Lower Ball Joint Replacement - 2WD Questions
11-17-2016, 08:09 AM
#1
Lower Ball Joint Replacement - 2WD Questions
Hey guys,
About to embark on replacing the lower ball joints to my '07 FX2 this weekend, got a couple of questions. I saw the FordTechMackuloco video, good resource, but that performed on a 4WD so there's some key differences.
1) I'm going to be pulling off my rotor, it's my understanding I'll need to take the spindle nut off as well. Do I need to replace the spindle nut if I'm not replacing the rotor?
1a) I want to get my rotor resurfaced, it's still 30mm thick on the front, will a shop like NAPA be able to resurface it with the hubs still attached to the front rototrs?
2) Will I need to get an alignment after I replace the ball joints? I'm not doing the tie rod ends or anything else.
Thanks!
About to embark on replacing the lower ball joints to my '07 FX2 this weekend, got a couple of questions. I saw the FordTechMackuloco video, good resource, but that performed on a 4WD so there's some key differences.
1) I'm going to be pulling off my rotor, it's my understanding I'll need to take the spindle nut off as well. Do I need to replace the spindle nut if I'm not replacing the rotor?
1a) I want to get my rotor resurfaced, it's still 30mm thick on the front, will a shop like NAPA be able to resurface it with the hubs still attached to the front rototrs?
2) Will I need to get an alignment after I replace the ball joints? I'm not doing the tie rod ends or anything else.
Thanks!
11-17-2016, 03:49 PM
#2
Senior Member
1.) Yes, the nuts are 1 time use.
1a.) You would have to call and find out. Most shops cut the rotors for 2WD F150's while they're still on the truck
2.) It's always recommended to have an alignment done after changing out suspension components. Good chance your upper control arms will need replacing too.
1a.) You would have to call and find out. Most shops cut the rotors for 2WD F150's while they're still on the truck
2.) It's always recommended to have an alignment done after changing out suspension components. Good chance your upper control arms will need replacing too.
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Hootsworth (11-18-2016)
11-17-2016, 07:52 PM
#3
Senior Member
X2 on replacing the upper control arms. They tend to wear out before the lower ball joint with my experience anyway. Good idea to replace both lowers and uppers while you have it apart 
11-17-2016, 10:55 PM
#4
1.) Yes, the nuts are 1 time use.
1a.) You would have to call and find out. Most shops cut the rotors for 2WD F150's while they're still on the truck
2.) It's always recommended to have an alignment done after changing out suspension components. Good chance your upper control arms will need replacing too.
1a.) You would have to call and find out. Most shops cut the rotors for 2WD F150's while they're still on the truck
2.) It's always recommended to have an alignment done after changing out suspension components. Good chance your upper control arms will need replacing too.
11-18-2016, 07:17 AM
#5
1.) Yes, the nuts are 1 time use.
1a.) You would have to call and find out. Most shops cut the rotors for 2WD F150's while they're still on the truck
2.) It's always recommended to have an alignment done after changing out suspension components. Good chance your upper control arms will need replacing too.
1a.) You would have to call and find out. Most shops cut the rotors for 2WD F150's while they're still on the truck
2.) It's always recommended to have an alignment done after changing out suspension components. Good chance your upper control arms will need replacing too.
The actual lower ball joint is still good at the moment, but the boot has broken open from dry rot, so it's leaking grease. So that jumped to the top of my list.
I've gotta actually replace my shocks in the near future as well, I'll prob do uppers then.
