I just had the front ones done and it was around $300. I still hear creaking now and then. But not like I did.

 

I had the same problem and cost about the same. I had them put in joints with zircs so I could maintain them; I had over 100K but did not have problems until I had to do a lot of high water/deep mud driving at scout camp one year. But I have have had no noise since.
trav

 

i dropped the truck off at the ford dealership this morning and they took a look. turns out it was a seized tie rod end that was the major creaking. while in there the mechanic noticed that the lower ball joint was "binding" so he replaced both the upper and the lower on the left side. since the mileage was so low the service rep charged me only $100, the standard extended warranty deductible, even though i don't have the extended warranty.

so far no creak, hopefully it lasts.

 

I have a 1998 F150 4wd with a similar creak on the drivers side front. It started about 4 days ago as the temp dropped. Now it could wake the dead. Mechanic checked it out and said the bushings seemed ok mechanically. Ball joints seem ok too. I have sprayed everything I can see with wd40. Sometimes it seemed as I had gotten it but shortly after it gets loud again. It creaks when I turn the wheel (stopped) side to side and much louder if I bounce. Any other suggestions? Maybe the needle thing will do the trick. It is driving me crazy!!!!

 

the stabalizer arm that goes from side to side is bolted tot he frame with two rubber bushings. my daughters mustang and wifes explorer both had "squeek" when bounced. the noise was in the bushings. i took off, wiped antisieze on both sides of each and reinstalled. took for ever to figure out the first time. My 150 with 125,000 miles has never made that noise,,, yet.

 

Lower ball joint on drivers side is the culprit. I have ordered the repair manual cd but would like to try to replace it asap. Anywhere I can look to find instructions. Chiltons seems to list only 2wd version and I have 4wd.

 

Check out this thread mrdumont. Racerguy posted this a while back with detailed pictures. This should help ya out. When reading through the 1st post buy racerguy on replacing the ball joints, click on the highlighted words(mine are highlighted in blue, not sure how your internet explorer is set up) it will show you the pictures of him doing the job.


https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...=364301&page=1

 

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

The instructions for replacing the ball joint in my 98 f150 were perfect.
MUCH better than in the book.
My truck is silent again.