ball joints
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
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ball joints
I recently had my truck inspected and the guy told me I need a new upper ball joint on the driver side. I figured as much due to a slight vibration. He took me inside the bay and wiggled it for me ( the ball joint) just to let me know he wasnt trying to pull a fast one. They told me that the whole balljoint and arm are one piece 86$ er so.Then I see the ball joint listed online as a seperate piece. Now Im not out to get anyone here I just want to know if I can get the old one out without destroying the arm itself? Its a 1998 f-150 extended cab 2wd 6cyl any help would be appreciated Thanks
Rick
Rick
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Royal Palm Beach, Fl
Ball Joints
I just rebuilt the front end of my 98 F-150 and found out you can do it by just the ball joint or the whole arm. I choose the whole arm because you need a press to get the ball joint out of the arm. I did it my self and I don't have a press so it was a no brainer. If he has a press it can be done without the arm but the cost is not that much less so I would go for the arm and pay a little extra but you get new bushings in the deal.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,920
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From: Carson City, NV
Originally Posted by BigPoppa67
possible dumb question. what is a BFH?
, no tool box is complete without one!
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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if you buy the ball joint at Auto Zone, they will let you borrow a portable press to push the joint out with the a-fram on the truck and install the new. dont need to pull the frame and reinstall. BFH is a hard way to go on this one. use the free press.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: N. Fort Myers,FL
Originally Posted by 50th ann
I just rebuilt the front end of my 98 F-150 and found out you can do it by just the ball joint or the whole arm. I choose the whole arm because you need a press to get the ball joint out of the arm. I did it my self and I don't have a press so it was a no brainer. If he has a press it can be done without the arm but the cost is not that much less so I would go for the arm and pay a little extra but you get new bushings in the deal.
Personally if i was to replace any suspension components, i would buy MOOG.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
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bob is right, the lower a-frame has a replaceable ball and is easlily done with a small press. the upper arm is simplier change out the whole frame. the ***** are not replacable on the stock a-frame.--- i thought we were talking about the lowers.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,220
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Look at the replacement upper A-arms if you can compare some in the store before purchase.
I ordered two from Advance Auto that were NOT listed as having a replaceable ball joint, but in fact the one they used is the same as the one they sell for the lower control arm. The ball joint was retained by a circlip just as on the lowers.
I ordered two from Advance Auto that were NOT listed as having a replaceable ball joint, but in fact the one they used is the same as the one they sell for the lower control arm. The ball joint was retained by a circlip just as on the lowers.
