View Poll Results: Have you replaced your ball joints?
once
104
35.49%
more than once
19
6.48%
will be replacing soon
48
16.38%
have not replaced, zero problems
122
41.64%
Voters: 293. You may not vote on this poll
Ball joint poll
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
Grease zerks seem to not help the joints last (that much) longer. I was talking to a mechanic at Ford and he said it is just a bad design.
He changes them in the ambulances when they come in. After the factory ones are out he was putting ones in with grease zerks. They weren't lasting much longer.
Also, as my boss can tell you, having a snowplow on the front of the truck does not help one bit!
-Matt
He changes them in the ambulances when they come in. After the factory ones are out he was putting ones in with grease zerks. They weren't lasting much longer.
Also, as my boss can tell you, having a snowplow on the front of the truck does not help one bit!
-Matt
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
Likes: 5
From: Albuquerque
Originally Posted by 150ford
1. What kind off cost am I looking at to replace my balljoints if I do it myself. 2. A shopdoes it.
Is this something I can do myself with the proper tools or should I leave it alone.
4 grease zerks on the ball joints means ball joints last forever. The manufacturers off the ball joints must have told Ford leave the grease zerks out so we can sell ball joints. It would be nice to tap a grease zerk on the current joints to avoid repair. I wonder if this can be done. I have an old Ford car a 1988 Ford Mercury with over 200,000 miles an no ball joint repairs yet. But they have grease zerks. Do the new SDs have grease zerks have . My bet is no.
Is this something I can do myself with the proper tools or should I leave it alone.
4 grease zerks on the ball joints means ball joints last forever. The manufacturers off the ball joints must have told Ford leave the grease zerks out so we can sell ball joints. It would be nice to tap a grease zerk on the current joints to avoid repair. I wonder if this can be done. I have an old Ford car a 1988 Ford Mercury with over 200,000 miles an no ball joint repairs yet. But they have grease zerks. Do the new SDs have grease zerks have . My bet is no.
2. $550-$650
IMHO...the current ball joints should have better seals to keep out the contamients. That will allow a longer life.
biz
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2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
Put 4 new moog's in myself at 80K, sprung for replacing the u-joints while I was at it. Noticed the top of tire tipping in, but had spent a lot of time here reading about the trucks even before I bought it - and pretty much knew what I was in for. I run a very heavy plow (1000#). The ball joints are wimpy looking IMO. Much smaller than those on my '87 F350.
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth
I replaced mine at 152,000 with moog. I had a hard time keeping the truck on the road. Also, the truck would not return to center. I followed the instructions posted on this site and everything went smooth. I have two problems though, One is I have a leak on the front drive shafts. The other is I still believe I have a steering gear box issue. B/c at a certain point in turning the wheel, the linkage will "click". I have replaced everything on the steering linkage and tie rods with no resolution. Any suggestions will help. Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: FREELAND
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Getting ready to do them. Not looking forward to it either. I got a ball joint kit online, comes with all four greasable Moog ball joints, the Orings, hub seals and axel seals for $230! I have 105K on my truck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa, OK
Originally Posted by nosdog2
Getting ready to do them. Not looking forward to it either. I got a ball joint kit online, comes with all four greasable Moog ball joints, the Orings, hub seals and axel seals for $230! I have 105K on my truck.
Mind telling us where you got your kit? I need to order this as well. My Excursion (at 75K miles) is starting to have a "rattle" in front end that is not the stabilizer bar bushings. It also "wanders" excessively.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
Likes: 5
From: Albuquerque
Originally Posted by nosdog2
Getting ready to do them. Not looking forward to it either. I got a ball joint kit online, comes with all four greasable Moog ball joints, the Orings, hub seals and axel seals for $230! I have 105K on my truck.
biz
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2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s