Ball Joint Expected Life Span
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 43
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From: San Diego
Ball Joint Expected Life Span
Gents,
I seriously go through ball joints at an alarming rate. At 98K miles, replaced all four ball joints, at 120K, a trusted mechanic says he can't align the truck because upper ball joints are gone, replaced them again. Now at 130K, another good mechanic says he can't align it due to bad ball joints. I tend to believe these guys b/c the truck has been aligned at several different places with the same comment, including the guy at the Virginia safety inspection place, who barely passed me due to worn ball joints. So what kind of mileage do you guys get on them? Any ideas on the cause of this? I really do need new bushings, could that be a problem?
Thanks!
Loren
I seriously go through ball joints at an alarming rate. At 98K miles, replaced all four ball joints, at 120K, a trusted mechanic says he can't align the truck because upper ball joints are gone, replaced them again. Now at 130K, another good mechanic says he can't align it due to bad ball joints. I tend to believe these guys b/c the truck has been aligned at several different places with the same comment, including the guy at the Virginia safety inspection place, who barely passed me due to worn ball joints. So what kind of mileage do you guys get on them? Any ideas on the cause of this? I really do need new bushings, could that be a problem?
Thanks!
Loren
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsville
Ball Joint Expected Life Span
Presently I have 205,000 miles on my ball joints. They are Ford factory original. When the time comes Ford factory original will be installed. Basically ball joint wear is caused by rough terrain or pot hole filled roads.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
Ball Joint Expected Life Span
Installation procedure maybe?
I just replaced the ball joints on my daugheter's Sentra, and saw opportunies to mess them up. Ended up buying ball joint press and an expansion kit -- man, their expensive. I figured with all the old cars my family drives I'll use it again.
I just replaced the ball joints on my daugheter's Sentra, and saw opportunies to mess them up. Ended up buying ball joint press and an expansion kit -- man, their expensive. I figured with all the old cars my family drives I'll use it again.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Safford, Arizona
Ball Joint Expected Life Span
Sorry to hijack this post, but since we are talking about ball joints -
I installed some new ones with grease fittings. The problem is that you can't get the gun to the fittings on the upper joints. Any suggestions?
I installed some new ones with grease fittings. The problem is that you can't get the gun to the fittings on the upper joints. Any suggestions?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Safford, Arizona
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Beer Fridge Finder
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 14,988
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From: Savannah, GA
Ball Joint Expected Life Span
Be careful using the 90 degree fittings - they can be larger and get sheared off by the axle shaft. Just make sure you have enough clearance, clarance.
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 41
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From: Philipsburg USA
Ball Joint Expected Life Span
I just finished replacing my left side balljoints for the 5th time in 3 years. I replaced them on March 3rd of this year and now just yesterday. This time I didnt go to Advanced or Napa I went to FORD and got a set. I paid twice as much and used a press to put them in so I think I did it the right way this time. The balljoints from FORD have a place for a cotter key on the lower balljoint when all of the other ones never did.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Charter Oak, Iowa
Ball Joint Expected Life Span
Tucker Lucas,
Don't feel dumb and don't put 90deg zerks on. NAPA has a fitting for your grease gun that SLIDES ON from the side of the zerk. Works slicker than snot. Cost's about $9.
Randy
Don't feel dumb and don't put 90deg zerks on. NAPA has a fitting for your grease gun that SLIDES ON from the side of the zerk. Works slicker than snot. Cost's about $9.
Randy
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Ball Joint Expected Life Span
45 degree zerks work the best. I put teflon tape on mine and turned them so they point strait ahead when the wheels are going straight. I have 5,000 miles on my joints and they are still tight. Need an alignment though, wanders too!!! much.
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frank b
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