I'm not sure why they would name it that. Why not name it "Control arm with a greased hinge that is a gigantic waste when the grease fails and you have to replace a gigantic hunk of metal because this crap is non-serviceable."

I guess that would be hard to fit inside the manual. Anyways, I've got a balljoint that needs replacing. Anybody have a Canadian price on these? And perhaps a 4" lift kit that comes with a new control arm for a comparison?

Seriously, if I end up paying maybe double for the lift as I would both ball joints, I'll be happy to do so.

 

If you plan on keeping the truck for a while...long enough to replace another set of balljoints, then you might want to look into Moog. They have a cost effective replacement upper control arm with a greasable and removable ball.

 

Actually, I stopped in a store today to get a cost of the balljoint/control arm. It blew my f-ing mind.
$180 for the upper left side.
$187 for the upper right.
Now here is where my jaw hit the floor.
$603 for the lower left.
$597 for the lower right.

WHY?!?!?!? I'm seriously considering a lift kit now.

And I think those were the prices for Moog parts. Not sure if it was the greasable joint though. They also didn't have it in stock so i couldn't see it.

 

Isn't the lower pressable/replaceable?

 

I'm going to go look at that in a second to be sure. In my book, it says that it is not.

 

This is what I use for all the non serviceable parts.

 

Check out Rock Auto.com for ball joints. They ship all over the world, prices are reasonable if not the best you'll find on quality parts, such as Moog, Motorcraft, etc.

 

No, the lower balljoints do not look replaceable. I also just found out that every lift kit was designed to use the original control arms. Now I just have to pray that the lower doesn't need replacing.

 

That is an interesting little needle though. It seems quicker than drilling out a hole and tapping it to install the grease fitting.

 

These 'needles' are great to get grease into tough areas. I've used them for years to lube all manner of cv joints without boot disassembly. Handy!

 

I believe the lowers are able to be pressed out and replaced, I'm 95% sure. X2 on the rock auto suggestion. I looked at their Ball joints/UCA's on there before(if I ever needed one I was trying to get an idea of price) and they were MUCH cheaper that what you mentioned.

 

Josh, Moog lower ball joints are $37.50 each, both left and right (depending on where you get them from), they are replaceable press joints with grease fittings and have a lifetime guarantee. You can get left and right Moog upper control arm/ball joint assemblies for around $100 each, and once you replace those, the ball joints can then be replaced by themselves without replacing the upper control arms, and yes they are serviceable with grease fittings and carry a lifetime guarantee as well. The lifetime guarantee is sweet and I ended up putting that to the test. After I replaced the crappy joints that Ford puts on there from the factory with a set of Moogs, I had one go bad after around 140,000 miles were put on it, swapped it for a new one, free, no questions asked. I've yet to replace my uppers, though they are due and I will probably do those before too long.

Man, I don't know where you went to get those kind of prices, but I'd stay the hell away from those folks, they are clearly trying to rip you off!! Are you doing the work yourself or are those prices for the parts and installation? Even if that is an all inclusive price, those people should be run out of business and town! Those parts are fairly easy to replace, especially the uppers, and most Autozones will lend you the ball joint press for free.

Edit: I see you have a 2008 F150, so I'm not sure if there is a difference between yours and my 2005, but I can't imagine there is. If you get a chance, can you post a pic of your lower's? I'm curious to see if there is a difference.

 

Man, you really had my curiousity going there. Alright, I just looked at Rock Auto's website and your truck takes all the same suspension parts mine does, so yes, your lower's are replaceable. I don't know what book you are reading. but I'd get rid of it and save yourself some money.

And btw, the prices have dropped quite a bit, Moog lower ball joints are $22 and some change right now, and Moog upper control arm/ball joint assemblies are around $74 right now. Hope this helps and good luck with this, hope you get it fixed.

 

I was told that my lower ball joints are going bad. How can I check??

 

Well, I went to Canadian Tire and Napa to get those prices. Napa was a little lower in price by about $1.30. And that is only for parts as I'll be doing the work myself. I wish i could say that they should be run out of business and town for those prices, but it's hard to do that to a national retail chain.

As luck has it for me though, I have friends who will be driving through the states where i will be picking up a set of the Moog control arm/ ball joint kits for both left and right. I'll be saving quite a bit of money and these look to be well worth it. I've decided on buying and replacing both now just so i don't have to deal with this later.

Oh, and the book that I have is a Haynes Manual. I thought it had some credibility as we have a good library of these books in the garage. They haven't steered me wrong yet, but I will definitely look into the lowers getting pressed out. I thought it was somewhat insane that they could not be serviced.