Ball Joint Replacement
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 451
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh, NC.
Ball Joint Replacement
Ok, time for Ball Joint replacement 170K miles. Did Driver side today. Overall, went well. A couple of rough spots, one trying to get the axle out, and the other trying to make proper spacers with ball joint removal/install tool.
But got it done. Next to passenger side tomorrow.
Only concern I have is when torquing the ball joints per specs, I noticed that the knuckle got really hard to turn by hand before I re-installed the tie rod.
Is this normal to be very tight? Driving tonight, I could definitely feel the stiffness when turning. It did not want to easily on it's own self straighten the wheel.
What has your experience been? Does this loosen up after driving for some time?
But got it done. Next to passenger side tomorrow.
Only concern I have is when torquing the ball joints per specs, I noticed that the knuckle got really hard to turn by hand before I re-installed the tie rod.
Is this normal to be very tight? Driving tonight, I could definitely feel the stiffness when turning. It did not want to easily on it's own self straighten the wheel.
What has your experience been? Does this loosen up after driving for some time?
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 13
From: Forest lake minnesota
Ok, time for Ball Joint replacement 170K miles. Did Driver side today. Overall, went well. A couple of rough spots, one trying to get the axle out, and the other trying to make proper spacers with ball joint removal/install tool.
But got it done. Next to passenger side tomorrow.
Only concern I have is when torquing the ball joints per specs, I noticed that the knuckle got really hard to turn by hand before I re-installed the tie rod.
Is this normal to be very tight? Driving tonight, I could definitely feel the stiffness when turning. It did not want to easily on it's own self straighten the wheel.
What has your experience been? Does this loosen up after driving for some time?
But got it done. Next to passenger side tomorrow.
Only concern I have is when torquing the ball joints per specs, I noticed that the knuckle got really hard to turn by hand before I re-installed the tie rod.
Is this normal to be very tight? Driving tonight, I could definitely feel the stiffness when turning. It did not want to easily on it's own self straighten the wheel.
What has your experience been? Does this loosen up after driving for some time?
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
luckily my install went easier...i dropped it off and picked it up finished haha
in two of my Ex's i had really bad worn out joints before, after the steering was much more solid feeling but still returned to center. I did not realize how loose the front end until it was fixed.
in two of my Ex's i had really bad worn out joints before, after the steering was much more solid feeling but still returned to center. I did not realize how loose the front end until it was fixed.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 13
From: Forest lake minnesota
I installed mine myself and my steering didn't return to center either so I took it to my alignment guy and he checked to make sure I didn't over torque them which I didn't. He said if I did that they would need to be popped out and reset to fix the binding. I have done ball joints , all tie rods, new redhead steering gearbox and alignment and the truck still doesn't steer nice or return to center. Maybe I am spoiled by my F150 which handles like a racecar...
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 451
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh, NC.
Thanks. I did some searching and found interestingly that the Moog's are problematic in the way of causing very stiff steering. Some folks took them out and re-installed with Ford Motorcraft and the problems went away and steering was back to normal.
At this point, I stopped and will go purchase the Motorcrafts and do the right side, then see if they are better or not. If not, then will leave as is and go get an alignment.
At this point, I stopped and will go purchase the Motorcrafts and do the right side, then see if they are better or not. If not, then will leave as is and go get an alignment.
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 451
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh, NC.
MOOG K80026 and MOOG K8607T. After driving around this weekend, the stiffness improved a small amount, but still gets tiring to steer on a longer drive. Someone mentioned about 5000 miles of driving before they noticed return to somewhat normal. Too long for me on waiting that long.
Just ordered the Motorcrafts today and will be replacing with them instead. Total, just under $150 for both sides.
Just ordered the Motorcrafts today and will be replacing with them instead. Total, just under $150 for both sides.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 451
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh, NC.
Yes, full of grease. If you do a search on internet, you will find a lot of discussions on this same issue with the moog's, thus why I decided that this must be the issue and will move on to the Motorcrafts and will post back results.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 13,710
Likes: 5
From: Manchester, CT
i have put XRF ball joints in both my trucks and did the install myself...my 03 diesel with 130k drives and handles so much better than my 03 gasser with 68k ever did. havent ran into the issue with a stiff knuckle though..
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 3
From: SW Ohio
I use moog on everything and have had zero issues!
There are a few things to cause the stiffness. You did follow the torque instructions, right?
You did clean everything? You put the camber bushing back in the same position as it was when you removed it?
If the axel shafts are back in, did you check the u-joints?
There are a few things to cause the stiffness. You did follow the torque instructions, right?
You did clean everything? You put the camber bushing back in the same position as it was when you removed it?
If the axel shafts are back in, did you check the u-joints?