can anyone tell me how to change the upper ball joint on a 01 f250 super duty.
I need to know how or if the axle comes out of the steering knuckle
I think it all slides out the end right?
Is there a lock clip in the pumpkin that has to come off first?
any help?

 

Just recently changed upper and lower ball joints, left and right. Just a suggestion, if you are going to go through the trouble of changing the upper joint, you may as well change the bottom one while you are at it. There is not a locking clip in the gear housing for the axles. All you have to do is remove the hub assembly and the axle pulls out through the steering knuckle. Be prepared to have your work cut out for you doing this job, especially if all the old parts are original from the factory. Removing the hub assembly and pulling the axel out can be a bit of a pain. Since you'll have everything apart you may as well replace the hub seal (thin yellow o-ring on the hub), the axle seal that is pressed onto the axle and also the axle tube seal. If your axle tube seal is the same as mine was, it most likely has separated into two pieces. If it has separated, you'll definitely want to replace it because that seal helps keep crap out of your axle tube. Hopefully you have or have access to a ball joint press because you are going to need it. It took me about 3 hours per side, start to finish. Get yourself a Haynes manual, it provides pretty good guidance along with all of the torque specs you'll need to put everything back together. One last thing, I got my replacement ball joints from NAPA. These things are much nice than the factory ones. The main thing I like about them is that they have grease fittings and rubber boots that cover the ball socket. Good luck!

 

I too have just done mine, I had one bad one but replaced all four. kenneB offers some excellent advise.

Read this post for more info before you start. Helps alot.

Also, don't waste any time looking in your local parts store for any of the seals, bearings, etc. for that front axel you have. They don't have them - you must get them from the dealer. You see, Ford has made a deal with Dana to have exclusive rights to sell these parts - and they've inflated the price of them.

I paid like $8 for the yellow o-ring! The big hub seals are about $80 a piece. Axel seals were about $30. I think I spent over $200 at the dealer on these parts, and that didn't include the ball joints. I could dig up the part numbers and actual prices if you want.

The dealer did press the seals back on for free.

 

Go to a different dealer the big seals are $30 he's ripping you a new hole in yer pocket.

 

I didn't pay anymore than $30 for mine either. I would say if you only have one dealer to look on line I think that the powerstroke shop has a kit with the moog ball joints and seals all together so you don't have to hunt to try to find them all.

 

what is the site for powerstroke shop, cant find the site with a search

 

I just changed the ***** joints in my 2001 F250 4x4. I used Moog parts. They are warrentied for life......................................we will have to see what happens there.