ball joint replacement
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: fort bragg, North Carolin
ball joint replacement
hey yall, Im going to replace the ball joints on my 77 f250 can anyone tell me if I need any special tools or if this is a large procedure? I appreciate any and all advice thanks again!
New User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
You need to remove all the brake, rotor, spindle and axles from one or both sides. Remove the steering knuckle and have a shop press the new ball joints in the knuckle. It is possible to remove them with a big hammer if you have the proper way to support the knuckle to drive them out and then reinstall. You will need a special socket to preload the upper ball joint once you put the knuckle back on the axle. I reccomend you replace the upper/lower ball joints at the same time. I hope this information is useful.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: fort bragg, North Carolin
yes thankyou very helpful, I took the tire off today and got a good look at whats going on I had no idea it was that indepth. I was hoping to avoid taking anything to a shop I am wondering if I can reinstall them with a ball joint compressor that they rent at the parts store? To tell you the truth I am just assuming the problem is ball joints, my passenger side tire is cocked outward and the ball joint dust cover is all ratted and squashed and the upper joint seems to be touching the back of the steering knuckle, what do you think, ball joints right? thanks for the help
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
From: Hattiesburg, MS
Yep, it sounds like a ball joint. You can change them with the "C" style press. However, you will also need the special 4 prong ball joint socket and a torque wrench to set the proper pre-load.
New User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
It sounds like there my be another issue with what you described in the thread. Jack up the passenger side and place a jack stand under the axle. Have another person grab the tire top and bottom to check for movement. If it has slop at the top were the knuckle bolts to the axle the tapered adjustment sleeve may be damaged. I have seen 3 axles damaged beyond repair and the housing needed to be replaced. It is a fairly time consuming job to do but you learn about your truck and may save some money in the long run.
Matt
67 F-250 4x4
73 Crew 4x2 (4x4 Soon)
Matt
67 F-250 4x4
73 Crew 4x2 (4x4 Soon)
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Aurora CO
i was going to do mine till i researched it some. then decided to take it so a shop.
just got all 4 done yesterday. $450
just got all 4 done yesterday. $450
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: fort bragg, North Carolin
thanks all for helping me replace my ball joints, I rented the tool and did them today! I have a problem though, when I took the axl out I noticed that the housing was filled with greasy mud, the guy that owned the truck used it for mudding. does anyone know how to clean this crap out before it destroys the gears? thanks
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
From: Hattiesburg, MS
There is an inner seal that keeps the mud out of the differential. Having a little bit of junk in the tubes is no big deal. However, if the seals are leaking.....NOW would be the time to replace them. It's a pretty painless process. However, there is a special tool to install them. You can install them without the tool.....but it can be tricky. Check out Broncograveyard. They have the seals and the tools.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
From: Hattiesburg, MS
????????????
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: fort bragg, North Carolin
Thanks HB81 I just came up with an idea, im gonna take the diff cover off clean it out and get a toilet scrubber brush cut the handle off and tie a semi rigid cable to the scrub end and make a bore snake for my axl housing I am thinking this might get all the gunk out of the tube without pushing it into the gears??? what do ya think?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
nick82f100
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Feb 26, 2017 11:43 AM
82fordowner
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Oct 26, 2015 08:26 PM
