ball joint / front end problems
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New User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: ohio
ball joint / front end problems
hey i just bought a 91 f150 xlt 5.8 liter with a 6" lift. i drove the truck about 15 miles down the road until the tire flew off. the tire had a vibration just before it flew off. when i bought the truck i was told the upper ball joint on the passengers side needed replaced. after the tire flew off when i looked all the studs had broken off. so i took the caliper off and installed some new studs, put the tire back on and drove the truck home. the thing still has a bad vibration in the front end. It has 33-12.50-15 tires and wheels. the wheels are the universal aluminum wheels. i was told that those wheels are known for busting the studs off. i am getting ready to replace the ball joints but dont know what else i should look at while im doing it. i have never done ball joints thats why im on here i need all the info i can get. should i be looking at other things too or just the ball joints? do i need to take the hub apart to replace the ball joints? do i need any special tools? thanks for any replys i might get. Like i said i need all the info i can get this is my first time working on a 4x4.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Welcome to FTE... Keep checking back on this thread because you will get some good advice from people who have done this before.
Studs breaking off is not OK or expected on any tire. My guess is that your rims aren't the correct bolt pattern for your truck and someone "made" them fit.
From what you've said about the truck so far, I wouldn't trust the previous owner's diagnosis. I would forget everything he said and start from scratch. Most of the time the PO has no idea what the real problem is. I don't think I've found any PO's diagnosis to be close.
Jack the wheels up and check all joints thoroughly and replace anything that has any play in it. You might need balljoints and you might not.
Here is a good article that may help you: Bronco Ball Joint Replacement - Trucks 4x4 @ Off-Road.com
Studs breaking off is not OK or expected on any tire. My guess is that your rims aren't the correct bolt pattern for your truck and someone "made" them fit.
From what you've said about the truck so far, I wouldn't trust the previous owner's diagnosis. I would forget everything he said and start from scratch. Most of the time the PO has no idea what the real problem is. I don't think I've found any PO's diagnosis to be close.
Jack the wheels up and check all joints thoroughly and replace anything that has any play in it. You might need balljoints and you might not.
Here is a good article that may help you: Bronco Ball Joint Replacement - Trucks 4x4 @ Off-Road.com
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New User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 16
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From: ohio
thank you for the quick response. The rims that are on my truck are some universal crap that have lots of different bolt pattens. i am looking forward to replacing them as soon as i can find some good cheap ones that are actually made for a ford.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 137
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From: Brandon MS
To add to andys post you need to jack up under the A frame on each wheel with the tire just barely off the ground put a long pry bar under the tire and pry up and down to check for play in the joints. If it moves up and down without moving the spring your joints are worn out.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 373
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From: Hudson Valley, NY
may not apply to your problem, but the only time I ever busted a wheel stud was because the rims didn't fit correctly .. bolt pattern matched, but the hub diameter didn't .. when installing the wheels they never sat quite right, should've known better, but I needed new tread as winter was coming and the tires I had were not going to cut it ..
never lost the wheel as just one stud busted and the vibration became real bad .. then I got smart and fixed it the right way with correct wheels (summer tires were 16", these were 15" snows)..
so, before you go spending dough make sure the wheels are correct ..
never lost the wheel as just one stud busted and the vibration became real bad .. then I got smart and fixed it the right way with correct wheels (summer tires were 16", these were 15" snows)..
so, before you go spending dough make sure the wheels are correct ..
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,091
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From: Suffolk, VA USA
I'm not being funny with this, but are your lug nuts tight? I've had them come loose, producing a vibration. I found the problem early, so I never got to the point of snapping studs, but could have. Check to see if the lug seats are still round...if they are out of round it could be an indication the lugs could have been loose. Also, make sure you have the right types of lugs for the wheels.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Lawrenceville, Ga
Here's a post I wrote for a guy a while back, should be everything you wanna know.
Dana 44 Hub/Bearing/Axle/Balljoint Replacement
Dana 44 Hub/Bearing/Axle/Balljoint Replacement
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New User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: ohio
Thanks for all the help. I ended up getting new tires and wheels, new upper and lower ball joints, new tie rod ends and links, new calipers, new rotors, new studs, new breaks, new wheel bearings, new universals, new axels... pretty much new from tire to tire.
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