Front end - ball joints, bushings, etc - Death Wobble - cost to fix/replace?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 55
Front end - ball joints, bushings, etc - Death Wobble - cost to fix/replace?
Those of you that have had worn out front ends and had a shop fix/replace the parts - what price range is the work? My front end is real loose and I am getting the death wobble (155k miles so it is worn out parts, I wouldn't consider it in the same category as new trucks with the wobble - just flat out worn out in my case). I am wanting to gauge doing the work myself then have an alignment done or just have a shop do it all.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 4,231
From: Kaysville Utah
My front hubs went bad on my 2011 truck. And yes I got the death wobble. Factory hubs were about $1000 but I found some after market hubs and they were about $500. It took a little over 1 hour per side to do them if I remember. Backin 2013, so it's been a while.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 55
Thanks for the note on the hubs. I have suspected one of mine to be wearing out as I can hear a slight "rubbing" when turning sharp. That has been on my radar for a while.
Do you recall what the mileage was when you did the hubs? Was any other work done with the bushings and ball joints?
Do you recall what the mileage was when you did the hubs? Was any other work done with the bushings and ball joints?
Hawkerpilot05
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 180
Likes: 7
From: MN
One thing to look for is that the front wheels have a small axle on each wheel with grease zerks. I was unaware if this and never greased them. Even if you don't have your front wheels locked, they still need to articulate when you turn. I started having steering problems and thought it was from my loose ball joint. Took the front axles off and replaced everything. My u-joints were frozen in 1 plane on 1 side and both planes on the other most likely from MN salt. I was at 130,000 miles. I replaced my steering and ball joints with greasable ones and never had another problem until I sold it and purchased a used 2012 F350. I grease those front ujoints twice a year as well as grease the brake guide pins. Got to love the salt.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 55
One thing to look for is that the front wheels have a small axle on each wheel with grease zerks. I was unaware if this and never greased them. Even if you don't have your front wheels locked, they still need to articulate when you turn. I started having steering problems and thought it was from my loose ball joint. Took the front axles off and replaced everything. My u-joints were frozen in 1 plane on 1 side and both planes on the other most likely from MN salt. I was at 130,000 miles. I replaced my steering and ball joints with greasable ones and never had another problem until I sold it and purchased a used 2012 F350. I grease those front ujoints twice a year as well as grease the brake guide pins. Got to love the salt.
I have the truck at the shop with most of the front end apart. We're working on parts. Looks like Moog hubs, ball joints, and all the rod ends, links, etc. No mention of the axle shafts being bad, but I'd rather order parts and have to return some than to get in to the axle further and not have everything.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 55
After some back and forth and running numbers having the job done is $2100 over what I can get parts for. I about croaked when I was doing the math... Looks like I'm going to get a new shop press, acetylene torch, and some other tools for my collection now... Not a job I want to do right now, but I can justify the tools... and still save a ton of $.
Hawkerpilot05
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 180
Likes: 7
From: MN
Is the axle you are referring to the one mentioned at the 11 minute, 22 second mark in this video?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9eOiTFbbpI&t=1517s
I have the truck at the shop with most of the front end apart. We're working on parts. Looks like Moog hubs, ball joints, and all the rod ends, links, etc. No mention of the axle shafts being bad, but I'd rather order parts and have to return some than to get in to the axle further and not have everything.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9eOiTFbbpI&t=1517s
I have the truck at the shop with most of the front end apart. We're working on parts. Looks like Moog hubs, ball joints, and all the rod ends, links, etc. No mention of the axle shafts being bad, but I'd rather order parts and have to return some than to get in to the axle further and not have everything.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,568
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Thanks for the confirmation. I was inspecting the front end last night and found the grease zerks. They have grease on them, dirty and dry, but that is a good sign - it means they've been used before. I suspect they have been serviced from the dealer in the past. I will cross my fingers and see what they look like when I pull them out.
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