frontend suspension
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New User
Joined: Jan 2013
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frontend suspension
My 2002 ford f150 4.6l frontend feels sloppy/loose when going over bumps big or small bumps.I raised frontend and there is alot of play both sides , everything moves inner/outer tie rods, idler , pitman.Idler is newer (and outer tie rod passenger side)but seems like it moves the most ,no boots ripped or torn.How to distinguish what needs changed i cant tell or just change it all $$$$$.Truck is in great shape , no rust and only 165000klm.Seems to be no up and down play in ball joints but all bushings pretty warn so was gonna change them .Any advice would be appreciated, thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,908
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From: Fort Smith, Arkansas
My 2002 ford f150 4.6l frontend feels sloppy/loose when going over bumps big or small bumps.I raised frontend and there is alot of play both sides , everything moves inner/outer tie rods, idler , pitman.Idler is newer (and outer tie rod passenger side)but seems like it moves the most ,no boots ripped or torn.How to distinguish what needs changed i cant tell or just change it all $$$$$.Truck is in great shape , no rust and only 165000klm.Seems to be no up and down play in ball joints but all bushings pretty warn so was gonna change them .Any advice would be appreciated, thanks
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New User
Joined: Jan 2013
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well i can do that , just thinking if 1 tierod ok thats 70 bucks not wasted .At this point im changing 2 inner outer tie rod ends , idler arm , pitman arm.$500
Another $300 control arm ball joints.Also steering box possibly lol just changed seal and it has a very small drip still.
I guess question is , should we have any play in these i can basically turn both wheels from one side quite a bit by hand.
Another $300 control arm ball joints.Also steering box possibly lol just changed seal and it has a very small drip still.
I guess question is , should we have any play in these i can basically turn both wheels from one side quite a bit by hand.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 354
Likes: 5
From: Katy, Republic of Texas
Where you buying parts?
I just bought 2 uppers control arms and 2 lower ball joints (all Moog parts) for ~$150 from Amazon.
Tie rod ends are ~$25 each for inner and outer, Idler arm, $70, Pitman arm, $35.
That is about $350 for all parts. Cost is about the same from Rockauto.com
These are for a 2wd, but 4wd parts should be about the same.
Edit: Here is a link to Amazon with the parts. When buying, check the cheaper listings, many have free shipping still, but may take 5-6 days to arrive.
I just bought 2 uppers control arms and 2 lower ball joints (all Moog parts) for ~$150 from Amazon.
Tie rod ends are ~$25 each for inner and outer, Idler arm, $70, Pitman arm, $35.
That is about $350 for all parts. Cost is about the same from Rockauto.com
These are for a 2wd, but 4wd parts should be about the same.
Edit: Here is a link to Amazon with the parts. When buying, check the cheaper listings, many have free shipping still, but may take 5-6 days to arrive.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
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with the tire off the ground you grab front and rear and pull- push and get the wobble.. Someone else has to look at each component while you do this and see what is actually moving relative to the other parts, and what is just moving just like the tire movement... MAYBE everything is shot, maybe just a few components.
Ball joints are OK.. but "bushings" are bad.. What bushings ?
Ball joints are OK.. but "bushings" are bad.. What bushings ?
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 354
Likes: 5
From: Katy, Republic of Texas
I know it would be a week or so before I did mine, so waiting for them to come is not a big deal for me. They are actually sitting in my garage waiting for me to get around to it.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 268
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From: Florida
I don't mean to hijack this thread, but maybe this will help. I recently installed ball joints and shocks (01' Supercrew 2wd, 206k mi.). That cured all the sloppiness in the ride and steering. I ordered the Moog upper control arm assy with ball joints already pressed in and then Moog K8695T lower ball joints, in the link above. The lower ball joints didn't fit, too loose. I measured the old ones at 1.752" and the new ones at 1.745". I called Moog and they confirmed the drawing called for 1.755". Not sure what happened. Got a pair from Autozone with same part number but branded as Federal Mogul (own Moog) and they fit perfectly. Returned the Moogs for a refund. Just wondering if anyone else had the same experience. All the reviews I read on the Moogs are great. Thanks.
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2005
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I recently overhauled my front end 2000 F150 and had much luck
in getting new parts with real greaseable ZERK fittings instead
of the stupid original Ford parts. Very helpful was being
able to borrow some special tools from the local auto parts store
to get it all done.
in getting new parts with real greaseable ZERK fittings instead
of the stupid original Ford parts. Very helpful was being
able to borrow some special tools from the local auto parts store
to get it all done.
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Replaced steering box and pitman arm got an alignment and it feels better now. Probably could do more but gonna wait a bit. Steering box leaked about a month ago I changed the seal out and started to seep a bit again so I just changed it out, so reason it kept leaking was because there was play in the pitman shaft also causing steering play .Thanks for inputs
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