Upper and Lower Ball joints, need some help.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Denver, Colorado
Upper and Lower Ball joints, need some help.
I took my EX with only 90K miles on it in for an alignment. Mechanic comes up to me and tells me it will cost $849.00......WTF. Show me says I. We don proper safety gear, and head to the shop. He shows me on both sides, upper and lower ball joints are worn.
My question is this, does it make sense? The estimate showed $48 in parts, the rest labor. How tough is it? I called a buddy and he is going to bring over his ball joint press and we are going to do it after work one day this week. Any suggestions?
What could cause this amount of wear this early. The mechanic said they do not see these often at all. Am I missing some proper maintenance. We take it for regular fluid changes, I expected that they were taking care of all the chassis lubrication.
My truck, is an 01, 4X4, 7.3L PSD, Limited.
Thanks,
Greg
My question is this, does it make sense? The estimate showed $48 in parts, the rest labor. How tough is it? I called a buddy and he is going to bring over his ball joint press and we are going to do it after work one day this week. Any suggestions?
What could cause this amount of wear this early. The mechanic said they do not see these often at all. Am I missing some proper maintenance. We take it for regular fluid changes, I expected that they were taking care of all the chassis lubrication.
My truck, is an 01, 4X4, 7.3L PSD, Limited.
Thanks,
Greg
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Hate to say it but it appears that it's a normal wear item on the Xs and SDs. My 250 went in for alignment at 97K and had the same - both upper and lower were shot on both sides. Extended warranty covered the replacement, and MAN what a difference in the the way it drives. Never noticed it was that bad until it was fixed.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
My passenger side ball joints were worn both upper and lower @ only 40,000 miles. It can be at least partially attributed to not having grease fittings, so you can't lube them. They are now replaced with greasable ball joints. Front sway bar bushing also needed to be replaced.
Last edited by ExcursionDad; Jul 30, 2007 at 02:36 PM. Reason: spelling of the word "sway"
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 169
From: Central Texas
My '02 2WD were replaced at 80K. I did the job and it was not too bad(you must have a ball joint press), but I was surprised at how heavy the spindle/rotor assemblies are! Took me about 1 1/2 hours for the first side, 35 min for the other.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
Yup...my 02 V10 4x4 had 48,000 miles and I had to replace both sides upper and lower. I used Moog balljoints. Also just had my sway bar links replaced, again with after-market parts. Rubber bushings rotted out. Don't get me wrong, I baby the truck, it's just the bad roads in Queens, NY when I visit my in-laws. If you've driven NYC then you'd know what I mean.
Drive Safe,
Dan
Drive Safe,
Dan
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
PPO2,
Where did you find after-market sway bar end links? I replaced mine not long ago and could only find OEM.
Where did you find after-market sway bar end links? I replaced mine not long ago and could only find OEM.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Denver, Colorado
OK,
Upper and lower ball joints, sway bar links...
What else should I be looking at while I have all this apart. Please do not suggest a lift, monster tires, drilled and/or slotted disks....just what is reasonable. Remember, this is primarily our weekend family truckster these days. And the wife likes it just the way it is (repaired that is). Besides, contrary to what my kids think, I do have a budget......
So while I have the front end apart, what else should I be looking at?
Thanks,
Greg
Upper and lower ball joints, sway bar links...
What else should I be looking at while I have all this apart. Please do not suggest a lift, monster tires, drilled and/or slotted disks....just what is reasonable. Remember, this is primarily our weekend family truckster these days. And the wife likes it just the way it is (repaired that is). Besides, contrary to what my kids think, I do have a budget......
So while I have the front end apart, what else should I be looking at?
Thanks,
Greg
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 83
Likes: 1
A couple of questions also on similiar stuff; is there a bushing missing here in the photo?
http://picasaweb.google.com/alansdavid/ExcursionPhotos/photo#5093382061235562962
Also is it ok to jack up the front where I have my jack in the other photo? The frame itself is too high for this jack to lift it enough. ( I know.. get a bigger jack)
http://picasaweb.google.com/alansdavid/ExcursionPhotos/photo#5093382095595301346
http://picasaweb.google.com/alansdavid/ExcursionPhotos/photo#5093382061235562962
Also is it ok to jack up the front where I have my jack in the other photo? The frame itself is too high for this jack to lift it enough. ( I know.. get a bigger jack)
http://picasaweb.google.com/alansdavid/ExcursionPhotos/photo#5093382095595301346
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
Originally Posted by 200Proof
PPO2,
Where did you find after-market sway bar end links? I replaced mine not long ago and could only find OEM.
Where did you find after-market sway bar end links? I replaced mine not long ago and could only find OEM.
I had to talk to the parts guy over at AutoPartsWarehouse...I have a brand new Moog sway bar link for a 4x2 Excursion that I can't use...you interested??
Drive safe,
Dan
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 169
From: Central Texas
Originally Posted by ALANSD
follow up to my above question- can I put a 4x4 block under the frame and jack it there? I have done this on other vehicles, but the X is by far the biggest I have owned.
