the rented press too push the old ball joints out and the new ones in. Replace everything in the reverse order.
I did help a friend of mine do this in a aprt parking lot with minimal tools so it should be pretty easy if you are a little more prepared.
FTE Legend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 56,542
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From: In my own world
That's ok, but if your ball joints are bad, wouldn't you want someone to tell you before they give out at 65 mph, and possibly kill you and anyone in your path? Just my .02
Last edited by megawatt00; Mar 12, 2011 at 11:47 AM.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,402
Likes: 10
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-u-joints.html Here is a link to a great writeup on how to do them. When you have done one side the other is a breeze.
Maybe replace the outer axle shaft universal joints at the same time.
Maybe replace the outer axle shaft universal joints at the same time.
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,332
Likes: 1,308
From: Central Mississippi
If "They" is the same folks who did the inspection, then "they" have a conflict of intrest. Also known as "scam" or "rip-off".
Does Utah have some sort of certificate system where the station that flunks you is the station that has to "pass" you?
Does Utah have some sort of certificate system where the station that flunks you is the station that has to "pass" you?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 11
From: Puyallup, WA
I don't mean to rain on a paticular person, but really;
I can't figure out why the OP is complaing about having to fix a known safety issue, why was he even driving the truck in the first place with the steering feeling funny?
I mean really, what right does he have to potentialy endanger other innocent victims with a known safety issue? I will be the first to say, what he does with his own life is his business, but if driven on a public road, and the fact that the public road is a shared resource that means we all have to play by the same rules. Right?
Or am I way off base here?
I can see the point of the same shop doing the inspection have a conflict of interest, but!?!
David
Last edited by megawatt00; Mar 12, 2011 at 11:47 AM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 11
From: Puyallup, WA
Very different wording, and fankly, you are asking a comparison question now.
So, if asking what would be easier to change, four ball joints or a water pump, I would say the water pump would be a the easier to change.
Of course, that is if you do not need a truck for work or something, if that is the case, then you have no way to go but change the ball joits or buy a different truck. If you do decide to change the ball joints yourself, it is doable, and you should be able to rent all of the tools to do the job reasonably.
Just be careful about the coil spring, you don't want to suddenly release the tension and have it fly out on you, potentialy causing you injury. A manual probably would be a well spent $30 as well.
Good luck whichever way you go,
David
Last edited by megawatt00; Mar 12, 2011 at 11:50 AM. Reason: Clean up
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 816
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From: Sandy Hook, CT
I did them on my '94 250 4x4 a few years ago. It was the first time I'd done that on the truck. It wasn't too hard, just time consuming and a little attention to detail. I've done the job a few more times since and it gets easier, believe me. Just take your time, set everything out on a clean piece of cardboard and you'll do just fine. Hardest part is pressing the old ones out, but a no-brainer if you have access to a press. Good luck on it!
Roger
Roger
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,332
Likes: 1,308
From: Central Mississippi
If you need ball joints, by all means replace the ball joints either yourself or pay someone to do it. I'd just like an answer to my original question. Does this particular shop have a vested intrest in telling you "You Fail"?... "But we'll be happy to fix it for you in order to pass"...
Sorry, but I have a certain level of skepticism when a person or group of people who have legal authority over me obtaining something offer to "fix" something for a price.
Of course if you suddenly get a call telling you that you need radius arm bushings, tie rod ends, new drag link, wheel bearings, etc, etc...
Well I guess you'll have an answer.
Sorry, but I have a certain level of skepticism when a person or group of people who have legal authority over me obtaining something offer to "fix" something for a price.
Of course if you suddenly get a call telling you that you need radius arm bushings, tie rod ends, new drag link, wheel bearings, etc, etc...
Well I guess you'll have an answer.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 2
From: Fort Worth
When it's time to do ball joints, doing all of the above is a great idea at the same time anyways...