When to replace ball joints
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 143
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From: Little Elm, Texas
When to replace ball joints
I have an '00 F250 4x4 CC with close to 190K miles on it. The question I have is when do you know it is time to replace the ball joints? The truck pulls slightly to the right at all times, but it has done this since I bought it in '02. I have taken it for allignment several times, and eveytime they tell me it is witin specs. I plan on a complete brake job in the very near future that includes new calipers and rotors, as well as the hub/bearings.
If it still pulls after that, should I dive into replacing the ball joints?
If it still pulls after that, should I dive into replacing the ball joints?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
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Jack the front tires off the ground grab tire at top and bottom try to move tire by alternating with a pushing motion if you have noticeable anymore than minimal movement and they are worn out also helps to have someone watch the ball joints for movement while you move the tire.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
The truck pulling may not necessarily mean it's time for ball joints. I check for ball joints by slightly lifting the front end of the truck, till the tires are off the ground. Then I stick my pry bar under each wheel and see how much movement or play it has. Compare to the other side as well. If your truck has 190k miles on it and you don't recall them being done, do them with your brake job.
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
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From: Missouri
Jack the front tires off the ground grab tire at top and bottom try to move tire by alternating with a pushing motion if you have noticeable anymore than minimal movement and they are worn out also helps to have someone watch the ball joints for movement while you move the tire.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 143
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From: Little Elm, Texas
This was my original thought. But, my front end project keeps growing
. Complete brakes, ball joints, new shocks, leaf spring isolators (annoying sqeak), and a 2" leveling kit. My thought was to do it all at once since the truck will be on jack stands and the wheels off. I know for a fact the ball joints have never been done, so I will go ahead and do them when doing everything else. It will be a long weekend...
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
This was my original thought. But, my front end project keeps growing . Complete brakes, ball joints, new shocks, leaf spring isolators (annoying sqeak), and a 2" leveling kit. My thought was to do it all at once since the truck will be on jack stands and the wheels off. I know for a fact the ball joints have never been done, so I will go ahead and do them when doing everything else. It will be a long weekend...
. Complete brakes, ball joints, new shocks, leaf spring isolators (annoying sqeak), and a 2" leveling kit. My thought was to do it all at once since the truck will be on jack stands and the wheels off. I know for a fact the ball joints have never been done, so I will go ahead and do them when doing everything else. It will be a long weekend...
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: Pocatello, Idaho
Also the pry bar trick doesn't always work. My ball joints was ceased instead of being loose. My truck only has 75,000 miles when I replaced them. Mine I couldn't get full lock to lock steering.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
When they do this: 
2001 Ford Superduty bad balljoints - YouTube
Seriously though, as bad as the passenger side is in that video, the driver's side also needed them but it required a 4-foot pipe and a lot of grunt to get them to move enough to notice.
So they can be bad enough to cause pulling or banging or squeeking, but not enough to be able to tell just by wiggling the wheel up and down when it's jacked up.
2001 Ford Superduty bad balljoints - YouTube
Seriously though, as bad as the passenger side is in that video, the driver's side also needed them but it required a 4-foot pipe and a lot of grunt to get them to move enough to notice.
So they can be bad enough to cause pulling or banging or squeeking, but not enough to be able to tell just by wiggling the wheel up and down when it's jacked up.
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