stagger

I am hoping I can get some help… I have a 2007 F150 with 105K miles on it with a pro comp 4 inch lift on 35’s. I eat Dunlap all terrains every 40-45K miles… My latest issue is an unreal creaking suspension noise.

I had my guy look at it and he couldn’t find the real issue, then i brought it ORW they said, 4 shocks, ball joints, basically a suspension rebuild at $1500-$2000.

This is a 4 x2 truck that takes dirt bikes to the track, complete road driven truck. I understand that the lift pushes everything out of true alignment and I am not disagreeing with a suspension rebuilt I am just trying to save money.

I am also trying to make sure I am replacing everything that needs to be replaced in hopes to fix any issues. The truck is worth about 8K which is what I owe, so spending $1500-2000 just kills me. Plus it needs tires again.. that's a easy $1200.

Here is my parts list and prices I have found on the internet. Please help me with what I am missing or better deals out there, I am very open to suggestions. I have friend that will do the work at a good price.

2 lower ball joints K80149 Moog $37 each tax maybe shipping
2 front shocks (24-186698) retail $170, found at $150 each no tax no shipping
2 rear shocks (24-186704) retail $93, $75 each found at no tax no shipping
1 (CB40098) Upper control arm retail $116, found at $87 each plus tax and maybe shipping
1 (CB40099) Upper control arm retail $116, found at $87 each plus tax and maybe shipping
2 tie rods ends $30 each plus tax and maybe shipping

thx guys! I really appreciate it!!

BassAckwards

Buy the parts, buy an air compressor, buy an impact gun, buy a Haynes manual, do the labor yourself and you will still save money compared to a shop doing it. I'm tackling your same situation here in a couple of weeks except I don't have the problems with creaking or tires that you described, I'm just doing it as regular maintenance.

The Lift kit shouldn't cause any issues with alignment, however your ball joints can easily cause an alignment problem if they have a lot of play. Describe to me how your tires are wearing out, are they just wearing out unevenly on a certain side or do they just wear evenly across but are gone at 45k miles?

stagger

They are even, but I do rotate them a lot, every other oil change. I like your suggestion " buy an air compressor, buy an impact gun, buy a Haynes manual" to be honest. Maybe that's the best idea. My biggest fear is changing the lower ball joints.

BassAckwards

If you rent the ball joint removal tool from an AutoZone/Oreilly's it shouldn't be to big of a deal.

And if your tires are wearing evenly then that is just the tires fault. My DuraTracs are lasting longer than what you say your Dunlops are lasting. Maybe pick a new tire?

08screwCA

I'm tackling ball joints soon also. I found a rental ball joint press so hopefully it goes smooth I've never attempted this job before

FFBoomer519

iTrader: (2)

Check my build thread I just did this recently and ran through a quick write up there. And get your moog problem solvers from rockauto.com.

ucgolfer

iTrader: (-1)

I have not seen a 4" ProComp Lift Kit, are you sure? Is it Rancho or another Brand? Or is it a 6" Stage 1 ProComp Kit? This will determine the rear shocks you buy as you will need to know the collapsed and extended length of the shock required by your kit.

As far as the tools go, you can rent a compressor from Home Depot or Lowes as well, also the impact gun. But honestly having done this myself many times you can easily do this with hand tools. You will need the following tools;

Jack
(2) Jack Stands
Ball Joint Press (you can borrow from most auto part stores)
1/2" Ratchet Driver
1/2" Breaker Bar or 18" Ratchet Driver
13,15,18-20,22,24&27MM Deep Sockets
13,15,18-20,22,24MM Shallow Sockets
10,11,13,15,18-20,22,24,27&30MM Combination Wrenches
Snap Ring Pliers
Dead Blow Mallet
Pry Bar
Mechanics Gloves
Safety Glasses

For the parts, RockAuto.com is probably your best bet for the out right cheapest. A quick search generated the following;

Lower Ball Joint - MOOG Part # K80149 Problem Solver $18.37ea $36.74 total
Front Strut, Coil, Mount Assembly - MONROE Part # 181362 Econo-Matic $66.89ea $133.78 total
Front Upper Control Arm w/ Ball Joint & Bushings - DORMAN Part # 520285 & 520286 $32.79ea $65.58 total

I would recommend that you spend a little extra money and upgrade to the following parts;

Front Strut, Coil, Mount Assembly - MONROE Part # 171362 Quick-Strut $114.89ea $229.78 total
Front Upper Control Arms w/ Ball Joint & Bushings - MOOG Part # K80306 & K80308 Greasable Problem Solver $64.79ea $129.58 total

I would also recommend that you replace your sway bar bushings and end links while you are at this project, they are as follows;

Sway Bar Bushings - MOOG Part # K200331 $11.23 Total
Sway Bar End Links - MOOG Part # K80337 Problem Solver $27.99ea $55.98 total

For the Recommended Parts you are looking at $463.31 plus rear shocks or for the cheapest route $263.10 plus the rear shocks, which once you find the spec or determine the lift kit you have, we can help you find the best deal.

08screwCA

I get moog at cost since were a uni select dealer at work lol

FFBoomer519

iTrader: (2)

Nice!

stagger

To start off I want to say thanks to all of you, very cool all of you to take the time to point me in the right direction. I talked to another friend who thinks he has all the tools we need even the air compressor.

So I am going to do the job myself and save myself at least $500.00.

Again thx for the help and even giving me part numbers! I will start ordering parts today.