Ball joint lifespan
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: New London, WI
Ball joint lifespan
Hello all! I am new to the site and this is my first post. I have had my first truck for about a year now, a '98 XLT 4x4. My question is how long ball joints and wheel bearings usually last on a truck. When my truck had 85,000 miles on it, the dealership told me i needed new ball joints on both sides of the front suspension and new wheel bearings. This is not very cheap work to have done, so I was wondering if this is normal. Thanks for the help.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: West Mansfield, Ohio
Howdy! Welcome to FTE! Let me say this. I've got a 91 Ranger 2 wheel drive. I've got the original ball joints. It has 312,000 miles on it. My 95 F-150 4x4 had 210,000 miles on it when I replaced the first set of front ball joints.
I would say test your ball joints yourself. You can jack ONE side of your truck up so that the wheel is up off the ground. Once its off the ground, you can grab hold of the bottom of the tire with one hand and the top with your other hand. Push on the top side of the tire, and pull out on the bottom. If it gives a lot, they're bad. I think it should move a little, but not a whole lot.
You can also tell just by looking at the front of the truck. If the tires appear to look like this / \ ..... then thats also a good clue.
Heres another hint. Dont listen to the dealership, unless your truck is under warranty. They will cheat you out of so much money its not even funny.
I would say talk around your local town and see who they recommend you to take your truck to. There has to be an honest shop somewhere in your local town!
I would say test your ball joints yourself. You can jack ONE side of your truck up so that the wheel is up off the ground. Once its off the ground, you can grab hold of the bottom of the tire with one hand and the top with your other hand. Push on the top side of the tire, and pull out on the bottom. If it gives a lot, they're bad. I think it should move a little, but not a whole lot.
You can also tell just by looking at the front of the truck. If the tires appear to look like this / \ ..... then thats also a good clue.
Heres another hint. Dont listen to the dealership, unless your truck is under warranty. They will cheat you out of so much money its not even funny.
I would say talk around your local town and see who they recommend you to take your truck to. There has to be an honest shop somewhere in your local town!
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 576
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From: crete, illinois
when i just bought mine i went wheeling and got stuck in some thick mud. trying to steer my way out of it i hurt something. well after driving it for about a week or two i finally took it to the dealer, it was under warranty. they found that the upper ball joint on the driver side was broke, i didn't tell them why so they assumed it was a manufacture defect so they replaced both upper ball joints in case! hahahaha!
what i didn't tell you was the awful noise it made at the time. thats how i know when its time for ball joints! lol!
what i didn't tell you was the awful noise it made at the time. thats how i know when its time for ball joints! lol!
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: North US Border, Canada
Well I have 350000km on my 92 Ranger. I changed my original ball joints about 5000kms ago (345000km) I only changed them because I thought it might be a good idea, they were still good though. As for the wheel bearings I re-pack them once or twice a year, and they're good to go. Can't really say how long they're supposed to last, it all depends what sort of abuse or neglect you put them through.
Madmike33
Madmike33
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From: New London, WI
Thanks everyone for the replies. I probably should have included that about six months before that (two weeks after I bought it), I had a run-in with some serious flooding. Some people I talked to said that since the suspension is sealed, if water did manage to get in it could do some damage over time. The mechanic at the dealership agreed, unfortunately my insurance company said it was normal wear and tear on the vehicle.
As for the wheel bearings, I had only had the truck six-months so I am guessing that probably depends how the previous owner treated them.
As for the wheel bearings, I had only had the truck six-months so I am guessing that probably depends how the previous owner treated them.
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