98 Exp Ball joints (lower/upper)
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
98 Exp Ball joints (lower/upper)
My wife recently took my expy to get an alignment and the technician recommended that I have the ball joints replaced ($600). I am a novice when it comes to my expy, so I am need of your help. What are the typical driving symptons that would require ball joint replacement. Additionally, if I don't get them replacement immediately, what are the short/long term issues, damages, etc...Please provide me some insights, so I can speak somewhat knowledgable with the alignment shop. I have about 95k miles.
Thanks,
Terry
Thanks,
Terry
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 272
Likes: 1
When Mine Went
When my lower ball joints went, I felt an immediate loosy-goosey feling while cornering....especially on tight freeway cloverleaf on and off ramps.
When they were replaced everything was tighter feeling...less steering input needed....less work driving
I had them do the upper ball joints too....I figured what the heck.
Take a good look at the anti-sway bar links too...they break like crazy
When they were replaced everything was tighter feeling...less steering input needed....less work driving
I had them do the upper ball joints too....I figured what the heck.
Take a good look at the anti-sway bar links too...they break like crazy
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Terry,
That sounds about right. if it needs them i would definately get it done. The lower ball joints are pressed in to the lower control arms but the great ford design on the uppers requires you to replace the entire upper control arm as a complete assy. That is what makes the cost a little high. Worse case scenereo is that one of the ball joints break and the tire falls either into or out of the wheelwell area. either way it means that you could possibly roll over your expy. With the milage that you have it is probably right on needing new ones. Hope this helps.
That sounds about right. if it needs them i would definately get it done. The lower ball joints are pressed in to the lower control arms but the great ford design on the uppers requires you to replace the entire upper control arm as a complete assy. That is what makes the cost a little high. Worse case scenereo is that one of the ball joints break and the tire falls either into or out of the wheelwell area. either way it means that you could possibly roll over your expy. With the milage that you have it is probably right on needing new ones. Hope this helps.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Londonderry, NH
HI Thew,
There are a few very basic ways to check and see if the ball joints have wear in them. Jack up one of the front tires of the ground and have someone grab the top and bottom of tire, have them try and wiggle up and down. f you look inside at ball joints you generally can see movement and the person moving tire will be able to feel the slack also. Doing this will hel deteminewich ones are possbly bad. If the wheel has no sla in t whatsoever chances are your allright for awhile. I just had to replace a tie rod end my 97 with 224k and once i did that noticed that the drivers upper ball joint needed to be done. Just to give you an Idea its the first ball joint i change on it with this mileage. The remaining three are all original. As far as the uppers being the whole control arm yes that is true but they are not that expensive, 39.99 at Advanced Auto parts is what i just paid. The upper ball joints also are the adjustment for Camber so when you have one or multiple changed you may want to think of having an alignment done also. I thought i could try and mark location and get right back to where it was but its harder than it looks. Good Luck.
There are a few very basic ways to check and see if the ball joints have wear in them. Jack up one of the front tires of the ground and have someone grab the top and bottom of tire, have them try and wiggle up and down. f you look inside at ball joints you generally can see movement and the person moving tire will be able to feel the slack also. Doing this will hel deteminewich ones are possbly bad. If the wheel has no sla in t whatsoever chances are your allright for awhile. I just had to replace a tie rod end my 97 with 224k and once i did that noticed that the drivers upper ball joint needed to be done. Just to give you an Idea its the first ball joint i change on it with this mileage. The remaining three are all original. As far as the uppers being the whole control arm yes that is true but they are not that expensive, 39.99 at Advanced Auto parts is what i just paid. The upper ball joints also are the adjustment for Camber so when you have one or multiple changed you may want to think of having an alignment done also. I thought i could try and mark location and get right back to where it was but its harder than it looks. Good Luck.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: north carolina
An alignment is definitely a requirement after any ball joint work. The camber will almost always be off, and tire wear will result. Also, recommend replacing with good quality ball joints that have zerk fittings so you can give them a shot of grease every other oil change or so.
I also treat ball joint replacement like shocks. Always do them in pairs (upper and lower) and always do both ends of the axle (driver and passenger).
I also treat ball joint replacement like shocks. Always do them in pairs (upper and lower) and always do both ends of the axle (driver and passenger).
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bb65f1004x4
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jul 17, 2015 08:18 AM
burksj
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
1
Oct 16, 2010 09:58 AM
wfs
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
2
Sep 3, 2004 02:37 PM
