I have a F250 Super Duty crew cab Diesel pick up that I need to change the upper and lower ball joints out. This truck has 345,000 miles on it and has the original ball joints still in it.

My question to you all is how hard is it to change these and what procedure is involved in changing them.

Thanks in advance for the responses,
Larry

 

It isn't overly difficult, going through the passenger side on my truck now. A couple links below to look at while doing the ball joints.

Be prepared to replace, both ball joints, u-joints, dust seal and axle seals. Excellent time to lube the caliper slide pins and grease the unit-bearing.

2004 F250 Ball Joint Replacement

2004 F250 Front Axle U-Joint Replacement

2004 F250 Needle Bearing Replacement

Front ABS Grease-able Block Off Fitting for Ford 7.3L 99-04

 

It's fairly simple first remove the wheel. I always use a pry bar and pry the caliper pistons back in enough to remove the caliper and caliper bracket , Next remove the rotor. Remove the lockout hub and the snap ring behind it along with the 3 washers, metal fiber and metal be sure to keep them in order. Remove the tie rod from the knuckle then you can move the knuckle all the one to one side to remove 2 of the 4 bolts holding the hub assembly then turn the knuckle the other way and take the other 2 bolts out the the hub assembly can be pulled from the knuckle. If you have abs you'll have to remove the abs line also. There should be a plastic washer behind it remove this washer and the brake rotor sheild and you should be able to pull the axle shaft out. Now take the nuts off the ball joints and remove the whole knuckle (I had to torch mine off) but a large hammer should get the job done. Now that the knuckle is off you'll need a ball joint press to press out the old ball joints and to press the new ones in. I'd recommend greasing the ball joints real good before putting it all back together. I'd also inspect the u joints on the axle shaft and the needle bearings on the back of the hub assembly and grease the needle bearings also. Lay everything in the order you took it off and it'll be a breeze. Putting it back together is the same process and removing. Sorry if I forgot anything or misspelled anything let us know how it goes.

 

Thanks for the information guys