New Ball Joint: how much?
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New User
Joined: Apr 2006
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New Ball Joint: how much?
Hey all, I took the '69 F100 to the mechanic yesterday. (Great idea.) They came up with this:
-front right needs new ball joint (and probly bearings at the same time)
-front left needs bearings
-left rear axle seal leaking
My understanding is the ball joint is the only real safety concern. (A little background: the truck is my "townie": I never drive it further than about 30 mi, probly about 200 mi./yr. I keep my snowmobile in the back and take it from trailhead to trailhead in the winter. Thus, am not looking to fix everything up (paid 1300 for it and want to keep it cheap)
How much should it cost?
-front right needs new ball joint (and probly bearings at the same time)
-front left needs bearings
-left rear axle seal leaking
My understanding is the ball joint is the only real safety concern. (A little background: the truck is my "townie": I never drive it further than about 30 mi, probly about 200 mi./yr. I keep my snowmobile in the back and take it from trailhead to trailhead in the winter. Thus, am not looking to fix everything up (paid 1300 for it and want to keep it cheap)
How much should it cost?
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 52
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From: North Carolina
You should be able to do the job in a pretty reasonable amount of time however I would suggest you check the ball joints for wear before you purchase new ones(You did say it was a '75 axle which as you stated comes with ball joints I would think that '73 and up would anyhow I could be wrong though so I'd check that out to be sure), I think you'll be alright if you are mechanically inclined and it would go so much easier with someone to help you out. Replacing bearings is never a bad idea and they aren't too expensive but it's your truck and if you wanted to you could just pull them inspect them and if they look good repack them. Replacing an axle seal isn't too bad depending on which one your talking about. If you need any more help lemme know I'd be happy to help
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Also, you will need a ball joint press, I doubt you want to buy one as most of them are around $100 but you could put in a deposit at autozone and rent it or check out harbor freight I think they have them for around $50 and a pickle-fork would come in hand to separate the ball joint from the tie rod end you can pick them up for cheap at HF as well.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 2
From: San Diego CA
75 is still twin I beam. Unlees it is a 4x4. Or the 75 front is out of a car. Maybe they were talking about tie rod ends. Get a second opinion if your not sure.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 52
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From: North Carolina
That's what I was thinking just wasn't sure if they got different suspension in '73 or not, either way you should either check things out yourself or get another mechanic to check things out for you.
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Apr 2006
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yep it's a 4x4- the front end came out of a F100 too. Where I'm at it's -20 F right now, and I don't have a garage. So I'm taking it to a mechanic (shudder- I told myself I would do all the work on it when I bought it) He told me the ball joint is a pretty real safety issue, so that's the only thing that's gonna happen.
If it's $150 for parts, am i lookin at about $300 for someone to do the job? Yuk. Thanks for all the help!
If it's $150 for parts, am i lookin at about $300 for someone to do the job? Yuk. Thanks for all the help!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 6
From: UPSTATE NY
safety issue? thats the oldest trick in the book. they all like to use that one and it makes me chuckle every time. the economy is pretty bad and believe me they are after your wallet. they used to say "due to liability reasons i cant let you leave until i fix it", but that one doesnt work anymore its all used up
did you ever grease them?
yuk isnt the word. they will charge you alot more than $300 to do kingpins. and the kit is not $150 its $50
borrow an oxyacetylene torch, an air hammer, and lots of beers and u can do it. my uncle and i got the job done over the weekend.
did you ever grease them?
borrow an oxyacetylene torch, an air hammer, and lots of beers and u can do it. my uncle and i got the job done over the weekend.
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