Ball joint question
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, FL
Ball joint question
Alright guys, question on ball joints here for my '04 4x4 250. I've recently picked up a creaking noise from my front end that is only noticeable when turning the steering wheel. The noise happens even with the SLIGHTEST wheel movement left or right. After getting under the truck, the noise seems to probably be coming from my left front upper ball joint. Knowing that this is a bear of a job, I am calling around for prices.
So far, one shop quoted me with Moog parts at about $825 for both sides upper and lower including the alignment. I called another local shop that's been around for 30 years and has a great reputation, and they are at about $680. However, they say they don't like the Moog joints and use something from NAPA- citing past installation difficulties with the Moog pieces. Of course, if I can save some money I am all for it but are the Moog joints the be-all-end-all?
Just looking for some advise here. While we are at it, how do these estimates sound- about right, high, low? Thanks, guys....
So far, one shop quoted me with Moog parts at about $825 for both sides upper and lower including the alignment. I called another local shop that's been around for 30 years and has a great reputation, and they are at about $680. However, they say they don't like the Moog joints and use something from NAPA- citing past installation difficulties with the Moog pieces. Of course, if I can save some money I am all for it but are the Moog joints the be-all-end-all?
Just looking for some advise here. While we are at it, how do these estimates sound- about right, high, low? Thanks, guys....
FTE Fan
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 344
Likes: 1
From: Winder, Georgia
I replaced mine with Moog parts and have not had any issues since. Completed the whole job in my driveway. I know I was nowhere near $600 in parts. I will have to look up the receipts in my F250 binder (seems to be growing by the day) and get back to you. I do remember making my own tool with plumbing parts from Home Depot to seat the axle seals properly.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
Just the ball joints installed is close to $1k here, parts and labor at the dealer. I am doing mine this weekend and also taking apart my front diff to replace the axle seal that is leaking. Parts cost me close to $600. I'm using Motorcraft though.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,055
Likes: 235
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
I did mine in the drivway and was around 600.00 by the time I bought all the seals Moog BJs made seal drivers bought special pullers to get the rusted parts apaRT Tourque wrenches to tighten the BJs just right its one thing if you have the stuff but if your like me I didnt save to much and had a big headache
For 680.00 Id let them have it its a PIA if its rusted together
Iv never Beat a vehicle that hard to get it apart
For 680.00 Id let them have it its a PIA if its rusted together
Iv never Beat a vehicle that hard to get it apart
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
I had mine done at Les Schwab (a Pacific Northwest Tire, etc chain) for $465.00 total. They used McQuay Norris joints. It was cheaper partly because they didn't need to do an alignment. They put it on the alignment machine after it was done and it was all in spec. They don't charge for alignments when it's already OK.
I spent some time researching the McQuay Norris joints. I couldn't find much on them and no complaints.
I spent some time researching the McQuay Norris joints. I couldn't find much on them and no complaints.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,055
Likes: 235
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
I had mine done at Les Schwab (a Pacific Northwest Tire, etc chain) for $465.00 total. They used McQuay Norris joints. It was cheaper partly because they didn't need to do an alignment. They put it on the alignment machine after it was done and it was all in spec. They don't charge for alignments when it's already OK.
I spent some time researching the McQuay Norris joints. I couldn't find much on them and no complaints.
I spent some time researching the McQuay Norris joints. I couldn't find much on them and no complaints.
Man David thats a great deal
everyone around here wanted 1200.00 thats how I ended up doing it myself
my 600.00 was still half plus I got some tools out of it and a good Tourque wrench that goes to 250 ft/lbs
are these McQuay Norris joints have a service zerts then they are probably ok
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
They put the grease fitting on the lower joint but not the upper one, because of the clearance issue.
The joints usually come with two fittings. A short straight one and a 90 degree one. I think someone once concluded that if you put the short straight on on the upper joint, the front axle u-joint wouldn't hit it. You just need a 90 degree adapter for your grease gun. People naturally thing the 90 degree one should go one the upper, so you can use a regular grease gun. But the 90 degree one gets hit by the front axle u-joint.
In the spring I'll take the plug out that the put in and go get the right fitting and see if I can make it work.
The joints usually come with two fittings. A short straight one and a 90 degree one. I think someone once concluded that if you put the short straight on on the upper joint, the front axle u-joint wouldn't hit it. You just need a 90 degree adapter for your grease gun. People naturally thing the 90 degree one should go one the upper, so you can use a regular grease gun. But the 90 degree one gets hit by the front axle u-joint.
In the spring I'll take the plug out that the put in and go get the right fitting and see if I can make it work.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Ethridge, TN
I bought a ball joint kit from the powerstrokeshop.com for $344. It includes Moog ball joints and all Ford seals to rebuild both sides. The item# is 4wdballjointkit.
Concerning greasing the upper joint, install the stright fitting and get a right angle coupler for the grease gun. I bought mine from TSC and it works great.
Concerning greasing the upper joint, install the stright fitting and get a right angle coupler for the grease gun. I bought mine from TSC and it works great.
Last edited by BobbyB; Nov 29, 2011 at 11:23 AM. Reason: Grease
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
There is a pretty significant amount of labor involved in changing ball joints. The front hubs have to come off and the front axles have to come out. When they did mine, $236.50 was labor, the rest was parts. And they didn't have to do the alignment. Alignment is a fair amount in parts and labor as well, unless it's already within spec.
FTE Fan
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 344
Likes: 1
From: Winder, Georgia
Ball Joints
I checked my receipts from fall of 2008. Moog upper and lower for both sides were $283. I had to replace the inner and outer axle seals as well, which was an additional $115. the zerk fittings on the lower bj were modified to keep the axle from rubbing. I was the labor.
The axle seal tool was made with 1.25" x 8" nipple screwed into a flange with a cap on the other end.
The axle seal tool was made with 1.25" x 8" nipple screwed into a flange with a cap on the other end.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: Québec
Just did the 3 seal for now on one side, joint where replaced at dealer on warranty.
Planning to do left side in decembre, not in the driveway, it is below freezing now
It is quite a job to take apart. For a 2006, the joint driver does not work, the main one is a 4 inch seal, hard to pull out, hard to drive in.
It was not to bad to pull the hub, just used some scraper tap tap tap around.
I figure it will take me a FULL day for the other side, may be more. When you take the time to clean, buff, grease and sruff everything it takes time. The dealer or any garage will not do as good as you can do it, they will just wipe off and re-install.
Planning to do left side in decembre, not in the driveway, it is below freezing now
It is quite a job to take apart. For a 2006, the joint driver does not work, the main one is a 4 inch seal, hard to pull out, hard to drive in.
It was not to bad to pull the hub, just used some scraper tap tap tap around.
I figure it will take me a FULL day for the other side, may be more. When you take the time to clean, buff, grease and sruff everything it takes time. The dealer or any garage will not do as good as you can do it, they will just wipe off and re-install.
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