Front end/Ball joints
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 58
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From: Jonesboro USA
Front end/Ball joints
Hi guys. I have a '96 F150 upon which I just replaced the radius arm bushings. The noises from the worn out bushings are gone, but now I hear another odd popping noise occasionally that I can't figure out. It pops sometimes when turning and sometimes when going over a pothole and as nearly as I can tell, it's in the left front somewhere. How do you know when the ball joints need replacing? Is a sagging front end an indicator of that? Any help w/these questions would be greatly appreciated.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 622
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From: Urbandale, Iowa
Front end/Ball joints
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 18-Dec-02 AT 11:14 AM (EST)]I am certianly no expert, and there should be someone else to either verify or contradict this, but I think a sagging corner is most likely your spring getting tired.
Here is how I diagnose ball joints. Jack up that corner and grab the top and bottom of the wheel. If it wiggles top to bottom, it could be either wheel bearings or ball joints. If there is more than a little movement, get someone to wiggle the wheel while you watch the ball joint, you can see if it moves. If it doesn't, I would suspect bearings.
Make sure the truck is on a solid jack stand. Never get under it with just a jack holding it.
Here is how I diagnose ball joints. Jack up that corner and grab the top and bottom of the wheel. If it wiggles top to bottom, it could be either wheel bearings or ball joints. If there is more than a little movement, get someone to wiggle the wheel while you watch the ball joint, you can see if it moves. If it doesn't, I would suspect bearings.
Make sure the truck is on a solid jack stand. Never get under it with just a jack holding it.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 622
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From: Urbandale, Iowa
Front end/Ball joints
No, the 89 has not sagged, nor does the 68, but I'm going to replace those springs as the ride is too mushy for me. I will also be adding a sway bar (or more accuratelt, an ANTI-sway bar). mine is a 4x2
