Fordrocks689

Wanted to take a gander at my ballpoints today, debating if I should change them just for routine maintenance. I couldn't see them because they have a plastic shield around them....

Are these the factory ball joints?? Lol I hope not. I'm at 222k miles

Bell Blue Raider

There's really no way to tell if they're original from your post, but how long/ how many miles have you had your truck? You know they haven't been changed in that time.

From rockauto you could replace both upper and lower control arms for 100-200 depending on what brand you want.

*edit* I just changed mine at 232k and everything I took off was ford branded parts

02_Black_On_White

Do they have grease fittings? The originals don't.

Fordrocks689

No, no grease fittings, I have only put about 5k miles on it in the past year. Since I've owned it. I commute so I don't drive it... lol. I saw my tie rod ends, those need replacing. But yeah both my upper and lower ball joints have this sort of plastic case or shield around them with cuts down the plastic, kinda like when someone staples a paper printed AD at a school with tabs people can rip it off that has their phone number on it. It's too dark to get a picture now.

blupupher

iTrader: (2)

Those are OEM style.
They could be original, or could have been replaced with OEM and the shrouds replaced as well (I think mine ripped apart when I replaced mine @ 180,xxx miles).

Personally, I would not change them if they are not worn. But once one goes, I replace them all.

Fordrocks689

Yeah, I'm just going to wait until I rotate the tires or something because they block my inspection view now. Originally I wanted to get a spindle lift, but I couldn't live with my self taking everything apart and not replacing the ball joints if they needed it. So the lift is waiting until I can see what kinda shape they are in.

Jbrew

When Ford was doing my front end, it was all the same every time and zerk-less as the original stuff. Uppers still had the same plastic piece installed.