Ball Joints?
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Hernando Ms
Ball Joints?
Hi guys,
Ive got the 97 F-150 XL...it has "squealed" since I got it.This happens when I turn the wheel either way.Ive read some posts concerning this noise,and am pretty much convinced its the Ball joints.I was however surprised to see grease fittings in the lowers(which I was under the impression the factory didnt do).
I went to my on-line parts supplier www.rockauto.com and looked up the Ball joints.My last experience with Ford Ball joints was my 70 Mustang,and if memory serves that were rivited in.The replacements came with bolts,and nuts.
Checking the Joints from Rockauto,it looks like a big "C" clip that holds them in.Im assuming that the C clip is removed,and the old joint pressed out,and the new ones pressed back in?
Ive got a friend with a shop,rack,and plenty of space.I also remember doing Auto-Zones loan a tool program to borrow the ball joint kit...I guess the question is this:Are my "assumptions" correct concerning the C clip,and is this something I should feel comfortable tackling myself?
Ive got the 97 F-150 XL...it has "squealed" since I got it.This happens when I turn the wheel either way.Ive read some posts concerning this noise,and am pretty much convinced its the Ball joints.I was however surprised to see grease fittings in the lowers(which I was under the impression the factory didnt do).
I went to my on-line parts supplier www.rockauto.com and looked up the Ball joints.My last experience with Ford Ball joints was my 70 Mustang,and if memory serves that were rivited in.The replacements came with bolts,and nuts.
Checking the Joints from Rockauto,it looks like a big "C" clip that holds them in.Im assuming that the C clip is removed,and the old joint pressed out,and the new ones pressed back in?
Ive got a friend with a shop,rack,and plenty of space.I also remember doing Auto-Zones loan a tool program to borrow the ball joint kit...I guess the question is this:Are my "assumptions" correct concerning the C clip,and is this something I should feel comfortable tackling myself?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
On my '97 Expedition the noise turned out to be the outer tie rod ends. I got a "needle" fitting for the end of my grease gun and pushed it in between the boot and the rod end to grease them. Drove it another 100,000 with no problems before finally getting rid of it for a newer Expedition.
