02 F250 4x4 114,000 miles stock tires and suspension. After a few miles on the old girl(2000ish) there was a knock in the parking lot when I turned sharp at low speed. I found my driver side tierod zerk puking out all the grease that I had put in prior to my trip. Got a new zerk, refilled the grease but the knock has grown more frequent. The ball joints seem good (no in or out on vertical of the wheel), very little working the horizontal in and out. The tie rod seems a little loose when twisted but it feels and tracks solid when driving. Should I plan on replacing the ball joints as well or can i get by with just a tie rod replacement? Tires will be getting replaced this summer or fall and dont want to wear them out prematurely. Thanks in advance.

 

[QUOTE=GV02;19820389]02 F250 4x4 114,000 miles stock tires and suspension. After a few miles on the old girl(2000ish) there was a knock in the parking lot when I turned sharp at low speed.

I have had a knock for 1 year plus on my e99 w/190k. I checked and double checked *****, ties and pits - nothing jumped off the page. Changed tie-rods (with Moog) since they seemed in the "worse" shape of everything under there. No change. Always at low speed/just starting out/making a slow turn. The problem has spanned 2 inspection cycles up here and if the station thinks there is any sort of prob with the above noted gear, it is always "Well, we see that <insert component here> is <failing/about to let go/is worn out/could cause an accident> and this needs to be fixed to get an inspection". I never got that talk about suspension components. I have since convinced myself it is cab mount related. As I study them, they aren't as robust as they used to/need to be and will require getting addressed soon. Seems more prevalent when it is cold by the way. Take a look at your cab mounts, something might jump off the page for you.

 

I can definitely feel it in the tierod when i do it stopped. Didn't know if one worn typically means the others are shortly behind.

 

Another source for knocks is the sway bar end links. Rubber rots away. Knock is usually described as felt in the floor board more than heard however.

 

aawlberninf350,
Thanks for saving me from doing the draglink! Here are my sway bar end links. The upper bushings were super loose. I put prothane bushings in the stock endlinks. No instructions and had some fitment issues. Quiet for a quick trip around the neighborhood.

 

Axle shaft u-joints? Your description reminds me of the knock a front wheel drive or IFS 4wd makes when they have a cv axle about to go.