leaf spring/ball joint replacement
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Joined: Jun 2005
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leaf spring/ball joint replacement
Hi Guys,
I bought a 93 f 150 dirt cheap, it runs and drives great with a few exceptions. Both back leaf springs are cracked and it need upper and lower ball joints. The leaf springs seem pretty straight forward and I got a price of 50 bucks a piece at my local yard. I do have a Chilton's on it, but is there anything I should know- common issues? Also, can I use 3/4 ton springs?
The second is thing is the ball joints. I need lowers for sure and may as well do the uppers. How much of a pita is this? I used to work on cars when I was younger but haven't ventured beyond brakes for the past 10 years though. This is a complete beater truck but I want to drive it as a winter vehicle. I do have a full (multiple actually) set(s) of mechanics tools from when I was younger. I can't afford to pay to have them replaced.... Help.
I bought a 93 f 150 dirt cheap, it runs and drives great with a few exceptions. Both back leaf springs are cracked and it need upper and lower ball joints. The leaf springs seem pretty straight forward and I got a price of 50 bucks a piece at my local yard. I do have a Chilton's on it, but is there anything I should know- common issues? Also, can I use 3/4 ton springs?
The second is thing is the ball joints. I need lowers for sure and may as well do the uppers. How much of a pita is this? I used to work on cars when I was younger but haven't ventured beyond brakes for the past 10 years though. This is a complete beater truck but I want to drive it as a winter vehicle. I do have a full (multiple actually) set(s) of mechanics tools from when I was younger. I can't afford to pay to have them replaced.... Help.
Last edited by daveinwestland; Jul 15, 2005 at 04:29 PM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
Rear leaf springs are easy to replace if you have the tools to destructively remove the spring eye and shackle eye bolts. The U-bolts will probably need replacement too. With new fasteners, installation is easy enough.
If your F-150 is a 2WD truck, the leaf springs are 2 1/2 inches wide. The 4WD F-150's used 3" wide rear leaf springs. F-250 trucks all use 3" wide springs.
Front ball joints are a fair amount of work, but with a decent manual and the right tools are do-able. The manual is a must-have item!
If your F-150 is a 4WD truck, look at replacing the auto hubs with manuals when you have everything apart. For the 4WD trucks, the front spindles are difficult to remove and might take as long as the rest of the job. If you can find a slide hammer that bolts to the sprindle, the job is *much* easier.
Lou Braun
If your F-150 is a 2WD truck, the leaf springs are 2 1/2 inches wide. The 4WD F-150's used 3" wide rear leaf springs. F-250 trucks all use 3" wide springs.
Front ball joints are a fair amount of work, but with a decent manual and the right tools are do-able. The manual is a must-have item!
If your F-150 is a 4WD truck, look at replacing the auto hubs with manuals when you have everything apart. For the 4WD trucks, the front spindles are difficult to remove and might take as long as the rest of the job. If you can find a slide hammer that bolts to the sprindle, the job is *much* easier.
Lou Braun
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
I bought spring-to-axle U-bolts from a 4WD supply store and the other fasteners from NAPA.
NAPA and Autozone have decent on-line parts listings. I'd check them out to see if they have what you need.
Lou Braun
NAPA and Autozone have decent on-line parts listings. I'd check them out to see if they have what you need.
Lou Braun
