Yet another problem
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 43
From: Land of Taxes
WHOLLY SHEET...your are one lucky guy. Scares me too! Thats probably the worst Ive seen in my 40 years of wrenching at least on a solid axle Ford. I've seen independent front ends come apart on the highway but never a solid.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green, OH
I'm pretty sure mine is an independent front axle. It has two separate beams going to each wheel in the front. Im kind of at a stall right now, because it seems I'm missing a part that holds the upper ball joint in place. I'm thinking it is the camber/caster alignment bushing, but I"m not sure.
But I got the old joints out and the new ones in in the time that it wasn't raining yesterday.
But I got the old joints out and the new ones in in the time that it wasn't raining yesterday.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green, OH
Finally finished! Feels like forever since I started this work, but I managed to get it done between classes, work, and weather. Murphy's Law also gave me a hand whenever possible too. Got the ball joints on the drivers side changed, and put in a new caster/camber alignment bushing as well.
I tried to change the passenger side as well, but the mechanic who changed them last, for some reason replaced the standard 29mm castle nut with a 34mm nut. I spent hours and hours running back and forth swapping out tools from O'Reilly's to find the right size. Once we found it, I discovered that all of their sockets were too tall to fit on the lower ball joint nut with the wrench on it. So I spent more time driving around town to different stores to try to find the right size. Nothing. So, since the passenger side wasn't bad, I decided to hold off until I go home in a couple weeks and borrow a socket from my mechanic or a store down there. On the bright side though, I now have a nice new 1 1/2 inch and 1 1/8 inch wrench to change out the ball on my hitch. Home Depot - $9
All in all, it was a decent learning experience, and I saved a ton of money. For the ball joints for both sides, the alignment bushing, plus the tools I bought that I'll keep, I spent right around $200-$250. Feeling pretty good about that! And O'Reilly was awesome as well, extremely helpful and patient with me. They've definitely earned my business in the future. And thanks again for everyone's help on here! Without this site, I most likely would have been going to a mechanic!
Ryan
I tried to change the passenger side as well, but the mechanic who changed them last, for some reason replaced the standard 29mm castle nut with a 34mm nut. I spent hours and hours running back and forth swapping out tools from O'Reilly's to find the right size. Once we found it, I discovered that all of their sockets were too tall to fit on the lower ball joint nut with the wrench on it. So I spent more time driving around town to different stores to try to find the right size. Nothing. So, since the passenger side wasn't bad, I decided to hold off until I go home in a couple weeks and borrow a socket from my mechanic or a store down there. On the bright side though, I now have a nice new 1 1/2 inch and 1 1/8 inch wrench to change out the ball on my hitch. Home Depot - $9
All in all, it was a decent learning experience, and I saved a ton of money. For the ball joints for both sides, the alignment bushing, plus the tools I bought that I'll keep, I spent right around $200-$250. Feeling pretty good about that! And O'Reilly was awesome as well, extremely helpful and patient with me. They've definitely earned my business in the future. And thanks again for everyone's help on here! Without this site, I most likely would have been going to a mechanic!
Ryan
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