Changing ball joints
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Changing ball joints
Hey this is a great forum. I had a question hopefully someone can help with.
I took a look at the setup and was wondering how to press the front lower ball joints out. It doesn't look like a regular C-type press will fit and I'm not sure about which combo sissors-style press will work. Is a special adapter needed like the E350? Pickle fork?
Thanks John
I took a look at the setup and was wondering how to press the front lower ball joints out. It doesn't look like a regular C-type press will fit and I'm not sure about which combo sissors-style press will work. Is a special adapter needed like the E350? Pickle fork?
Thanks John
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg, IL
sorry, i don't know the procedure, but thought i'd share my experience. when my '97 e150 needed ball joints, i started calling around. ALL the quotes were in the $700-800 range, depending on if i wanted bj's with zerk fittings. the joints weren't that expensive, it was the labor that was the killer. everyone said it was a several hour job. then i happened to call a small local place. quoted me $400. they got the job! bill came to $402 including tax, including zerk fittings. the moral is, it seems to be a pretty tough job, but if you decide to have someone else do it, be sure to call around.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thanks for the info, it actually took about 20 minutes to get the van in the air and everything apart and ready to be pressed out, but I was a little stumped on how to proceed.
New joints and front brake pads from a dealership were already bought and I've checked the net for tools but haven't found the info yet and want to get it done right, not just get it done.
New joints and front brake pads from a dealership were already bought and I've checked the net for tools but haven't found the info yet and want to get it done right, not just get it done.
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Santa Rosa, CA
Originally posted by 98 clubwagon
Good idea, reading the book
Good idea, reading the book
I think I have a ball joint problem on my e350xlt. The right front tire bulges on the inside (and not on the outside at all) when parked on flat ground, and there's a strip of heavily-worn tire on the inside of the tire. Definitely a camber problem, and it's probably not the lower radius arm, because the wheel is tilted out.
I'd like to do the work myself as well, but first I need to troubleshoot the problem.
Question for you guys who have done this before: how can I troubleshoot a ball joint? Is there any way to figure out whether the ball joint or the knuckle (is this called a kingpin?) needs replacing?
Right now I'm thinking about jacking that end of the van up and seeing if I can wiggle the wheel around. What I mean is try to push and pull the tire to add or remove camber, if that makes sense. If I can feel slop, then something must be wrong, right?
Got any other suggestions?
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Canada
How about some more information, the year, the make, I know Ford, F or E-350? 4x4? Been there done that, I have had alot of experience on Fords in the last while that no-one could shake a stick at. I will help with what I know.
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Santa Rosa, CA
Originally posted by GLASMECH
How about some more information, the year, the make, I know Ford, F or E-350? 4x4? Been there done that, I have had alot of experience on Fords in the last while that no-one could shake a stick at. I will help with what I know.
How about some more information, the year, the make, I know Ford, F or E-350? 4x4? Been there done that, I have had alot of experience on Fords in the last while that no-one could shake a stick at. I will help with what I know.
I read something about pre-92 E350s had one kind of front suspension, and 92s and later had a different kind. Can you help me out: what's on the front of my van?!
Thanks very much for your help. I appreciate it.
Last edited by wsitch; Feb 13, 2004 at 05:52 PM.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Sorry Will, I left something out of the fax, Ball Joint and Spindle checking.
Raise and support vehicle. Ensure wheel bearings are properly adjusted,. Grasp lower edge of tire and move wheel in and out while watching for spindle movement. Movement at upper and lower arms for both spindle and ball joints cannot exceed 1/32 of an inch. If it does replace ball joints/spindle pins and bushings.
Raise and support vehicle. Ensure wheel bearings are properly adjusted,. Grasp lower edge of tire and move wheel in and out while watching for spindle movement. Movement at upper and lower arms for both spindle and ball joints cannot exceed 1/32 of an inch. If it does replace ball joints/spindle pins and bushings.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
slim pickens
Excursion - King of SUVs
5
Dec 31, 2008 03:56 PM