1999 ball joint question
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
1999 ball joint question
hey guys, gonna be doin my front end pretty soon, the Ball joints are on their way out.
Im on a tight budget, and am wondering with the ball joints, out of the upper and lowers, which one should i not cheap out on.
In other words, which ones take more stress the uppers or lowers?
Thanks
Im on a tight budget, and am wondering with the ball joints, out of the upper and lowers, which one should i not cheap out on.
In other words, which ones take more stress the uppers or lowers?
Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
lowers get beat pretty bad. After a cheap set, i bought MOOG the second time.. Uppers will last longer. NOrmally you need to install the A arms with new upper joints. Dont know that they comes seperate. $45 lower each, $80 upper each.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 304
Likes: 2
The other steve is right. Don't know if you have 2 or 4wd. but you must replace the upper control arms. You can replace the lower balljoints and bushings. I also reccomend moog parts. You might
also want to look at replacing some or all of your
steering links and sway bar attachments.
also want to look at replacing some or all of your
steering links and sway bar attachments.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
hey guys, gonna be doin my front end pretty soon, the Ball joints are on their way out.
Im on a tight budget, and am wondering with the ball joints, out of the upper and lowers, which one should i not cheap out on.
In other words, which ones take more stress the uppers or lowers?
Thanks
Im on a tight budget, and am wondering with the ball joints, out of the upper and lowers, which one should i not cheap out on.
In other words, which ones take more stress the uppers or lowers?
Thanks
with the miles on your truck there is a chance the upper control arm has been replaced. look at the uppers and see if there is a snap ring on them. if there is a snap ring you should be able to replace just the ball joint.
if you change control arm YOU HAVE TO GET AN ALIGMENT ASAP. if you change just the upper balljoint you should get an alignment.
You should get a decent brand for either one, moog, motorcraft, trw?
seeing as you are on a budget. I can't say this for f150 but there have been people that have changed the upper ball joint on oe control arms for ford rangers ( even though everything says you can't, do a search in the ranger forum)
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 304
Likes: 2
I don't know how it is where you live but here most machine shops charge about $20.00 bucks
per whole to remove and replace the bushings. That's about 1/2 to 3/4 of the price
of a new arm. Speaking for myself , I would just buy new uppers and go with it. Also, if they are
not already there I would purchase a camber bolt
kit for both sides and use them on the uppers.
per whole to remove and replace the bushings. That's about 1/2 to 3/4 of the price
of a new arm. Speaking for myself , I would just buy new uppers and go with it. Also, if they are
not already there I would purchase a camber bolt
kit for both sides and use them on the uppers.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 322
Likes: 1
I got my uppers and lowers from Advance and they gave me a life time warranty! Changed the suckers out twice already as they do get a pounding! Go with advance, and as stated already, get a Camber/Caster Kit to properly do alignments on your truck. It really is a piece of cake. Good luck.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 304
Likes: 2
Personally I would rebuild the lower and replace the upper. Moog makes the upper for about $90.00 each. You can buy moog balljoints for about $45 ea. for the lower and the bushings for about $40.00. The camber kit is about $25.00 ea. Good
luck and don't forget to get frontend aligned after.
These prices are for 4wd parts at advance auto parts.
luck and don't forget to get frontend aligned after.
These prices are for 4wd parts at advance auto parts.
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New User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
hey guys..... so im having the same problem! My right lower ball joint boot is torn so im thinking the ball is bad too. Do I have too do the left side too? or can i just do the right? im also in a budget... how do i know if i have the camber caster kit? i just bought the truck and it has a fabtech lift kit on it..... and also my tires are wearing on the outside but it drives straight! what could be the problem besides alignment....back to the ball joints.. do i have too do the uppers and control arms since it has the lift kit? Im new to the lift stuff! Thanks
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
My front end was bad last year and i was also on a budget. i ordered the set of upper arms and lower joints as a kit on e-bay for $120 shipped. i own a construction co. and abuse my truck daily. still tight after a year. might be an option.
