Are the lower ball joints on the 97 F150 4x4 replaceable? My Haynes manual says that I must replace the entire lower control arm assembly. Ford dealer says they have a part number for the loose ball joints.

Truck is having new tires installed (Mich LTX M/S - great tires, BTW). Shop says I need new lower ball joints (106k miles) and the cost for parts and labor is $600.

I'm having a difficult time accepting this price - seems very high - any thoughts?

thanks

 

Welcome to the forum.

You should use the search function before posting a question but since your new here I will answer your question.

Yes, the lower ball joint can be replaced without replacing the entire arm. It needs to be pressed in and out. You can rent a press from a local auto parts store if you don't have one.

I just started changing mine last night. I need to do the left side tonight. If you read a few posts down you will find it.


In terms of price. $600.00 is high but that is about what you'll pay to have someone do the job. It isn't that difficult to do but it is time consuming. The joints themselves aren't expensive. About $60.00 for a set of Moog joints on rockauto.com.

 

Here is a link to step by step instructions with pictures (posted by Racerguy). I did mine about 2 months ago and having this to look at first made a big difference. The instructions also give you a good reference to help decide if you want to tackle it yourself or pay a pro.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...ll_Joints.html

 

changeing the ball joints is SO EAZY

you need a pickle fork and the ball joint pull and press then its no problem..

YOU NEED THE pickle fork tho.... dont try to hammer them darn bolts out they just dont move

 

I need to have the same thing done on my 2000, I was quoted a price of 603 for it to be done. I'm waiting until the next time I take it in to have it done. I'd do it myself but I don't have the time or place to work on it and winter in Northern Ohio can be a little on the cold side...I called around to a few other places and the Ford dealership actually came in the cheapest by ~$150...go figure.

 

Is the $603 purely for replacing the lower control arms and nothing else?

Aftermarket ball joints are about forty bucks each, and while the control arms are available with ball joints(about 90 each-Moog), the stock lower joints on my 2000 are removable (I just did the uppers the other day).
If you pull a front wheel and look on the upper side of the control arm you should see a circlip which indicates a removable joint. New joints come with circlips, so the hammer and screwdriver removal method is OK.

If you buy the control arms to save getting the joint pressed (a portable C-clamp press kit will do them too) you are still just under 200 bucks for parts. I understand some folks don't have the time, but for those that do you can buy the tools, the parts, and keep a bunch of change. That 400-dollar labor difference (assuming it's just for that) would buy a Craftsman tool set (for someone with no tools at all), a pickle fork, a floor jack and jackstands, plus beer for a friend to let you use his garage for a few hours to get out of the weather.

Removing and installing the lower control arms isn't a tough job for a home mechanic, and I hate to see folks spend money they could use elsewhere. Racerguy's article is an excellent how-to.

 

Changed mines with a heavy hammer, took about 10 minutes hammering for the first one, and one minute for the second one... too easy.