Hello All,
I have been lurking around on and off for over a year. Wanted to say thanks for the info I have received. I have listed my fleet below (yes there are a couple of non-fords) along with mileage and issues.
1995 E-250 I-6 243k (non-op due to rust, for sale or parts)
1997 E-250 5.4 218k (non-op, now a parts donor)
1999 E-350 V-10 SRW box truck 198K (new head, repeated front end issues)
2001 E-350 V-10 SRW box truck 210k (non-op due to blow head gasket)
2004 E-250 5.4 48k
2004 E-250 ext 5.4 76k
2004 E-250 5.4 90K
2004 E-350 DRW box truck 120k 6.0 TD(non-op due to possible blown turbo, working on repairs)
2005 Chevy Express 3500 box (yeah I know)
2006 F-350 ext cab DRW 6.0 TD (my daily)
2007 E-350 5.4 105K
2007 E-350 5.4 62k (totalled in 2009, parts donor, still need to get drivetrain out)
2008 E-250 4.6 108K (eats ball joint)
2008 E-250 5.4 98K (eats ball joint)
2008 F-450 V10 4x4 36K (had trans replaced at 32K, under warranty)
2008 LCF-55 4.5 TD 72K (don't ask, POS)
2000 Isuzu NQR 82K (never has a problem)
2011 Isuzu NRR 3K (jury still out)
1969 Chevy C-10 (my hot rod pick-up project)
2009 BMW 328I (don't ask, hopefully gone soon)

As you can see I my have my hands full with e-series vans. Thanks again for all the help in the past and look forward to everyone's input in the future.

Any know why the 2008s seem to go through ball joints way more than any of the other years?

Scott

 

Wow! Now that's a fleet of Blue Oval stuff-----you should be a great source of info and experience relating to E Vans. IMHO there's

Now we have to ask if you'll be switching to the Transit's when they're available?

Ball joint wise I've not read a lot about the '08's eating them that quickly. Maybe check their build dates---could be something like a bad batch used during a small window of time? I'm assuming normal maintenance steps are taken--most likely the OEM ball joints don't have grease fittings? Any other front suspension issues with your '08's ??

Those Isuzu's are good trucks in my experience---great for city use since they're fairly maneuverable for cargo space that size.

Welcome to FTE's Forums BTW---glad to have ya !!

 

Thanks for the welcome, JWA. As far as the Transit goes, I am not sure. Most of my vans have to be able to tow a 7,000lbs piece of equipment on a regular basis. The new transit will have to prove itself, before I purchase one. I have always thought is was unusual that my 4.6L V8 vans seem to tow that piece of equipment better than the 5.4L V8 vans. Yes they are slower off the line, but once moving they just seem to be happier.

 

hi, welcome

 

Welcome, and trade that 328i you aren't happy with for about a 10 yr old one and you'll be happy! You can actually maintain them yourself, which is not something BMW wants us to do anymore. I have 2 of em (and a Ford van), and love all three.

 

The BWM was a leased company vehicle when I purchased the company last year. I have disliked it since the day the previous owner of the company dropped it off. I would have to agree with you on older BMWs. I still have, which I forgot to list, a 1988 Mercedes 300se. It is a barge to drive, but very easy to work on myself. Have over a 250K miles on it and still running strong, however I never drive it anymore. There is just something about the german cars on the late 70s through the mid 90s, that I like. They can keep the rest of them.

 

Hey, welcome to the forum.

In addition to my '02 E150, I have a '91 BMW 318is that I have owned since 1994 and it definitely fits the "ultimate driving machine" slogan that BMW used to use and is now using again. Buzzy twincam 4 cylinder/5 speed, sport seats and suspension from the factory; they made it for one year and it is like a poor man's E30 M3. And almost 30 mpg. It's almost mint, only has 122k miles, and is kind of a garage queen but I could not bear to ever sell it.

You definitely have a lot of Ford vans. No idea on the 2008 ball joints; I would change them out for some quality US made parts with grease fittings and keep them full of grease.

George

 

hello,welcome!

 

Well my 2008 E250 with the 4.6 just had both upper and both lower ball joints replaced. I did make sure they were US parts and the lower ball joints were greaseable. I am going to run it up to the alignment shop on Saturday. We will see if these ball joints do the trick or not. This van has 110K miles on it now, including the ones it came from the factory with, this makes the 4th set. Which is crazy to me. My 1997 E250 has 218K on it and only every had the lower ball joints replaced.

 

LOTS of shops source autozone and advance parts. The cheap parts (what they often use) are incredibly awful, and will not live very long. Bad balance and alignment will also cause the balljoints to wear out quickly.