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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

ball joint how to

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Old Mar 13, 2014 | 02:05 PM
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ball joint how to

Anybody have a write up on this job on a 2x4 f150?
Wondering how far I have to take it apart.

Wondering if I can just disconnect the tie rod and press them in one at a time.
 
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Old Mar 13, 2014 | 06:44 PM
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You have to take the spindle out and press both out at the same time, lower 1 1st, then upper. Then install upper 1st and then lower.
 
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Old Mar 13, 2014 | 07:51 PM
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Sounds easy enough. Hoping I can get this done fairly quickly.
 
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Old Mar 13, 2014 | 09:17 PM
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Pick up a manual, and make sure you have a torque wrench. Also borrow/rent/buy a ball joint press. It's important the ball joints get torqued to the correct spec in the correct order, or you may get memory steer. Also remember how the camber bushing was installed.
 
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Old Mar 13, 2014 | 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by blkF250HD
Pick up a manual, and make sure you have a torque wrench. Also borrow/rent/buy a ball joint press. It's important the ball joints get torqued to the correct spec in the correct order, or you may get memory steer. Also remember how the camber bushing was installed.
Lol. I have all that. I'm not new to turning wrenches, just fairly new to these trucks. I've been building mustangs for 10 years but only been messing with trucks for a year.
 
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Old Mar 13, 2014 | 09:43 PM
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It shouldnt be too bad being a 2wd F150. It took me ~9-10 hrs to do all 4 ball joints, pads, and rotors on my 4wd F250 with hand tools only. Bent two ball joint presses (big matco ratchet!) in the process. They were in tight!
 
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Old Mar 13, 2014 | 10:19 PM
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I hope it doesn't take that long. I have some experience and know how it all should go together so it shouldn't be too bad.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2014 | 08:38 AM
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plan on a two day job.
i did a 91 last year, the passenger side took 6 hours because everything was seized except for the ball joint sockets. they fell apart..
next day the driver side two 2 hours because everything came apart with no problems..

plan on replacing the tie rod ends while you have it apart.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2014 | 08:40 AM
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I was hoping I wouldn't have to do that. I have air tools so it shouldn't be hard to get everything apart.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2014 | 09:11 AM
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i have air tools, presses, and just about everything else too.
i ended up having to use an air chisel to drive the passenger side camber bushing out after heating it up with the torches, and then had to use a 5 lb sledge to beat the spindle/ balljoints out of the axle after heating them up.
the driver side fell out after unbolting it.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2014 | 09:17 AM
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I recently had a front end alignment so it was apart about 6 months ago. That's probably to my benefit.
 
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