Ball Joints Question
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 191
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Ball Joints Question
The oh so common ball joints on the driver side needs replaced sometime soon. Question is, how big of a job am I looking at if I attempt it myself? I am sick of taking my truck to the shop to have the same stuff done over and over on all the trucks I own.
I can hear the upper ball joint on the drive side starting to bounce around.. not real bad or nearly as bad as my other superduty but I want to replace it now before winter. The passengers side was already replaced as far as I know.. according to the previous owner. I dont hear any noises from that side, only the drivers. I'll probably end up doing both the upper and lower ball joints on the drivers side.
So, is it a job that can be done fairly easy or would I be better off having the shop do it? What all is involved? I know I can do everything to get to the ball joints but I'm not sure how getting them out and putting the new ones back in will be. What tools are needed, etc?
Also, what do you think of the Advance Auto ball joints? They come with a lifetime warranty for only $31 for the upper and either $22 for the standard lower or $39 for the heavy duty lower ones... also lifetime Any good or junk? The Ford ones dont last long either so what do I have to loose?
I can hear the upper ball joint on the drive side starting to bounce around.. not real bad or nearly as bad as my other superduty but I want to replace it now before winter. The passengers side was already replaced as far as I know.. according to the previous owner. I dont hear any noises from that side, only the drivers. I'll probably end up doing both the upper and lower ball joints on the drivers side.
So, is it a job that can be done fairly easy or would I be better off having the shop do it? What all is involved? I know I can do everything to get to the ball joints but I'm not sure how getting them out and putting the new ones back in will be. What tools are needed, etc?
Also, what do you think of the Advance Auto ball joints? They come with a lifetime warranty for only $31 for the upper and either $22 for the standard lower or $39 for the heavy duty lower ones... also lifetime Any good or junk? The Ford ones dont last long either so what do I have to loose?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Virginia
You will need a ball joint press kit to start with, also, the ford super duty "update kit" to be able to remove and install them correctly. The standard "4x4" add on kit probably wont have what you need. I did all of mine recently and it wasn't too bad. I got all 4 ball joints from NAPA and they are all grease-able for about $175
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Down at Advance Auto parts, they have a tool rental program.. I can rent a complete ball joint press kit for $99 and once I bring it back, I get the full $99 back. I was talking with a guy down there that also has a F250 and he claimed that kit can do the super duty. I too thought I needed the Ford kit?? How much did you end up paying for the kit if you dont mind me asking?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 673
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From: Virginia
My dad has an OTC kit that I borrowed, but I bought the ford superduty update kit online for like $50. Still didnt have all the tools I needed though, but I was able to make what I had work with some large washers as spacers (I forget for which step though).
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Joined: Oct 2004
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https://www.ford-trucks.com/contents/getitems.php3?Ball%20Joint%20Installation
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...ll-joints.html
I suggest you read them both all the way through a few times. Get the special tool kits from a local Auto Parts that does the "Loaner" program. Also, suggest you take the axles to the Stealer to have the seals pressed on instead of trying to make the tool out of pipe.
When I did it. I printed out both threads with pictures and put them in a three ring binder. I used them both, step by step.
You can do it. When you're done, you'll and the hundreds of dollars you would've paid for labor will be happy!
Good luck and I hope this helps.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...ll-joints.html
I suggest you read them both all the way through a few times. Get the special tool kits from a local Auto Parts that does the "Loaner" program. Also, suggest you take the axles to the Stealer to have the seals pressed on instead of trying to make the tool out of pipe.
When I did it. I printed out both threads with pictures and put them in a three ring binder. I used them both, step by step.
You can do it. When you're done, you'll and the hundreds of dollars you would've paid for labor will be happy!
Good luck and I hope this helps.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Trailblazed
Down at Advance Auto parts, they have a tool rental program.. I can rent a complete ball joint press kit for $99 and once I bring it back, I get the full $99 back. I was talking with a guy down there that also has a F250 and he claimed that kit can do the super duty. I too thought I needed the Ford kit?? How much did you end up paying for the kit if you dont mind me asking?
Advance Auto Parts is where I got my kits from. I used the Bal-Joint kit, Tie-Rod kit (not the fork) and one other that is slipping my mind right now. Their loaner program is great. I think you even get something like 45 days to use them. Bring em back and they refund you.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 659
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From: Berthoud, CO
probably a stupid question, but what are signs of worn out ball joints? Both my front tires are wearing on the inside, and you can see that they are not straight up and down like they should be. Is this a ball joint prob?
