Squeaky ball joints 2001 Ford F150 - The Hull Truth

signmansez · 09-01-2009, 11:52 PM

Anyone experience the pleasure of changing uppers and lowers on a 2001 F150 4wd? I am mechanically inclined but might not have the right tools to perform the job. Is the tool available at the parts store?
Amount of time to perform the job?

Thanks in advance.

dawgmode · 09-02-2009, 12:25 AM

i had to replace them in my 2wd f150...your gonna spend about 45-1hr a side

signmansez · 09-02-2009, 03:55 PM

Bought this package of goodies online today. Will be tackling this project as soon as this arrives. Appears to be a nuts and bolts project. I like that this package came with the control arms with the joints already pressed in. I will follow up when I get it done.

Package Price was $185.00 delivered.

Curmudgeon · 09-02-2009, 08:51 PM

Let us know how the 'nuts and bolts' project goes ...

signmansez · 09-18-2009, 06:47 PM

Just finished the front end project and all went well. I will take the truck to get aligned this weekend.

Overall a pretty easy job. Having the proper tools, as always, is a huge advantage. I have an air compressor, air ratchet and impact gun.

I had to ''borrow'' an axle nut socket and ball joint press from the local AutoZone.
Everything else I have, standard sockets, small sledge (to free the old ball joints), a couple of box wrenches, torque wrench and a grease gun.

Tough on the ''old'' bones doing it on my knees and back and 90 degree heat. Overall the job to took just under 5 hours. That was with breaks and having to run to the parts store to get the socket and press.

What a remarkable difference in the ride and handling. After 167,000 plus miles I guess I didn't notice how ''sloppy'' the truck had gotten.

Oh, and the squeaks are gone!

Here is a link with pictures that I found from the Ford forum.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/i...ll_Joints.html

If you can turn a few wrenches, have the tools mentioned and have the time, this a real money saver. I was quoted $950 from a local mechanic and heard the dealership will charge over $1100! My parts came to just over $200 and I had to purchase a new Torque Wrench $60. Well worth the time plus I get the satisfaction of doing it myself.

gregbruce · 09-20-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by signmansez

Anyone experience the pleasure of changing uppers and lowers on a 2001 F150 4wd? I am mechanically inclined but might not have the right tools to perform the job. Is the tool available at the parts store?
Amount of time to perform the job?

Thanks in advance.

the suspension kit you bought online, I need one myself, where did you get that one?

signmansez · 09-21-2009, 07:41 AM

Here you go. They were great to deal with and shipped fast.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT

jerryclaybrook · 09-21-2009, 10:05 AM

You are lucky yours squeaked. I have a 2001 Supercrew 4x4 and take good care of it. Get tires rotated every 5,000 miles and at the same time they check out the steering components. This summer while driving 10 mph the left balljoint assemble blew out. What if it had happened a week earlier when I was towing a #3500 trailer back from FL at 65 mph.

I had the Ford garage change both sides and they told me it happens sometimes without waring. Scary thought.

signmansez · 09-21-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerryclaybrook

You are lucky yours squeaked. I have a 2001 Supercrew 4x4 and take good care of it. Get tires rotated every 5,000 miles and at the same time they check out the steering components. This summer while driving 10 mph the left balljoint assemble blew out. What if it had happened a week earlier when I was towing a #3500 trailer back from FL at 65 mph.

I had the Ford garage change both sides and they told me it happens sometimes without waring. Scary thought.

Can you elaborate?

jerryclaybrook · 09-21-2009, 05:58 PM

I don't know how much more I can say. I was on a dirt road behind another truck both or us were stopped. I pulled around the other truck and hit a small pothole and wham the front left wheel just went all wobbly. I could not have been going more than 10 mph and the pothole was nothing big. I couldn't believe it when it happened.

As I said the Ford garage said it was unusal but it happens sometime. Believe me I had no warning. Steering and alignment were fine beforehand. Where I get my tires rotated and steering worked on they are very maticulious. I have 3 vechicles serviced there and they always warn me if something is getting worn or not right. They are very good mechanics. The Ford people used the phrase catastropic failure. I am assuming there was a bad casting. I have 85,000 miles on the truck.