Ball joint replacement
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New User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 18
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Ball joint replacement
Any tips/tricks/advice for replacing the ball joints on a '97 F150 4wd? I looked at them briefly the other night... IIRC, the bottom looked pretty familiar, but the top was a bit unusual. Does the entire arm get replaced? I couldn't tell immediately how that one came out.
I have the press and everything... and I'm pretty quick at replacing them on the TTB trucks, so I hope it won't be too bad. But I've never had the hub off on a 97+, so I'd like a heads up before I get started.
TIA
I have the press and everything... and I'm pretty quick at replacing them on the TTB trucks, so I hope it won't be too bad. But I've never had the hub off on a 97+, so I'd like a heads up before I get started.
TIA
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 340
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Ball joint replacement
Its one of the jobs that looks pretty straight forward and is. But on my truck the press wouldn't pop them out without massive amounts of hammering with a 5 lb deadblow hammer, gaining 1/8" or less with every blow. I thought I was going to destroy the Autozone loan a tool ball joint press. Getting the new one back in is equally fun. My advice, don't do it unles sits really needed or be prepared to take the arm off completely and use a huge hydraulic press. Granted, my truck is a 88 model, my front end problem was more in the tie rod ends.
