Ball Joints

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Sep 6, 2012 | 09:24 AM

Jumpdummy

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Joined: Mar 2012

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From: North East Arkansas

Ball Joints

How hard and time consuming is it to replace the upper and lower ball joints? We have replaced the tie rods and center link but when traveling at highway speeds and hit any type of hole the front passenger wheel shakes but after you slow down it goes away. Any ideas on what it could be other than ball joints. It was doing this before we replaced the tie rods. I am sure the ball joints have never been replaced and have 240,000 miles on them

1983 Ford F100
2WD

Sep 6, 2012 | 09:35 AM

Sw1tchfoot

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Joined: Oct 2010

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From: Missouri

I wouldn't replace them unless they need replaced. Jack up one side at a time and give the wheel a good tub, left right up down and see if you notice any movement. Maybe have someone else watching the balljoints and other components for you.

I replaced my balljoints on one side and it took half the day, because I wasn't in a hurry and I didn't know what I was doing. Plus I cracked the balljoint press and had to run and exchange it for another. I bet I could do it in 2 hours if I had to do it again.

You can probably tell if they have been replaced by looking at them. If they are greasable then they have more than likely been replaced. The originals on my 1982 were not greasable. That does not mean they wouldn't be bad though. My truck had the originals on the drivers side and replacements on the passenger side. The ones that had been replaced were already bad! The non greasable 30 year old balljoints on the drivers side are still nice and solid.

Sep 6, 2012 | 09:59 AM

ctubutis

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From: Denver Metro Area, CO

http://www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/t...ent-18945.html

And some videos:

Video: How to Press Out a Truck's Lower Ball Joint | eHow.com

Video: How to Install a Truck's Lower Ball Joint | eHow.com

I would take it to a front-end/alignment shop that works on trucks and ask them to inspect the front end, cost should be reasonable.

Sep 6, 2012 | 11:30 AM

Jumpdummy

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From: North East Arkansas

Thanks, believe I will have it checked out.

Sep 6, 2012 | 11:48 AM

BeerCan500

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Joined: Aug 2012

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From: Ft. Worth

Ball Joints

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctubutis

That's good advise ctubutis...I would also add that if the truck is taken to the right shop and asked if the mechanic would let the owner observe the inspection and also to explain the system and what to look for...I did this many years ago and the mechanic was more than happy to teach...

And working on the steering and suspension is really not difficult at all. However, because tires and parts are somewhat expensive...I do not try to "align" or "balance" anything myself...

Just my thinking...

BeerCan500