Ball Joints
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 1
From: Newport News
Originally Posted by rlkern
to the guy who started this thread did you finish your ball joints I am interested as I am starting on mine Friday night. My primary concern is the large axle seals "3 inside diameter and a "4 outer diameter as messing one of them up it will cost over $30.00. I bought the last two Ford will have in for a few days. Someone mailed me pics of a tool that will work on the smaller seals with the diameter of Approx. "2 any help is appreciated.
I couldn't get it in there for the life of me. The only problems I really ran into were putting the brake shield on wrong twice (I'm an idiot...) and having to assemble and disassemble everything three times. I'm a pro at it at this point. I did have a heck of a time getting the lower ball joint to pop loose so I could remove the steering knuckle, but I used the ball joint press to get it out, so it wasn't but so bad. Anyway, not too bad of a job, just a little time consuming. Air tools, snap ring pliers, and some patience is really all you need. Got any other questions let me know.
Terry
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
My only question is how the heck does that seal go into the axle tube? I couldn't get it in there for the life of me.
Just kinda sits in there its a dust seal. Goes in easy. Maybe you were trying to go too far in.
Just kinda sits in there its a dust seal. Goes in easy. Maybe you were trying to go too far in.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 1
From: Newport News
Originally Posted by 99f350sd
My only question is how the heck does that seal go into the axle tube? I couldn't get it in there for the life of me.
Just kinda sits in there its a dust seal. Goes in easy. Maybe you were trying to go too far in.
Just kinda sits in there its a dust seal. Goes in easy. Maybe you were trying to go too far in.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 1
From: Newport News
Originally Posted by 99f350sd
now you have me thinking..As far as I remember it goes inside about 1/2 inch I pushed it in with my hand. I'm gonna go look at a picture.
Dick
Dick
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Originally Posted by 99f350sd
You press them out with the ball joint press. Yes you can buy them at the dealer. the lower 90 deg has to come out and put the plug back in until you need to lube it. The u joints will hit. really shouldn't heat the stud just around it. I would replace them if they got red hot.
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Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Originally Posted by basstardo
Maybe I got the wrong seal...mine wouldn't go in at all and I tried for a good 10 minutes to get the seal to go inside the axle tube.
Email me I'll send you a pic of the seal I have two new one's.
tomorrow.
Dick
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
basstardo What I had the most trouble with was the large axle seal, a person mailed me a picture of a piece of pipe he used, to anyone doing this I would suggest making arrangements with someone to put this on or making the pipe like he did. I put the little seal on the axle then just slid the axle back in place. For me that was easy. Also if you suspect one of your wheel bearing hub assemblies is bad I would secure the hub studs and nuts prior to doing this they were extremely hard to get out on my truck and it was Sunday night. They can be purchased at Ford for $3.00 a piece and $2.00 for the nuts.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
got my hub at an acdelco independent store. it didn't come with the studs. if i had known, i would have bought them before the project.
i'm glad to see i'm not alone with putting the brake shield on wrong. i did it at least 3x wrong and didn't figure it out tilm i was ready to put on the caliper each time. either too tired or too much beer. either way, i felt pretty stupid after the 2nd time i did it wrong.
i'm glad to see i'm not alone with putting the brake shield on wrong. i did it at least 3x wrong and didn't figure it out tilm i was ready to put on the caliper each time. either too tired or too much beer. either way, i felt pretty stupid after the 2nd time i did it wrong.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 1
From: Newport News
Originally Posted by skilawyer
i'm glad to see i'm not alone with putting the brake shield on wrong. i did it at least 3x wrong and didn't figure it out tilm i was ready to put on the caliper each time. either too tired or too much beer. either way, i felt pretty stupid after the 2nd time i did it wrong.
Yep, I had a few choice words when I figured out I had to take the tie rod off again to get to the bolts to get the hub off. I think I set a record for slammin wrenches down and cussin'.... 
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 671
Likes: 4
From: Elkhart USA
FORD has 2 different ball joints. the ford's don't have grease zerks and the motorcraft upper has a grease zerk. for a lower with a grease zerk you'll have to buy Moog, also NAPA sells them. all 4 with grease fittings with lifetime warranty from napa was under $200