I am trying a couple of other tricks to tighten up my steering a bit before I head to the ball joints. I have replaced some very worn tie rod ends & drag link. No more play in the joints. I replaced the ball joints about 6 yrs ago and haven't done any hard driving with it but if it comes to it I will replace them again. Still need to check them.
First going to try and adjust the steering box. (Hopefully not he steering box). If no go then new ball joints will be done.
But...since I am sliding out the axle shafts and seals and pulling the hubs, I thought I would replace the vacuum lines to the hubs and new yellow o-rings to seal it for the ESOF as it doesn't work completely.
It will sometimes lock the hubs. I just have gotten into the habit of locking them manually if i need it.
So...What else?
Hub o-rings
axle seal
.....

Gimmie a list of things to replace while I am in there. I hate taking apart the front end so I would rather do it once.

Thanks all!

 

I just replaced mine. Did brakes, pads & flushed fluid, bought seals to check bearings (2WD) they were still good so I just repacked them. Steering was good replaced one boot. Did ball joints and then had front end aligned and rotated tires. Front camber sleeve on drivers-side needed replacement, but it was still the original Ford sleeve. It sure did make a big difference!

 

Here is a great write up last list parts and #'s with pics.
When you tighten the box have someone moving the steering wheel slightly to tell when the play is gone.When you test drive it,make sure the wheel comes back on it's on and you do not have to turn it all the way back.If this happens the box is too tight and that is a problem.Most of the time you do not have to tighten the box much.

Ford Super Duty Ball Joint Replacement Procedure | Superdutypsd.com

Good luck

 

The comes with all the seals you need including the yellow ESOF. Non greasable but that's OK and OEM baby.

Ditto on do the brakes, at least pads if you need them and lube the slide pins. Have new hubs on hand if yours are bad, or shoot some grease in the ABS hole if they are good and you have ABS.

Start early, it takes time. I had tons of help from Tim (Timf150) and Chet (Bonanza35) but still only finished one side. Passenger side was fine anyway and I'm still rolling on it almost a year later...

 

Oh I remember what it took to do them 5 yrs ago so I plan on using a whole weekend. It wasn't pretty them so at least this time I will have what I need instead of chasing around for tools. Got the press for the ball joints, pickle forks, even the parts for the homemade tool to seat the axle seals. Just gotta weld it together.
As for the ball joints, if I need me, I have decided on Moog. I replaced the last ones with OEM and if they are bad, I don't want to have to do it again in another 5 yrs.
maybe I'll take a couple of days off work and just take my time over 4 days

 

It would also be a really good time to replace the axle shaft universals.

 

Oh! Good idea! I had totally forgot about those. I know they are the originals.
Thanks!

 

I recommend the little abs grease fitting adapter for the wheel bearings that riffraff sells, while its exposed it will buy you some time before they need replacement

 

Inner axle seals were weeping on mine when I pulled it apart. Added expense and time to the job. Those little seals were not cheap!

 

No they are not. Like a seal within a seal that spins.