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1997 - 2003 Ford F150 General discussion on the Ford 1997 - 2003 F150 truck.

Lower ball joints???

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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 11:01 PM
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Default Lower ball joints???

Guys, I'm new to this forum.. Hope I post in the right place..... CAN i replace just the lower ***** joints on the control arm or do I have to get new lower control arm ????? Also, my shocks are shot after 45,000 miles.. What should I replace them with to give me a SMOOTH ride??? Thanks Mud
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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 11:26 PM
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got to replace control arm with the ball joint
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Old Apr 13, 2008 | 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by greenmudshark
Guys, I'm new to this forum.. Hope I post in the right place..... CAN i replace just the lower ***** joints on the control arm or do I have to get new lower control arm ????? Also, my shocks are shot after 45,000 miles.. What should I replace them with to give me a SMOOTH ride??? Thanks Mud
If you post more info on your truck.... year, model, we can provide more info.
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Old Apr 13, 2008 | 10:19 AM
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You have to replace the whole arm. If your lower ball joints are squeaking, you can simple drill a hole in the arm where the lower balljoint is, install a grease fitting and that will stop the squeak.
I had to do this recently to my truck because the lower balljoints started to squeak.
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Old Apr 13, 2008 | 10:21 AM
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if the joints are squeaking, they are already shot, grease will not do anything to repair the surface tolerances.
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Old Apr 13, 2008 | 11:23 AM
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On the bottom you can replace just the ball joint, and on the top you have to replace the whole controll arm.
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Old Apr 13, 2008 | 03:05 PM
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Ty is right,you can replace the lower ball joints but the uppers are not replaceable without replacing the control arms.
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Old Apr 13, 2008 | 09:03 PM
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Originally Posted by obusnizzle
if the joints are squeaking, they are already shot, grease will not do anything to repair the surface tolerances.
Not true. It fixed the squeak on my truck. Also, my father works for a Ford dealer and on trucks that are out of warranty they give people that option. Its not always that the joint is worn out. A lot of the time its just that the grease is worn out and installing grease fittings saves the owner of the vehicle hundreds of dollars.
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Old Apr 13, 2008 | 09:37 PM
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Guys..... Little info on my truck..It's a 2003 super crew 4x4 w/ 45,000 miles... I felt a "thunk thunk" when I went down the road... Had my brother jump on the front bumper several times before I saw the lower ball joint"jumping and squeeking"...... Soooooooo, I guess it is shot... Now I have to replace it. Mixed opinions here.....Who's right???? Thanks for all the info.... Mud
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Old Apr 13, 2008 | 10:48 PM
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Originally Posted by calvin
got to replace control arm with the ball joint
I am wrong ...you can replace just the lower ball joint.it is the top that you got to replace the arm.
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