I have bad ball joints (verified) on the front drivers side of my tow vehicle and it needs to be replaced.
As I understand it, there are upper and lower ball joints on the front wheels only(?) and I think if the one side has to be replaced that both sides should be replaced at the same time, both upper and lower.
My questions are:
(1) Are there only upper and lower ball joints on the front tires only?
(2) I have been quoted a price of anywhere between $500 - $600 to have both sides done...is this a reasonable price?
(3) Is there anything else that could possible be wrong with the F250 if the ball joints are bad? (I think they said hopefully the cam bushings(?) are good)
That is kinda high since the lower ball joints are 42 bucks apiece.
Are you able to replace them your self?
There are only upper ball joints on the ft. end of your truck.
Normally uppers don't go out as quick as lowers.
If you have a floor jack and some jack stands and basic hand tools and you can rent a ball joint press if they are the press in type.
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I am not mechanically inclined so me replacing them is a no go...LOL
I know the upper and lower on the front drivers side are bad and I am going to have both upper and lower replaced on both sides just to be good. I was quoted $236 for parts and $360 for labor...
I had to replace all my ball joints on my old van (it was a '94). It cost $230 if I remember right, plus another $40 for the alignment. It shouldn't cost any more for a pickup, since the 4x2 front axle is the same, except different springs.
Bryan
2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, 240,000+ miles
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There are ball joints only on the front wheels. There is an upper and lower on each side.. It takes a ball joint press and a fair amount of mechanical ability to replace them but the actual price of the parts would be under $50 each.
It is pretty unusual for upper and lower ball joints to go bad together unless there was some sort of damage. i.e. banging curbs really hard.
On most newer Ford trucks, the upper ball joints rarely go bad. I have replaced 4 or 5 lower ball joints on various Fords but only 1 upper.
I would only replace the ball joint they said was bad. I wouldn't do both sides unless they can prove they are bad and I would be very skeptical of both upper and lower being bad.
There are upper and lower control arm bushings (the control arms- upper and lower, are what the ball joints attach to and the bushings are where the control arm mounts to the frame- opposite end of where the ball joint is.) These bushings don't go bad, routinely.. I have replaced some but the vehicle had over 200,000 hard miles on it.
The price they quoted sounds about right for a dealer, but again, I wouldn't replace all 4 ball joints unless they could prove they were all bad. It is fairly easy for them to show you.
Here is from the repair manual how to check the ball joints for wear:
With the vehicle supported on jack stands, remove the front wheels and place a jack under the lower control arm as close to the lower ball joint as possible. Raise the jack slightly. Re-install the wheel and tire and tighten the lug nuts. With a dial indicator attached to the wheel, firmly grasp the wheel at the top and bottom and "rock" the wheel alternately pushing at the top and pulling at the bottom. The dial indicator should show no more than 0.125 in. deflection.
I know that was a bit technical if your not mechanical, but basically have them raise the truck and have them grasp the top and bottom of the wheel and rock the top and bottom of the wheel in and out. If the ball joint is bad there will be slight movement and generally a little knock with the movement.. If you can't feel, see or hear it, it might not be bad.
Sounds like they might be trying to get some extra business out of you.
j
Jim, Donna and Ian- 40 somethings with a 7 year old
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M GO, There is a service bullitin on the ball joints along with the steering box. If you are dealer bound he SHOULD tell you about it. If you are going to a private shop have him check it out for you. It is mainly for tight steering but worn ball joints fit this bill also. There is a specific test to be performed and if it fails, ALL the balljounts must be replaced. I just had mine done (under extended warrenty) the whole job was close to $900. So if you have a warrenty, check it, it may cover this repair. Mine did, although it was like pulling teeth from a goose. The warrenty co. actually pointed out the TSB from Ford and when we checked it and followed their instructions the warrenty co had no choice but to pay. This was a simple case of the supervisor not reading the whole TSB, he thought he was out from under. Instead he found himself paying the bill!!
Rich
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I know for a fact one side is bad, just not sure if the upper or lower on that side is bad. I purchased the truck used about 6 months ago and it only has 62,000 miles on it, which is very young in a diesel's life. I plan on keeping this truck for some time so my plan is to have both sides (upper and lower) replaced. I can get the whole procedure done for about $650 (private shop of a friend) compared to the dealer who wanted $1,000+
Ford dealers do charge A LOT for parts and labor. If you are not under warranty and have a shop you trust, they will be less expensive.
Ford Superduty ball joints are not able to be greased (as are most newer vehicles). They are a sealed design. Not to complicate matters too much, but you might look into aftermarket ball joints that can be lubricated. I have read a little over at The Diesel Stop about this, but have not had any problems with mine yet (knock on wood). It might be a better part than what Ford sells?
Yep.. I replaced mine at a tad over 40K, upper and lower, get the greasable ones.... parts and labor.. $545
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