Alignment Shop - 'Axle Joint'
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Alignment Shop - 'Axle Joint'
I took my 84 4x4 F150 to the alignment shop yesterday and was told it needed the right and left 'axle joints' and new tie rod ends to the tune of $900. I told them i would pick it up and install the stuff myself and bring it back for the alignment.
I never thought to ask but i assume when they said 'axle joints' they are really referring to ball joints. I can't imagine they were referring to anything else in terms of worn front suspension/steering components but in thinking about it i guess they could have meant the axle u-joints. Would worn axle u-joints affect alignment? They have to be talking about ball joints right?
Will probably call them monday to clarify but any thoughts in the meantime?
I never thought to ask but i assume when they said 'axle joints' they are really referring to ball joints. I can't imagine they were referring to anything else in terms of worn front suspension/steering components but in thinking about it i guess they could have meant the axle u-joints. Would worn axle u-joints affect alignment? They have to be talking about ball joints right?
Will probably call them monday to clarify but any thoughts in the meantime?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Wagener, SC
Wow, $900
Sounds like you need to prepare for a front end project. Save yourself a ton of money, and do some upgrading while you're at it. C-Clip elimination, D50 stub shaft, etc. Do all the joints and ends yourself, then take it in for the alignment.
Is this your daily driver?
Sounds like you need to prepare for a front end project. Save yourself a ton of money, and do some upgrading while you're at it. C-Clip elimination, D50 stub shaft, etc. Do all the joints and ends yourself, then take it in for the alignment.
Is this your daily driver?
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It sounded a bit steep but they were nice enough and assumed i would do it myself even told me to bring it back for an alignment when i was done. What are these upgrades you are referring to, clip elimination and D50 stub shaft?
I've done ball joints before on front wheel drive vehicles and in most cases was able to do them while on the car. In looking at the schematic for the front axle it looks like I need to pull the knuckle off for the ball joints. Then the u-joints are right there anyways. I guess if i'm going to replace the ball joints i may as well do the u-joints if i'm in there.
Yep, this is the daily driver. Its snowing here now, i'll probably wait until next weekend and allow a full day to get it all handled.
I've done ball joints before on front wheel drive vehicles and in most cases was able to do them while on the car. In looking at the schematic for the front axle it looks like I need to pull the knuckle off for the ball joints. Then the u-joints are right there anyways. I guess if i'm going to replace the ball joints i may as well do the u-joints if i'm in there.
Yep, this is the daily driver. Its snowing here now, i'll probably wait until next weekend and allow a full day to get it all handled.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Broken Arrow , OK
The axle joints are probably the u joints in the axle. To do all 3 you are going to have to pull the diff to get into the inside joint on the passenger side. However, I cant see all the parts you mentioned costing more than $150.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lost
If the axle u-joints are dry/binding, it can cause driveability issues from the wheels not wanting to turn & return to center as they should.
I would either get a second opinion, or at least ask the shop to elaborate on what they found. Axle u-joints and ball joints are both pretty involved when it comes to replacement, but not overly difficult. I bet a good portion of that $900 was labor.
I would either get a second opinion, or at least ask the shop to elaborate on what they found. Axle u-joints and ball joints are both pretty involved when it comes to replacement, but not overly difficult. I bet a good portion of that $900 was labor.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
They could also be referring to axle pivot bushings, especially on an '84. They rot, dry out, and can cause alignment problems.
I would clarify, or you can just jack it up and see for yourself where there's play.
I would clarify, or you can just jack it up and see for yourself where there's play.
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From: Virginia
If you do this yourself, you will realize after a couple of days why they wanted to charge you $900. It's a pretty big job, expecially of you are going to do both sides. A lot of beating and banging, a lot of parts to take off, and some special tools are going to be needed like a ball-joint press.
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Can somebody please help? I went to get truck aligned and they stated I need to replace pivot on right axle. Does it need to be pressed(take to a shop) or can I just replace the pivot myself?? This is on a 1993 F250 7.3 disel. Also what does the ball joints have to do with the pivot on the axle?
Last edited by bbhamlin; Feb 5, 2012 at 10:18 AM. Reason: model of truck
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From: Missouri
Can somebody please help? I went to get truck aligned and they stated I need to replace pivot on right axle. Does it need to be pressed(take to a shop) or can I just replace the pivot myself?? This is on a 1993 F250 7.3 disel. Also what does the ball joints have to do with the pivot on the axle?
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New User
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Ford F250 7.3 4/d disel
Can somebody help? I took my truck to be aligned, and they stated I need a pivot on right axle. Does the pivot need to be pressed or can I just have it replaced myself? And one more thing I have been readind some of the post and i keep seeing ball joints mentioned. What does the ball joints have to do with the pivot being repalced?
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Do I need to take the whell and everything off the right side to replace it? I am going to attempt to do this myself if I don't have to take everything off. Because looking at it, it doesn't seem that complicated. So does it need to be pressed or not?
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From: Virginia
There are two pivot bushings in the middle front of the truck. It's what the whole long suspension arm pivots on in the middle. One for each side.
I did mine and it was not that simple(maybe I make things hard). I had to jack the truck up and support it on the front of the frame. I had to then put a jack under the axle itself.
I was able to pry the axle down, and then drive the old bushing out. Getting the new one in was a problem. I had to get some all-thread rod, some large washers, and a cup from my balljoint press, put the all thread through the new bushing and the axle pivot with the washers and cup, and use the all-thread with nuts to actually squeeze the new bushing in place.
I did mine and it was not that simple(maybe I make things hard). I had to jack the truck up and support it on the front of the frame. I had to then put a jack under the axle itself.
I was able to pry the axle down, and then drive the old bushing out. Getting the new one in was a problem. I had to get some all-thread rod, some large washers, and a cup from my balljoint press, put the all thread through the new bushing and the axle pivot with the washers and cup, and use the all-thread with nuts to actually squeeze the new bushing in place.
