Replace Upper Ball Joints, Only
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4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 4
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From: Seattle metro
Replace Upper Ball Joints, Only
Last Spring, the Ford dealer in Phx handed me their inspection report and recommended “replace upper ball joints” on my 2006 F350 with 303,000 miles. They did not mention lower ball joints.
Symptoms of upper ball joints needing replacement is evident. My question is would you automatically replace both uppers/lowers or do folks sometimes replace just the uppers per Ford dealer recommendation?
Symptoms of upper ball joints needing replacement is evident. My question is would you automatically replace both uppers/lowers or do folks sometimes replace just the uppers per Ford dealer recommendation?
Trailering
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 16
Likes: 7
From: Chicago
I changed all four ball joints on my 05 F250XL 2wd at the same time. On my truck, the entire knuckle had to be removed to press out the ball joints. Might as well do all four. At 300k miles, they’re all probably worn anyway.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 988
Likes: 364
From: Republic of Texas
You need to take the entire knuckle off as mentioned above... Do all 4 ball joints as the older joints if left in will not last much longer and take out the new joints.
It will be wasted time and money.
Check out the tie rods thoroughly while you are there.
It will be wasted time and money.
Check out the tie rods thoroughly while you are there.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,054
Likes: 1,611
Yeah I agree with the above, if the uppers need replaced you might as well do the lowers too. The entire knuckle has to come off, you might as well do it once instead of doing it now and then again in another 6 months and pay the labor a 2nd time.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 898
Likes: 288
From: E TN
Last Spring, the Ford dealer in Phx handed me their inspection report and recommended “replace upper ball joints” on my 2006 F350 with 303,000 miles. They did not mention lower ball joints.
Symptoms of upper ball joints needing replacement is evident. My question is would you automatically replace both uppers/lowers or do folks sometimes replace just the uppers per Ford dealer recommendation?
Symptoms of upper ball joints needing replacement is evident. My question is would you automatically replace both uppers/lowers or do folks sometimes replace just the uppers per Ford dealer recommendation?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,054
Likes: 1,611
Last spring was only a few months ago, and if he doesn't drive the truck much he hasn't put many miles on it. Maybe it's not his daily driver and is just trying to get it ready for winter?
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4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 4
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From: Seattle metro
Thanks for the replies, guys. I’ll do all 4 and have them check tie rod ends at the same time. Sure wish I could find a good independent mechanic ti do the work, I have looked on Craigslist before with no luck, any idea on how I can find independent mechanics?
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4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2024
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From: Seattle metro
https://iatn.net/repair
Repair shops that belong to this network are generally good shops.
Repair shops that belong to this network are generally good shops.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,054
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Depending on where you live it can be an undertaking to do this yourself. Yes, it can be done, but you've got to have a GOOD ball joint press to get the ball joints in/out, especially if you live in the Rust Belt. I didn't, so I ended up taking them to a shop that charged me $100 to press them out and press in new ones...IF you can find a shop that will do it. In the area I lived in a lot of shops didn't want to touch it unless they took it apart. It likely won't be like that everywhere, just something I ran into.
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4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2024
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From: Seattle metro
I am a lousy mechanic with inadequate tools. I got quoted $1,450 plus tax for upper and lower ball joints from local Ford dealer. Two independent shops were at 1,700 including tax.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 898
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From: E TN
WOW! Shame you're so far away, that sounds like crazy money for 4 ball joints. Don't know if there are any parts stores with a machine shop near you but they would press them in and out for you especially if you bought the parts from them.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,054
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Odd that the dealer is coming in cheaper than the independent shops, but if you don't have tools or skills then yeah, you pretty much are going to need to take it in. Definitely do both uppers and lowers, the parts last I checked are $50-100 so you won't save much now by doing only uppers, and in 6 months you will be shelling out again for the lowers.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,303
Likes: 576
From: Amarillo, TEXAS!
I'd never pull a steering knuckle, change only one ball joint out of 2 and reinstall it. Even if I had to pay for the other ball joint out of my own pocket, the knuckle would have two new ball joints before it went back in.
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