I have a 2003 Excursion 4x4 and want to know if OEM ball joints are any good , and do you have to open the differential to pull axles out to replace ball joints? Thank You! This will be my first time working on 4x4 ball joints.

 

I just replaced my ball joints, I went with napa premium ball joints, Most go with Moog, but for what I do with the ex, I didnt want to spend the extra money. Get ball joints that are greasable.
You definatly do not have to get into the diff to remove the front axles. I have plenty of pics in MY PICS below, check them out. Really not too bad. Take your time, rent or borrow a ball joint press.

Brian

 

It is also recommended that you replace the axle dust seal, the axle hub seal and o-ring

 

Have you seen this thread yet?

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...ll-joints.html

I'm about to do the ball joints on my SD so I've been doin a lot of reading about this lately.

 

I also went with NAPA premium on my F350. They had a display of the inside of the joint and it has a Kevlar piece that is the main wear point, so even if you don't grease as often as you should, the Kevlar takes the abuse. They have a lifetime warranty and the guys that work there haven't seen the premiums come back but they have seen the next grade below the premiums come back.

 

To answer the question as to whether or not OEM ball joints are any god, that would be a NO, in my opinion "good" ball joints shouldnt show wear in 33k miles like the do on my 05, granted the are not worn enough to require replacement yet but when they do i am going moog!!!

jeff

 

Moog is what I went with because they are proven quality but those NAPA premiums with the Kevlar sounds like they may work also I just have never tried them.

 

I want to thank everyone for their imput as this has helped. I went to go see how much I need to get the seals and stud bolts and the seals are 45 dollars for the big one and 6 dollars for the o ring and 20 dollars for the smaller one at the Stealership.

 

Did you buy them already? If not, you can do better than that price. I just bought those items from Ed (FTE/PARTS-GUY on here) and they were less than what you were quoted.....

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ljoints-2.html


see post 34


Ed

 

That's some good info Ed! I already have my Moog's in-hand or I'd probably give that a try.

 

Thanks every one as I put the new balljoints in and replaced the seals. took me two days as I did not have everything I needed. Also the dealer sold me the big seal where I had to reuse the shield on this seal. almost messed the cover up glad I took so long to do the job.