Hi guys! So im a new member and I drive a 1997 Ford F-150 XLT. My truck has always been amazing but about a month ago I had a lot of work done and some things cost too much money so I have been holding off. I got the Front Brakes and Rotors replaced, The Rear wheel Cylinders replaced, the Left Rear brake shoe adjuster cable replaced, and had the Idler Arm replaced. Now the things they told me I still needed were a new Pitman arm, new shocks, as they are original and my truck has 132000 miles on it, Front Upper and Lower ball joints replaced, and Inner and Outer Tie Rod boots replaced.

Sorry that was a mouthful ha. So basically out of the things I did not do, which is the most pressing and how should I go about getting this all done, but not getting ripped off. Also I've noticed that the past few weeks, although they said the rear brakes were fine, they have been squealing and it sounds a bit like my front ones did before they started grinding metal on metal. This is really worrying to me. Also my truck makes a sound that sounds like some metal is loose or something. Its especially noticeable when I go from Park, to Drive or Reverse or any other gear. If anyone could help me with this, I would very much appreciate it!

 

HAHHAHAHA I think your getting ripped off..... Sorry.... But here is my advice if you deside to take it. How is your truck "riding" right now? Because no where in this did you say it was riding ruff... or squeking a lot...

As far as your front breaks are concerned... I wouldn't worry about it. But for an answer why it might be would be cheap pads... I don't know what kinda ceramic pads you got but if you got the cheapest ones you could find. They might sqeak. It doesn't mean anything bad just they are cheap. The reason breaks squeak is because there is an indicator piece of steel placed normally on the inside of the rotor.. So when the pad wears down it touches the rotor... it will also leave a grove... So check your rotors to see if there is a grove now appearing (which i doubt there will be)... if the is one take em back.

Shocks and upper and lower ball joints:
Don't get shocks unless you feel like your truck is riding rough... Dont get ball joints unless they are broken off or you cant stand the noise they make when your turn or hit bumps...

Tie Rods.... They wanted to only replace the boot ends to it? Or the whole tie rod? I wouldn't mess with it unless your alignment is off... If you can go down a paved road and take both hands of the steering wheel and it doesn't drastically pull one way or the other... Leave it.....

Transmission problems: When is the last time you had it serviced? If its not been to long.... Just take it to a transmission shop and ask a guy to test drive it for you.. Just make sure he isn't BS'n work.. If anything though i would always have most transmission work done by a professional.

 

dude your advice is awesome! so i got it done at this really big and well known ford dealer in LA called Galpin Ford. the truck rides great! the only thing is my rear breaks sound like they are squeaking and its noisy when im turning but thats it. The front brakes shoudl be good with brand new rotors and brakes as they said they put nice ones on,I love your advice about the shocks and tie rods. ya they bitched at me cuz they said how they were amazed my shocks were still original and they wanted to fix the inner and outer tie rod boots. im not sure if it was just the boots or the whole rod.my alignment seems great and ya when i have my hands off the steering wheel it stays straight and handles perfect. got it serviced like two months ago. So you think dont do anything with the tie rods and ball joints? Cuz i was skeptical too but im not an expert but I trust you.