Lower ball joint - FRONT end Alignment
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Lower ball joint - FRONT end Alignment
I just put new tires on my 2WD 2003 F-150.
I told the guy to align the front end because wire was showing on the INSIDES of the tires.
Later I arrived to pick up my truck. He told me the the front end alignment was useless because the lower ball joints were loose. And basically that was the main reason to cause my previous tires to wear out on the inside only.
He said the parts would be $80 bucks (that's for both lower ball joints).
And $80 bucks to put them on and finish the front end alighnment.
I am just checking to see if he knows what he is talking about, and if it's an ok price. He also told me it was common for this series of trucks.
I tend to do a little research when it's something I know nothing about.
Thanks.
I told the guy to align the front end because wire was showing on the INSIDES of the tires.
Later I arrived to pick up my truck. He told me the the front end alignment was useless because the lower ball joints were loose. And basically that was the main reason to cause my previous tires to wear out on the inside only.
He said the parts would be $80 bucks (that's for both lower ball joints).
And $80 bucks to put them on and finish the front end alighnment.
I am just checking to see if he knows what he is talking about, and if it's an ok price. He also told me it was common for this series of trucks.
I tend to do a little research when it's something I know nothing about.
Thanks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,209
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From: Louisville, Kentucky
Ball joints are a common problem with these trucks. To check them yourself, put a jack under the lower control arm and jack the truck up so that the wheel is off the ground. slide a 2x4 under the tire and lift up on the end of it. There should be no movement of the wheel up and down when pressure on the 2x4 is relaxed. If thee is, the ball joints are bad. While you are there, grab the wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock and move the wheel side to side. Any movement here indicates tie rod ends of an idler arm bushing is bad. Get under and look to see where the movement is coming from. BTW, $160 doesn't sound bad. Good luck! 
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: louisiana
If you jack it up to check like stated above, you may want to grab the tire at the 12 & 6 o'clock positions and move the tire back and forth and take a look at the upper ball joints also. The guy who did the tires probably checked it but it won't hurt to look as these go bad also.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Western Pennsylvania
If I were you, I would have the upper ball joints as well put on while they have it apart. I just got upper and lower ball joints put on with alignment for $325 including labor and parts.
I thought this was a good deal for moog greasable joints.
The parts were $40 a/piece for lower ball joints
$85a/piece for upper control arms and ball joints
The uppers are probably ready to go as well. Nice thing about moog joints are they have grease fittings so you can maintain them.
Good Luck
Bowdog
I thought this was a good deal for moog greasable joints.
The parts were $40 a/piece for lower ball joints
$85a/piece for upper control arms and ball joints
The uppers are probably ready to go as well. Nice thing about moog joints are they have grease fittings so you can maintain them.
Good Luck
Bowdog
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Thanks for all the help
Thanks for all the help. It assured me what was wrong, and that I indeed got a good deal.
Just got back from the tire shop, and it drives like a champ now.
Before I had the repairs done, the front end was a little loud at times going across bumps.
It is now much quieter.
Thanks again for the assurance and help.
I would of had the upper ball joints replaced, but a litte low on funds right now. Surely it will last another 2 years for the uppers. He said they looked fine.
I assume the LOWERS must be a little easier to change than the uppers???
It took him only 2 hours or less to change the lowers.
Just got back from the tire shop, and it drives like a champ now.
Before I had the repairs done, the front end was a little loud at times going across bumps.
It is now much quieter.
Thanks again for the assurance and help.
I would of had the upper ball joints replaced, but a litte low on funds right now. Surely it will last another 2 years for the uppers. He said they looked fine.
I assume the LOWERS must be a little easier to change than the uppers???
It took him only 2 hours or less to change the lowers.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: louisiana
No. You don't have to change the lower cntrl arm. They press in & out.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14
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From: louisiana
If I were you, I would have the upper ball joints as well put on while they have it apart. I just got upper and lower ball joints put on with alignment for $325 including labor and parts.
I thought this was a good deal for moog greasable joints.
The parts were $40 a/piece for lower ball joints
$85a/piece for upper control arms and ball joints
The uppers are probably ready to go as well. Nice thing about moog joints are they have grease fittings so you can maintain them.
Good Luck
Bowdog
I thought this was a good deal for moog greasable joints.
The parts were $40 a/piece for lower ball joints
$85a/piece for upper control arms and ball joints
The uppers are probably ready to go as well. Nice thing about moog joints are they have grease fittings so you can maintain them.
Good Luck
Bowdog
New User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: louisiana
I would of had the upper ball joints replaced, but a litte low on funds right now. Surely it will last another 2 years for the uppers. He said they looked fine.
I assume the LOWERS must be a little easier to change than the uppers???
It took him only 2 hours or less to change the lowers.[/quote
I assume the LOWERS must be a little easier to change than the uppers???
It took him only 2 hours or less to change the lowers.[/quote
I wouldn't be so sure about the uppers lasting that long(depending on mileage & how you drive) but as long as you got the lowers done thats good enough for now. Both upper & lower ball joints on these model trucks are known for not lasting very long at all. There is prob. more work involved in just changing the lowers because you have to press them in. The uppers are only 2 bolts & the whole control arm assy. comes out. Fairly easy job to do both if you have done them before but it is a lot easier to do both upper & lowers at once.
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Thanks
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I wouldn't be so sure about the uppers lasting that long(depending on mileage & how you drive) but as long as you got the lowers done thats good enough for now. Both upper & lower ball joints on these model trucks are known for not lasting very long at all. There is prob. more work involved in just changing the lowers because you have to press them in. The uppers are only 2 bolts & the whole control arm assy. comes out. Fairly easy job to do both if you have done them before but it is a lot easier to do both upper & lowers at once.
I wouldn't be so sure about the uppers lasting that long(depending on mileage & how you drive) but as long as you got the lowers done thats good enough for now. Both upper & lower ball joints on these model trucks are known for not lasting very long at all. There is prob. more work involved in just changing the lowers because you have to press them in. The uppers are only 2 bolts & the whole control arm assy. comes out. Fairly easy job to do both if you have done them before but it is a lot easier to do both upper & lowers at once.
I did make a mistake, I thought the uppers costed a lot more than they did, but after looking on O'Riellys they are around $40 bucks to. Oh well, I live and learn....lol
I'll pray for ONE YEAR then instead of TWO..haha
Thanks so much.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: NY Finger Lakes Region
Hmmm interesting becasue I had to have an upper replaced on my last fall and the part was $100 in itself.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: north shore, minnesota
I'll chime in on this one. I replaced the uppers and lowers on my '97 4x4 at 150,000. Both lowers were shot and one upper. At the same time I replaced all 4 tie rod ends - 2 were shot, and all 4 shocks - one front was blown.
My '03 has 50,000 miles and everything is still tight (as it should be).
I think these trucks get good life out of the ball joints, just compare them the the 80-96 F150's.
My '03 has 50,000 miles and everything is still tight (as it should be).
I think these trucks get good life out of the ball joints, just compare them the the 80-96 F150's.