Hey guys,

How hard are the lower ball joints to replace on a 94 f150 4x4. Its got the 302 if that makes a difference. Shop wants 536$ to replace them.

Thanks again

 

The hardest part, in my opinion, was getting the spindle off. Mine was rusted on pretty good. If you have had your hubs apart before, that's definitely a plus. I also rented the proper tool for removing and installing the joints from O'Reilly's.

 

If I remember correctly the lowers are the last to be removed, the uppers are removed before the lowers can be.

 

how long should it take? the shop says 5.5 hours also i have a feeling the place is full of ****. how do you guys check your ball joints? i checked them and the seem solid. i wedged a crowbar right where the ball joint is and couldnt pry it.

 

To check them you jack the tire up and then wiggle top to bottom to see if there is any movement.

 

yeah there solid. the only movement is the play there is on the bolt that goes through the lower part of the shock absorber

 

Well whether or not the shop is right, youhave to figure out. I'd get second opinion. As far as the R&R, do both while its apart, bearing to if you haven't ina while or are unsure of their condition. Special tools you will need are the 4X4 hub tool, about 40 bucks at a parts store, a Ball joint splitter (pickle fork) and of course the ball joint tool. You can rent them at some parts stores, or a machine shop and install the joints for you. If you get a Chiltons or Haynes book, it will lead you step by step through the process. Pay attention to the book cause the passenger axle shaft ( IIRC) does not just pull out of the pumpkin like the drivers side. Other than that should take you about 4 hours, at least it did for me, but my junk has 260K and a good amount of rust. Best of luck