Ball Joint is bad, what else should I replace?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
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Ball Joint is bad, what else should I replace?
My truck needs the ball joints done. What else should I have done while I'm replacing them? The truck has 130k on it. I was thinking about shocks and brakes, and tie rod ends - what else should look for/do since everything else will be apart?
Pitman arm?
End links?
I know not everything may not need to be repalced, but since we'll be taking a lot of parts off, we might as well update while we are there so it will be easier.
Thanks!
Pitman arm?
End links?
I know not everything may not need to be repalced, but since we'll be taking a lot of parts off, we might as well update while we are there so it will be easier.
Thanks!
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 72
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From: Cheyenne, Wyoming
if the front axle stub shafts still have the factory non servicible u joints id change them out (doing all my balljoints , front end u joints and Unit bearings this weekend................ my wallet had a heart attack.)
Btw i got spicers, they set me back 35 a piece for (ujoint).
120,000 on mine as well, joints prolly woulda lasted lots longer but heck if ya got it apart it dont hurt.
Btw i got spicers, they set me back 35 a piece for (ujoint).
120,000 on mine as well, joints prolly woulda lasted lots longer but heck if ya got it apart it dont hurt.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
I did my ball joints yesterday--98K miles 2wd. The left side was shot top and bottom. Rights were not loose but looked just as bad. It was a chore for sure. Make sure you have a quality press before you start. I ended up breaking the autozone POS and the sleeves weren't really right, but I managed. I'll be doing the brakes ASAP since the fronts are almost toast, but wasn't ready since they are still stopping well.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
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Originally Posted by npccpartsman
I did my ball joints yesterday--98K miles 2wd. The left side was shot top and bottom. Rights were not loose but looked just as bad. It was a chore for sure. Make sure you have a quality press before you start. I ended up breaking the autozone POS and the sleeves weren't really right, but I managed. I'll be doing the brakes ASAP since the fronts are almost toast, but wasn't ready since they are still stopping well.
I also had to jerry-rig it when I borrowed the press kit from AutoZone.
It's nice that it is being included in some kits, now.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 332
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You won't be removing any of the parts you mentioned (other than lifting the calipers off the rotor) to do the ball joints, so there is no real advantage to replacing them now. You can do them as your time and budget allows.
I would replace all the seals and o/rings, at least service the needle bearings (I replaced them since they were so cheap), check for unserviceable u-joints. At least look at the main wheel/hub bearing .... it is unserviceable, but if you can see any crap (moisture, debris) in there, you know they may be failing soon.
Good luck.
I would replace all the seals and o/rings, at least service the needle bearings (I replaced them since they were so cheap), check for unserviceable u-joints. At least look at the main wheel/hub bearing .... it is unserviceable, but if you can see any crap (moisture, debris) in there, you know they may be failing soon.
Good luck.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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I just did this over the past 4 months. Here's what I did on my 99 4x4 w/ 126k on it.
1st time: needle bearings, u-joints, passenger side half shaft, orings and seals, rotors & pads
Symptom: hit a bump, vibration
2nd time (1 month later): new needle bearings (overkill, but cheap), driver side half shaft, orings and seals, all new ball joints
Symptom: popping in the front end
The ball joints helped w/ the loose steering, but I wasn't happy with it yet. I changed out my drag link, tie rod, and tie rod ends. I'm now happy!
So basically, if i was doing ball joints, I'd do new need bearings, half shafts (quad4x4.com), orings and seals.
Matt
1st time: needle bearings, u-joints, passenger side half shaft, orings and seals, rotors & pads
Symptom: hit a bump, vibration
2nd time (1 month later): new needle bearings (overkill, but cheap), driver side half shaft, orings and seals, all new ball joints
Symptom: popping in the front end
The ball joints helped w/ the loose steering, but I wasn't happy with it yet. I changed out my drag link, tie rod, and tie rod ends. I'm now happy!
So basically, if i was doing ball joints, I'd do new need bearings, half shafts (quad4x4.com), orings and seals.
Matt
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Stephens City, VA
I bought my balljoints for Auto Zone, but borrowed the installation tool from Advanced. Advanced's balljoint tool kit had twice as many installation/removal sleeves than the kit from Auto Zone. Just like Zone, I left a deposit for the kit and got a full refund when I brought it back.
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