Ball joints
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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Ball joints
I've heard a lot about them going bad on these trucks.
How can one tell when they are going bad?
I just looked in the service manual to see much work is involved with replacing one....it said that at the time of publication, it was not possible to replace the ball joints in a 2WD model. I'm assuming that isn't the case as I know I've already had one replaced.
How can one tell when they are going bad?
I just looked in the service manual to see much work is involved with replacing one....it said that at the time of publication, it was not possible to replace the ball joints in a 2WD model. I'm assuming that isn't the case as I know I've already had one replaced.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
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From: Mt. Shasta California
Ford truck BJs do go bad soon. Jack the front up on one side and take a big lever like a 2x4 and have someone pry up and in on the wheel while you look at the joints. They can cause the truck to swerve when you hit the brakes, and cause a negative camber also. Get back and sight accross the front and back tires for a quick camber check.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
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From: Mt. Shasta California
Any abnormal tire wear would be a sign. While performing the test above, look for movement at the joint. Rest a carpenters level against the tire, away from the bottom bulge, while on the ground, and if it has negative camber that is also a good sign. Stand way back and sight accross front and back wheels at the same time. Miles is also an indicater. Anything over 80k miles is too many miles.
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Apparently so. I had one replaced about two years ago, and I found that the upper on the other side was bad today.
I'm going to tackle it with a friend in a few weeks.
I noticed there are several different types of replacement ball joints at O'reillys. Any one better than the other? I saw that the MOOGs are about $35 where the others are only $20.
I'm going to tackle it with a friend in a few weeks.
I noticed there are several different types of replacement ball joints at O'reillys. Any one better than the other? I saw that the MOOGs are about $35 where the others are only $20.
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Cargo Master
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From: WV
Its mostly because they aren't greaseable. I think they would last a lot longer if you could grease them.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Mt. Shasta California
Moog should last longer since they are greasable. I think NAPA has them too. ETC ETC
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 111
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From: Orange County, So. Calif
Bought all four for my '05 SD for $125 tax & ship incl...
Tires were looking funny, alignment guy showed me l.front upper ball joint was going away. So being low buck, I just ordered Moog K80027 & 28's (if I recall correctly) to replace all four on my F350 c.cab diesel dually. Price was $125 + w/ Calif sales tax and free shipping for all four... Seller as Auto Parts Giant here in So Calif.
Also ordered 4 KYB Mono Matic shocks at under $60 each w/ free shipping from AJ Auto in San Diego.
Having a 2 post lift in my back yard should make installing the new b. joints and shocks, 'almost' easy... Then back to the alignment guy (Jon Lundberg, son of the renown drag race announcer) for a pro alignment...
Also ordered 4 KYB Mono Matic shocks at under $60 each w/ free shipping from AJ Auto in San Diego.
Having a 2 post lift in my back yard should make installing the new b. joints and shocks, 'almost' easy... Then back to the alignment guy (Jon Lundberg, son of the renown drag race announcer) for a pro alignment...
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Tires were looking funny, alignment guy showed me l.front upper ball joint was going away. So being low buck, I just ordered Moog K80027 & 28's (if I recall correctly) to replace all four on my F350 c.cab diesel dually. Price was $125 + w/ Calif sales tax and free shipping for all four... Seller as Auto Parts Giant here in So Calif.
Also ordered 4 KYB Mono Matic shocks at under $60 each w/ free shipping from AJ Auto in San Diego.
Having a 2 post lift in my back yard should make installing the new b. joints and shocks, 'almost' easy... Then back to the alignment guy (Jon Lundberg, son of the renown drag race announcer) for a pro alignment...
Also ordered 4 KYB Mono Matic shocks at under $60 each w/ free shipping from AJ Auto in San Diego.
Having a 2 post lift in my back yard should make installing the new b. joints and shocks, 'almost' easy... Then back to the alignment guy (Jon Lundberg, son of the renown drag race announcer) for a pro alignment...
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