Ball joints
Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Ball joints
How much of a job is it to change the ball joints on a 1978 F-150 4x4? The shops want $250.00 for each side. I was wondering if I could change them myself and then just take it in for the alignment.
Thanks,
Terry
Thanks,
Terry
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Ball joints
Well its not too tough, but corrosion can be an issue with the hub/backing plate. First, remove your calipers, and rotor/bearing assembly. Dont forget to take off the c clip that keeps the front axle in place as it comes pass through the hub. Remove the nuts that hold on the hub. spray the hub down with pentrating oil, and screw the bearing collar back on the hub, use a brass or plastic mallet and hit the collar to walk the hub back and forth free, It may take sometime to get it off with years of grime. Once the hub is off, then you can take the large knuckle ball joint nuts off, and hammer on the knuckle to pop it free from the ball joints. Bring the knuckle down to a machine shop and have them press in new joints. Its not a hard job, just takes some time. Its also a good time to check the u-joints on the axle, and small roller bearing inside the hub,, pack it with grease if needed.. Good luck...
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: West Jordan, UT
Ball joints
i can tell you i just replace both upper and lower on each side on my 78 F250 and ran into a problem. In trying to take off the nut on the top of the ball joint, due to wear and tear, i used about 2 cans of brake/parts cleaner to remove that darn ol nut. Once i got that done, it was a matter of getting the new ball joint put on. That is where my local machine shop came in handy. As the previous member said, it is easy, it just takes patience and time. After all said and done, i was in it $160 for the parts and about $65 labor at the shop.
hope that helps
hope that helps
