I'm squeaky, so it's about that time. I'm vaguely familiar with the process, because my '00 Explorer had a very similiar suspension setup and I replaced the ball joints on that truck several times. It seemed like I was going through a set of ball joints a year on that truck at one point, it was horrible. I tried Moog, I tried Raybestos, I tried NAPA superawesomewhatevertheyhad, nothing seemed to last. I don't want to play that game again, and now that I'm older and (theoretically) smarter, it occurs to me that I never tried OEM. Is that the secret to long lasting ball joints, is to buy Motorcraft? If not Motorcraft, what do you all use?

And where do you get your OEM stuff? Are there any favorite online parts houses that offer a discount over what you pay at the dealership parts counter?

 

I find that Rock Auto has the best prices on OEM Motorcraft. The procedure should be the same as the explorer for the most part. The lowers seem to come out easier on the F150, probably because they are larger. Explorer lower ball joints are a bitch, I've done some.

 

By the way, I like MOOG ball joints because they are known for quality and can be greased. However if your torsion bars are turned too much, the ball joint will be ruined no matter what joint you use.

 

Never cranked a torsion bar in my life. I might turn up the bars on this F150 just to level it a touch, but I don't plan on maxing them out.

The Exploder lowers kicked my butt the first time I tried them, they were in there good. The uppers were a PITA too, lots of brake line and such in the way of getting a socket on the arms. Good to hear that it's easier on the F150.

 

Yes I remeber those uppers on one side...what a pain

 

MOOG all the way. just get something with fittings

 

So, definitely swap out the upper arms then? Or Moog lowers and OEM uppers?

 

I would go moog all around - I would bet that your past issues have more to do with the Explorer than the balljoint quality. Explorers are balljoint eaters.