hello,
wondering if there are any 97 F150 2wheel drive owners out there that have had to replace their lower ball joints at a low milage? i had to replace mine at 59,000 miles andhave been told this is a common problem. any feedback will be appricated. thanks Norm

 

I have a 97 F150 4x4 that failed an inspection at 27000 miles due to a ball joint failure!!!! I am just wondering how long it will be for the other ones.
Is is possible to get "non sealed" replacements that I can grease? I did this on my '87 for all of the u-joints (which to no surprise never failed)
Bob Watkins
97 F150 XLT 4x4 SC 5.4

 

oh yeah there are replacements that you can grease and they are made by Moog and very reasonably priced as this is what i done with mine

 

My 1997 F250 heavy duty 2 wheel drive failed inspection for a left lower ball joint with about 45,000 miles on the truck. My biggest problem was after they changed the ball joint and replaced a questionable tie rod link. Obviously, they had to do a front end alignment after they changed these parts and the truck hasn't handled correct, especially on the highway, ever since. The truck just wants to wander all over the place. It almost feels like there is a heavy load in the rear bringing up the front end. I brought it back and they reset the adjustments It improved the handling 85%, but it still wasn't as good as it was before I had the work done. Does anyone know if there would be a special setting for this particular truck for the front end specifications that the repair shop wouldn't know about?

 

The 4x4's have the same problem. Your driving problem could be due to your front tires have "worn" a pattern with the old ball joints. Try rotating your tires.

98 F250LD 4X4

 

Yep, been there, done that.. My 98 F150 2wd had a bad creaking noise coming from the passenger side when I went over bumps.. Took it in at 45,000km and the balljoint was bad... According to the service advisor "They are hard to keep in good working shape because you can't grease 'em anymore."