Ball Joint replacement

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Mar 20, 2004 | 02:33 AM

ram1

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Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 33

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From: Portage, Pa.

Ball Joint replacement

OK guys, everybody kept helping me find the clunk in the front end of my superduty. Thanks, and it is the R.F lower ball joint. My truck is an 02 4x4 and I'd like to try to replace it myself. I'd probably have to fight with the dealer, but the truck only has 21,000 miles. Is that kind of early for a worn ball joint? Roads are rough here but, anyway, I have done ball joints on old Chevelles and some other older cars, but whats involved to doing them on this truck? Any special tools? Thanks, and oh yea, thanks for helping me find it too...

Mar 20, 2004 | 05:19 AM

79CEEJAY

Elder User

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 656

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From: South of you

Re: Ball Joint replacement

Quote:

Originally posted by ram1
OK guys, everybody kept helping me find the clunk in the front end of my superduty. Thanks, and it is the R.F lower ball joint. My truck is an 02 4x4 and I'd like to try to replace it myself. I'd probably have to fight with the dealer, but the truck only has 21,000 miles. Is that kind of early for a worn ball joint? Roads are rough here but, anyway, I have done ball joints on old Chevelles and some other older cars, but whats involved to doing them on this truck? Any special tools? Thanks, and oh yea, thanks for helping me find it too...

For the expense and hassle of replacing that ball joint on a truck with only 21,000 miles, I would take it straight to the dealer. There should not be any hassles on this fix! I personally don't like my truck being at the dealer. And I too would rather fix it myself, but I don't like spending my money and time for a product that failed that is still under factory warranty.

Mar 20, 2004 | 05:22 PM

FarmerPhilCo

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 278

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From: Louisville, KY

I agree with 79, this is a Ford problem not yours. I like to work on my own stuff too but when it is a problem that is premature, you deserve to have someone else do it for free. You did pay a lot for the truck in the first place.

Mar 20, 2004 | 11:12 PM

ram1

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Joined: Feb 2004

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From: Portage, Pa.

Yep, I can't believe it went bad at 21,000 miles!! I don't really drive hard, actually people who ride with me tease that I baby it too much. I just hope the other ones don't go bad too. You guys are right, this one's their problem.. Thanks, just hate it being in there cause they act like the service area is ( area 51 ) or something. I wonder what goes on in there....

Mar 22, 2004 | 11:36 AM

BenRosey

Junior User

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 77

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From: Indiana

For reference, I had to get a tie-rod end puller, tie-rod fork (pickle fork...), and a ball joint press kit. In addition to the press kit, I had to use a 3 ft breaker bar to press the ball joints back into the knuckle. It took everything I had plus a friend to get them back in. They came out pretty easily.

Everything was at AutoZone (minus the breaker bar) for "free" on the loaner tool program.

A shop press would have been much nicer.

Make sure to grease them up too.

Mar 22, 2004 | 04:12 PM

jamesbfishin

More Turbo

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 727

Likes: 2

From: Seaside NJ

Does anyone make a ball joint with grease fittings, my factory joints and my replacements don't have any. Just thinking that with reg maintenance they might last longer.

Mar 22, 2004 | 05:01 PM

ram1

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Freshman User

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 33

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From: Portage, Pa.

Your right James, Ben thanks for the list of tools, I have most of that sufff, don't sound much different than doing them on the older cars, just need a lot more muscle huh? James, I imagine any of the replacement parts... Moog, etc. would be greasable just like replacement u-joints are. I agree with the theory that if you could grease them they'd last longer. Still can't figure out why mine retired so soon though.